Nature prescription: can outdoor time ease student stress?
NCT ID NCT06633367
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether encouraging college students to spend more time outdoors improves their mental health. Over 1,500 students aged 18-24 from multiple universities, including historically Black and Hispanic-serving institutions, took part. Researchers measured distress, worry, and mood to understand how nature exposure can help address the youth mental health crisis.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
increasing time in nature
What this could lead to
If successful, this could show that simple nature exposure programs improve mental health and reduce disparities among college students.
What could go wrong
This is a completed observational study, not a treatment trial. Results may not apply broadly, and the intervention is minimal (encouraging outdoor time).
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina, 29631, United States
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Cleveland State University
Cleveland, Ohio, 44115, United States
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Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, United States
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Morgan State University
Baltimore, Maryland, 21251, United States
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North Carolina A&T University
Greensboro, North Carolina, 27411, United States
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University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland, 20742, United States
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University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Salisbury, Maryland, 21804, United States
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University of New Mexico
Albequerque, New Mexico, 87131, United States
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University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902, United States