Nature walk beats treadmill for mental refreshment, study finds
NCT ID NCT07379164
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether a 30-minute walk outside in a green area helps people recover from mental tiredness and stress better than walking on a treadmill indoors. 80 healthy young adults were split into two groups: one walked outdoors in nature, the other walked indoors in a windowless room. Researchers measured mood, stress hormones, heart rate, and attention to see which environment was more restorative.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
80 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Mar 2025
- Finished
-
Dec 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 30 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Healthy adults aged 18 to 30 years. 2. University students or individuals with equivalent educational background. 3. Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing. 4. Willingness to comply with all study procedures and sign the informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Physical Health: History of cardiovascular disease, respiratory illness, or chronic pain that may affect Heart Rate Variability (HRV). 2. Mental Health: Diagnosis of clinical depression, anxiety disorders, or other psychiatric conditions. 3. Substance Use: Current smokers or individuals with a history of alcohol or drug abuse. 4. Medication: Recent use of any medications that affect the autonomic nervous system or endocrine function (e.g., steroids, beta-blockers, or hormonal medications) within the past month. 5. Cognitive/Physical Impairment: Any disability that prevents walking for 30 minutes or completing the Digit Span cognitive task.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Cognitive dysfunction are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
Locations
-
Wuhan Technical University
Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, China
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Scientists probe the nerve highways behind strength gains
- New syphilis test kits put to the test with donated blood
- Can a copy of a blockbuster arthritis drug match the original? scientists test it in healthy people
- Novo nordisk tests Brand-New molecule in humans for the first time
- Could a whiff of xenon replace the Pre-Surgery chill pill?
- New sedative candidate goes Head-to-Head with propofol in early human test