Effects of Nature and Forest Therapy in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Charite University, Berlin, Germany100 enrolled

Overview

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of regular forest therapy under guidance of a licensed nature therapist on patients with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risks

It is assumed that nature and forest experience has sustainable benefits for the physical and mental health of individuals with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk profile. Especially co-therapeutic effects in terms of resilience and salutogenesis might effectively and sustainably promoted by nature and forest therapy. The main objective of this study is to measure the effects of nature and forest therapy in subjects with manifest metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors. The intervention is a stay in the nature of the Düppeler Forest (Berlin-Wannsee) under the guidance of trained nature guides (90 minutes, 1x/week over 2 months), who teach exercises on the perception of nature and the connection between nature and health, movement and mindfulness. Subjects are also motivated to experience forest nature as regularly as possible (recommended ≥ 30 minutes daily). Participants of the control group will be offered a later participation in the therapy program after completion of the last study visit after 4 months (waiting list control group).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

100

Conditions

Metabolic Syndrome, Protection Against

Interventions

Forest Therapy (Düppeler Forst - Berlin-Wannsee)BEHAVIORAL

Forest Therapy means mindful visits in nature, actively perceiving the flora and fauna

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 70 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Definition of Metabolic Syndrome according to the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF): * waist circumference: at least 94 cm for men, at least 80 cm for women * plus at least two of the following risk factors: * fasting blood glucose levels of \> 100 mg/dl (\> 5.6 mmol/l) measured in blood plasma or diagnosed diabetes mellitus * elevated triglycerides \> 150 mg/dl (\> 1.7 mmol/l) or therapy already initiated to lower triglycerides * low HDL cholesterol: \< 40 mg/dl (\< 1.05 mmol/l) in men and \< 50 mg/dl (\< 1.25 mmol/l) in women or already initiated therapy to increase HDL * Hypertension (from \> 130 mmHg systolic and \> 85 mmHg diastolic) or already treated hypertension Exclusion Criteria: * Serious acute or chronic illnesses * Immobility or limitation of mobility due to orthopedic, neurological or other medical cause * Participation in another study * Serious mental illness * Pregnancy and lactation

Locations (1)

Charité Hochschulambulanz für Naturheilkunde am Immanuel Krankenhaus

Berlin, Germany

RECRUITING

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

• Final sum score of cardiovascular risk profile (overweight, blood pressure, blood lipids, blood glucose) according to Wiley/Carrington

Time frame: Date of Inclusion (Baseline), after 8 weeks and after 16 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

• Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)

Individual scores on the PSS can range from 0 to 40 with higher scores indicating higher perceived•stress. Higher score meaning more stress

Time frame: Date of Inclusion (Baseline), after 8 weeks and after 16 weeks]

• Short Form 12 Health Survey (SF-12)

The Short Form (12) Health Survey is a 12-item, patient-reported survey of patient health.The World Health Organisation- Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) is a short self-reported measure of current mental wellbeing. score ranging from 0-5 for each question, lower score meaning a better outcome.

Time frame: Date of Inclusion (Baseline), after 8 weeks and after 16 weeks]

• Physical complaints (B-LR - Beschwerden-Liste)

the Complaints List - (B-LR) is a self-assessment procedure for recording subjective impairment due to physical or general complaints, covering the entire spectrum from no complaints to severe impairment. Two parallel forms (B-LR and B-LR') are available, each consisting of 20 items, lower score meaning a better outcome

Time frame: Date of Inclusion (Baseline), after 8 weeks and after 16 weeks]

• Flourishing Scale (FS-D)

The Flourishing Scale is a brief 8-item summary measure of the respondent's self-perceived success in important areas such as relationships, self-esteem, purpose, and optimism. The scale provides a single psychological well-being score, ranging from 8-56, higher score meaning a better outcome

Time frame: Date of Inclusion (Baseline), after 8 weeks and after 16 weeks]

Central Contacts

Miriam Rösner

CONTACT

00493080505682 m.roesner@immanuel.de

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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