Randomized clinical trial on the influence of intentional and indirect contact with nature on the immune response and affective states in people aged 50 years or older.
Interaction with nature creates a state of physical relaxation, helping the individual to manage stress and promote health. Along with the ability to reduce stress, nature has been shown to improve immune function in some specific environments. Science already proves that stress conditions affect the immune capacity, generating pathological immune responses and inflammatory responses inappropriate. Therefore, if contact with nature is capable of reducing stress, through this study can find manifestations of improvement of the functions immunological. This clinical trial aims to analyze intentional (Forest Bathing) and indirect contact (e-NatPOEM) with nature. After informed consent form, participants will be randomized to the study arms. Will be evaluated cells and enzymes of the of the immune system and affective states immediately before the intervention, 30 minutes post intervention, and within 48 hours and four weeks after the intervention. The hypothesis of our study is that both nature-based interventions will stimulate the immune system and will improve affective states. However, intentional direct contact with nature will have superior results than indirect contact.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
54
The participants will watch a video with validated images of nature from e-Nature Positive Emotions Photography Database (e-NatPOEM). Four fifteen-minute sessions will be held on four consecutive days, totaling 1 hour.
The participants will take a light walk in a park with green spaces guided by research team in a single 1-hour session, with an emphasis on sense-directed appreciation.
Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein
São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Change from Baseline Concentration of Cytokines in Soluble Immune Profile at 30 minutes post intervention, within 48 hours post intervention and within 4 weeks post intervention.
Quantify the change from baseline pre intervention in concentration of cytokines in plasma pg/ml (GM-CSF, IFNγ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 (p70), IL-3, IL-17A, IL-21, IL-23, ITAC, MIP-1α, MIP 1β, MIP -3 and TNF-α) in comparison the concentrations between the periods of 30 minutes post intervention, within 48 hours post intervention and within 4 weeks post intervention
Time frame: immediately pre intervention, 30 minutes post intervention, within 48 hours post intervention and within 4 weeks post intervention
Change from baseline percentage and absolute number levels of Cellular Immune Profile at 30 minutes post intervention, within 48 hours post intervention and within 4 weeks post intervention
Quantify the changes from baseline pre intervention of frequencies in percentage of cells and absolute number in the blood of the subpopulation of lymphocytes and NK and their memory status within the period of 30 minutes post intervention, 48 hours and 4 weeks post intervention
Time frame: immediately pre intervention, 30 minutes post intervention, within 48 hours post intervention and within 4 weeks post intervention.
Change from baseline percentage and absolute number levels of Cellular Immune Profile (others) at 30 minutes post intervention, within 48 hours and within 4 weeks post intervention
To evaluate changes from baseline pre intervention of frequencies, percentage of cells positive for these biomarkers and intensity of expression in the pointed cells. Inhibiting, activating, effector and lytic molecules during the period of 30 minutes post intervention, within 48 hours and within 4 weeks post intervention.
Time frame: immediately pre intervention, 30 minutes post intervention, within 48 hours post intervention and within 4 weeks post intervention.
Change from baseline affective states at 30 minutes post intervention, within 48 hours post intervention and within 4 weeks post intervention.
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Will be applied the Profile of Mood States - POMS. It is one of the most used instruments in psychology to assess the states emotions and mood states, as well as the variation associated with them. Assesses six transient mood states: tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue and mental confusion. Each item can be rated on a Likert-type frequency scale of sensations, ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely). Scores are not applicable to this scale.
Time frame: immediately pre intervention, 30 minutes post intervention, within 48 hours post intervention and within 4 weeks post intervention.