Nature-based Outdoor Activities for Promoting Stress Resilience in Employees
Nature-based Outdoor Activities for Promoting Stress Resilience in Employees
The goal of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to assess the impact of a nature-based workplace intervention on stress resilience in full-time employees in Hong Kong.
The main question it aims to answer is: Does a nature-based group activity intervention improve stress resilience in employees?
Researchers will compare the intervention group (participants who attend three nature-based group sessions) to the control group (participants who receive no intervention and continue their usual routines) to see if the nature-based activities lead to greater improvements in stress resilience compared to no intervention.
Participants will complete baseline measurements (questionnaires, blood pressure, and heart rate variability) one week before the first session.
If assigned to the intervention group: Attend three one-hour group sessions at a nearby park (once every two weeks, 8:00-9:00 AM) involving mindful walking, gentle movement, nature observation, breathing exercises, and group reflection
If assigned to the control group: Continue their usual daily routines with no specific activities
Complete follow-up assessments (same measurements as baseline): immediately after the second session and one week after the third session
Primary measurement: HRV Secondary measurements: Blood pressure, Perceived stress scale (PSS) and the Difficulties in emotion regulation scale (DERS).
Participants:
The participants of this study will be recruited from full-time employees at diverse corporate settings in Hong Kong. The sample size was determined using G*Power software. With a medium effect size (f = 0.25), an alpha level of 0.05, a desired power of 0.80, and a correlation among repeated measures of 0.50, the required total sample size was calculated to be 34. Accounting for an anticipated 20% attrition rate, the investigator aims to recruit 43 participants.
Study procedure:
This study uses a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the impact of the workplace intervention on stress resilience in employees. To ensure allocation concealment, randomization will be performed by a third party (a program instructor who was not involved in participant recruitment or outcome assessment). Participants and researchers will be blinded to group assignment. The experimental procedure will be explained to potential participants in a recruitment poster, which required them to send their informed consent before participating. All participants will be invited to complete baseline measurements one week before the start of the first intervention session. Baseline measurements will take approximately 15-20 mins. Once the participants complete the questionnaire, the investigator will ask them to measure BP and HRV. All measurements will be taken after a 5-minute rest period in a seated position with back support, feet flat on the floor, and no talking. Participants will complete follow-up assessments at three time points using the same measures as at baseline (T1): T2 (immediately after the second session) and T3 (one week after the third session).
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: