GREENGAGE Pilot RCT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Nature on Prescription to Support Mental Ill Health (GREENGAGE): A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial and Process Evaluation (Please note that participant facing materials will be entitled 'Nature Based Activities to Support Mental Ill Health' as we want to keep the language clear and accessible)
IRAS ID
330630
Contact name
Ruth Garside
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 11 days
Research summary
Aim
This pilot trial will test a research plan for a future full randomised controlled trial (RCT) of nature-based activities to support people with mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety.
Background
There is increasing interest in whether taking part in activities in nature, such as gardening or conservation, can have positive impacts on people’s health and well-being. Few nature-based activities have been evaluated using the most robust methods. RCTs are widely accepted as the most reliable way to assess effectiveness.
Methods
Before undertaking a large trial, it is important to ensure the plans for that research are feasible, appropriate and acceptable, so that the outcomes of the RCT will be meaningful. A pilot is a small study using the proposed methods to test the research processes (for example, that we can recruit enough people and that questionnaires used are appropriate). Prior to conducting this pilot, we undertook a small feasibility study to refine some of our processes. As part of this, we consulted with two public involvement groups to help us design the current study. We will also involve members of the public in this study to guide what we do and our future plans.
We will collect statistical data, as well as speaking to participants and activity providers to understand what works well and what could be improved. We aim to recruit 84 people and randomise them to either receive a 6-week nature-based activity or to be in a comparison group that does not receive the intervention. Both groups will continue to receive usual care. Changes in mental health, wellbeing and loneliness will be compared between these two groups. People in the comparison group will then be offered the chance to take part in nature-based activities.
The outcome of this study will be a detailed plan for a future RCT which will assess the effectiveness and cost of nature-based activities for people with mental ill-health.
Dissemination
We will produce a plain language summary about what we found to be widely shared, in addition to writing up the results for publication in an academic journal.REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
25/WA/0125
Date of REC Opinion
28 Apr 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion