Comparison of Two Park-Based Activities on Emotional Well-Being in Adults With Mobility Impairments

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · Jul 27, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how two different activities in a park can affect the emotional well-being of adults who have mobility impairments. Over a 10-week period, participants will spend 5 weeks engaging in sensory activities, like enjoying the sights and sounds of the park while mostly sitting, and then 5 weeks doing physical activities, such as wheeling or walking on a trail in the park. The goal is to see which type of activity has a more positive impact on their mood and feelings.

To be eligible for this study, participants need to be between 18 and 60 years old, have a non-progressive mobility impairment (like spinal cord injury or amputation), and be able to use a manual wheelchair independently on flat ground. They should also be willing to participate in park visits during both the Fall and Spring seasons. The study is not currently recruiting participants, but it will provide a unique opportunity for those who qualify to engage in enjoyable activities while potentially improving their emotional health.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • (1) ages between 18 and 60 years
• • (2) non-progressive mobility impairment who use a manual wheelchair (e.g., SCI, transverse myelitis, amputation, spina bifida)
• • (3) able to propel a manual wheelchair outdoors on even terrain independently
• • (4) commit to complete the 5-week park visit program in both Fall and Spring seasons.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • (1) bald or not willing to donate a hair sample
• • (2) weekly park visit to an urban park during the last 3 months
• • (3) weekly moderate intensity exercise regimen during the last 3 months
• • (4) having an endocrine disorder (that can affect cortisol levels
• • (5) taking oral corticosteroids
• • (6) receiving hormonal therapy
• • (7) unstable medical condition that prevents outdoor moderate intensity activity
• • (8) inadequate comprehension and verbal communication in English (i.e., inability to express basic needs, participate in measurement of outcomes, or provide consent to participate in the study)
• • (9) visual impairment that cannot be corrected using assistive devices