Nature Based Therapy With Mindful Walks in Urban Coastal Settings for Metabolic Syndrome - Barcelona (Spain)

Launched by BARCELONA INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH · Sep 30, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The NATURE-MET-B study in Barcelona is exploring how spending time in nature, specifically through mindful walks along the coast, can help improve the health and well-being of people with metabolic syndrome, a condition that can lead to heart disease and diabetes. The study aims to see if this nature-based therapy can enhance the quality of life and reduce physical stress in participants who usually don't engage much with nature. Similar studies will also take place in Padua, Italy, and Salzburg, Austria, focusing on different natural environments.

To join the study, participants need to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and lead a mostly inactive lifestyle, meaning they don't get much exercise. They should also be infrequent users of nature, meaning they don't spend a lot of time outdoors. Participants will need to use a smartphone and be able to understand Spanish or Catalan. Those with serious health issues or certain conditions may not be eligible. If you participate, you can expect to take part in walks in beautiful outdoor settings, which may help improve your health while also enjoying the benefits of nature.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• * Medical diagnosis of metabolic syndrome according to the ATPIII (Adult Treatment Panel III of the National Cholesterol Education Program) criteria. According to the ATP III definition, metabolic syndrome is present if at least three of the following five criteria are met (NCEP, 2001):
• • Abdominal fat distribution: waist circumference \>102 cm (men), \>88 cm (women)
• • Serum triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL
• • HDL cholesterol: \<40 mg/dL (men), \<50 mg/dL (women)
• • Blood pressure: ≥130/≥85 mmHg
• • Fasting glucose: ≥110 mg/dL
• • Sedentary/inactive lifestyle: Category 1 (low physical activity) of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF) (International Physical Activity Questionnaire, 2005)
• • Low nature use (\"infrequent users of nature\"): Categories 1, 2, and 3 of the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment Survey (MENE) - \"Nature use\" question (Natural England, 2020)
• • Smartphone users
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Acute contraindications
• • - Malignant hypertension
• • Contraindications or differential diagnosis
• • Severe respiratory or pulmonary disease (COPD, severe asthma, emphysema)
• • Arteriosclerotic incident (e.g., myocardial infarction) \< 6 months ago
• • Heart failure
• • Uncontrolled metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes mellitus)
• • Diagnosis or treatment of a malignant disease \< 3 years ago
• • Chronic immunological diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)
• • Orthopedic conditions that prevent participation in excursions
• • Factors that prevent or hinder participation in the intervention program
• • Alcohol or substance abuse (except nicotine)
• • Pregnancy
• • Insufficient knowledge of Spanish or Catalan (written and spoken/questionnaires)
• • Factors that prevent self-management
• • Moderate to severe depression (score \< 13 points on the WHO-5)
• • Other untreated severe psychiatric illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia)
• • Taking certain medications
• • Use of weight loss supplements
• • Participation in another clinical intervention trial
• • Participation in therapeutic weight loss programs