Nature-Focused Mindfulness and Spiritual Well-being Among Adults with Moderate Prolonged Grief Symptoms

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF TWENTE · Mar 24, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether a program that combines mindfulness practices with time spent in nature can help adults who are experiencing ongoing grief after losing a loved one. The researchers want to find out if this nature-focused mindfulness approach can improve spiritual well-being and reduce feelings of grief compared to other activities, like simply noticing nature or waiting without any intervention. Participants will be asked to take part in either a mindfulness program or a nature observation group over two weeks and will keep a daily diary about their experiences. They will also complete assessments before, immediately after, and a few months after the program to track any changes in their grief and mental well-being.

To join this trial, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have lost a loved one at least six months prior, and report moderate grief symptoms. Participants should be able to move outdoors daily for about 30 minutes, even if they need some assistance. They should also speak Dutch and have access to the internet. This study is not yet recruiting, but it aims to help those grieving by exploring how nature and mindfulness might support their healing process.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Be a family member, spouse, or friend of a person who died at least 6 months prior to study enrollment;
• • Be ≥18 years of age;
• • Report moderate subclinical grief (score range from 47-70) based on the Traumatic Grief Inventory-Self Report Plus (TGI-SR+, Lenferink, Eisma, et al., 2022);
• • Have access to a natural environment suitable for the intervention;
• • Be willing and able to move in nature daily (with or without mobility assistance devices) and engage in brief mindfulness practices;
• • Have sufficient Dutch language proficiency;
• • Have access to Internet and mobile applications.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Acute suicide risk assessed in the screening step;
• • A score lower than 47 or higher than 70 on TGI-SR+;
• • Physical limitations that prevent moving outdoors for 30 minutes daily, even with mobility assistance devices.