An interventional study of Birdwatching Intervention in Stress, Psychologic, sponsored by Universidad Industrial de Santander. Completed at 2 sites in Colombia. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 100 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-16.
Sponsored by Universidad Industrial de Santander · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The goal of this study is to learn if birdwatching can reduce stress in university students. It will also explore students; experiences with the intervention. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does birdwatching reduce students perceived stress levels? What are the experiences of students who participate in the birdwatching intervention? Why do some students drop out of the study? Researchers will compare a group of students who participate in birdwatching outings to a control group that does not receive the intervention to determine if birdwatching is effective in reducing stress.
Participants will:
Either participate in birdwatching outings or be in a control group with no intervention Complete a perceived stress scale (PSS-10) to measure their stress levels Take part in semi-structured interviews to discuss their experiences with the intervention or their reasons for dropping out of the study
Exclusion Criteria:
The intervention arm will involve participants, divided into four subgroups, taking part in field trips for visual and auditory birdwatching. These trips will take place every 15 days over three sessions, guided by an expert in the subject. Students will be provided with binoculars and guidance on the use of apps to identify observed birds. Additionally, WhatsApp groups will be created for each subgroup, where videos and audios of birds will be shared, along with weekly challenges to reinforce exposure to the intervention. The outings will take place in natural environments such as coffee farms and forests near Bucaramanga.
Other: Birdwatching Intervention
The control group will not receive any intervention related to birdwatching. Participants in this group will continue with their usual activities without taking part in the field trips or complementary activities such as watching videos or listening to bird sounds.
Description: Participants will attend three birdwatching sessions, where they will enjoy direct contact with nature in selected environments such as forests and farms. These outings will be guided by an expert, who will also introduce participants to the use of binoculars and tools for identifying the birds observed during the excursions. During the outings, participants will learn the body scan technique, which will help them focus on physical sensations without making judgments. This exercise will encourage them to pay attention to details such as muscle tension, temperature, or surface contact, allowing them to be more present and connected to their surroundings during the birdwatching sessions. In addition to the in-person outings, participants will receive digital materials via WhatsApp to complement the intervention.Birdwatching Intervention
Adherence to the intervention
To determine adherence to the intervention, the proportion of students who successfully completed the number of sessions and challenges outlined in the intervention protocol will be calculated, as well as the number of university students who dropped out of the intervention
Time frame: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group
The Perceived Stress Scale
Perceived Stress Scale: (PSS-10). This instrument measures the level of perceived stress during the last month. It consists of 10 questions with a five-option Likert-type response format. The score ranges from 0 to 40. A higher score indicates a higher level of perceived stress.
Time frame: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7)
The GAD-7 is used to measure anxiety symptoms. It consists of 7 items, each rated on a scale from 0 to 3, with total scores ranging from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate more severe anxiety symptoms.
Time frame: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
The PHQ-9 is a self-report outcome questionnaire used to screen for depressive symptoms. It consists of 9 items. Responses are scored on a scale from 0 to 3, with total scores ranging from 0 to 27. Higher scores indicate more severe depression.
Time frame: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
It consists of 19 self-administered questions, rated on a scale from 0 to 3, generating an overall score from 0 to 21. Higher overall scores represent worse subjective sleep quality.
Time frame: From enrollment to the three follow-up evaluations at 6, 9, and 17 weeks after assignment to the intervention or control group
Feasibility- implementation of the intervention
The Feasibility of Intervention measure gauges how practical and possible it is to implement an intervention within a given setting. Semi-structured interviews with the interveners.
Time frame: From inclusion in the study until the last follow up at 17 weeks
Feasibility - Enrollment
Enrollment rates calculated as percentage of enrolled vs interested participants
Time frame: From the first day of study recruitment until the date of the last participant to complete the intervention, assessed up to 17 weeks
Experiance
Semi-structured interviews with study participants.
Time frame: From inclusion in the study until the last follow up at 17 weeks
Participant Attrition Rate
Percentage of enrolled participants who withdraw or are lost to follow-up before completion of study procedures. Unit of Measure: Percentage.
Time frame: Up to 17 weeks after study start
Overall compliance
Number of participants that completed all questionnaires at baseline, 6 weeks, 9 weeks and 17 weeks
Time frame: From day of recruitment of the first participant to day of the last follow-up meeting of the last participant, assessed up to 17 weeks.
Plan to share: No — All IPD that underlie results in a publication
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is completed, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Universidad Industrial de Santander