An interventional study of Moving Naturally Through Challenges group therapy in Depression and Anxiety Symptom, sponsored by Kansas State University. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-02-10.
Sponsored by Kansas State University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a nature-based physical activity group delivered by K-State Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for students experiencing depression and anxiety.
For this study, our research team partnered with two CAPS therapists to develop a new therapy group called Moving Naturally Through Challenges, which focused on nature-based physical activity as a tool for managing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Prior to group implementation, the researchers and therapists collaborated to develop a detailed implementation handbook with weekly lesson plans for the eight group therapy sessions. Next, we conducted a 2-hour training workshop with all CAPS staff to familiarize them with the content and empower them to refer students to the group.
This intervention was delivered as part of group therapy services offered by CAPS. Students seeking services at CAPS whose primary presenting concerns were depression and/or anxiety were encouraged to consider joining the Moving Naturally group. Interested students attended a 30-minute pre-group screening meeting with the group facilitators to ensure it was a good fit for their needs, and then signed a consent form to formalize their enrollment in the study.
The therapy group ran during the spring semester for 8 weeks. Each session lasted 1.5 hours, and included a weekly discussion topic, applied activities for students (e.g., goal setting and planning), and 30 minutes of nature-based physical activity. Activities included walking, hiking, yoga, outdoor games, resistance training, and sport-based activities that were moderate in intensity. Each participant received a Fitbit, yoga mat, resistance band, and water bottle to bring to each session. The group facilitators received training in group fitness instruction prior to leading the group sessions.
To assess changes in mental health outcomes, all students completed the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms upon intake at CAPS, and again upon completion of the therapy group. In addition, students rated their enjoyment of each group therapy session using the Group Session Rating Scale. Participants were asked to wear their Fitbit 24/7 (except when charging) throughout the 8-week duration of the study, and our research team is able to access their data using the Fitabase platform. Additional data and feedback were collected from the therapists who attended the training and facilitated the group.
8,577 studies on the registry are indexed under Depression; 1,720 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 6 is below the median of 81 across 7,063 interventional studies indexed under Depression.
Browse Depression studies →Kansas State University is the lead sponsor of 31 studies on the registry; 5 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Received the Moving Naturally Through Challenges group therapy intervention
Behavioral: Moving Naturally Through Challenges group therapy
The intervention included 8 weeks of group therapy. Each session was 90 minutes and incorporated 30 minutes of nature-based physical activity and 60 minutes of traditional group therapy with content focused on managing anxiety.
Also known as: nature-based physical activity therapy group
Attendance
The percentage of total group therapy sessions participants attended
Time frame: Weekly across the 8-week intervention
Group enjoyment and satisfaction
Assessed using the Group Session Rating Scale. Each of the 6 items is rated on a scale from 0-10, with higher scores indicating higher group enjoyment and satisfaction with group relationships, topics, approach, activity, skills, and overall.
Time frame: Weekly across the 8-week therapy group
Depression and anxiety
Measured via the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS). The depression, general anxiety, and social anxiety subscales are scored on a scale from 0-100, with higher scores indicating greater depression and anxiety.
Time frame: Baseline and week 8
Plan to share: Undecided — Data is private health information.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Ran from Feb 2025 to primary completion in Jun 2025, 4 months.
Of 3,468 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Depression, half reached primary completion within 21 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 10 and three quarters within 41. This study's 4 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 3,566 studies reached it within 21 months; a quarter within 9 and three quarters within 41.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is completed, as verified in Feb 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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