Ignite Creation Date:
2024-05-06 @ 8:21 PM
Last Modification Date:
2024-10-26 @ 3:26 PM
Study NCT ID:
NCT06351423
Status:
RECRUITING
Last Update Posted:
2024-07-03
First Post:
2024-04-02
Brief Title:
The Effectiveness of MIND Diet and Forest Bathing on Stress Reduction
Sponsor:
Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Organization:
Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Study Overview
Official Title:
The Effectiveness of MIND Diet and Forest Bathing on Reducing Psychological Stress Among Older Chinese A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Status:
RECRUITING
Status Verified Date:
2024-02
Last Known Status:
None
Delayed Posting:
No
If Stopped, Why?:
Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access:
False
If Expanded Access, NCT#:
N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status:
N/A
Acronym:
None
Brief Summary:
This clinical trial aims to explore the effectiveness of the Mediterranean DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay MIND diet and Forest Bathing FB in reducing psychological stress among older Chinese individuals The main questions it aims to answer are
1 what is the effect of FB on stress reduction
2 what is the effect of MIND on stress reduction
Participants of the MIND-FB group will participate will receive
1 FB a two-hour FB session on four consecutive weekends in a country park
2 MIND four nutrition sessions and adhere to the MIND diet for 12 weeks
Researchers will compare the FB and routine care groups to compare the effectiveness of MIND and FB in reducing psychological stress
1 what is the effect of FB on stress reduction
2 what is the effect of MIND on stress reduction
Participants of the MIND-FB group will participate will receive
1 FB a two-hour FB session on four consecutive weekends in a country park
2 MIND four nutrition sessions and adhere to the MIND diet for 12 weeks
Researchers will compare the FB and routine care groups to compare the effectiveness of MIND and FB in reducing psychological stress
Detailed Description:
This project is a pilot study to examine the effectiveness of Mediterranean DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay MIND Diet and Forest Bathing FB on reducing psychological stress In recent years mental health has become an increasingly important issue in Hong Kong More people in Hong Kong are seeking help for mental health issues such as anxiety depression and stress A 2020-2022 survey found that 12 of individuals aged 15 or above reported depression and 09 reported anxiety Females had higher prevalence rates than males and individuals aged 55-64 had the highest rates of depression 17 and anxiety 15 Conventional treatments have not been sufficient in managing or addressing chronic stress in individuals Several factors including dietary intake and forest visits have been reported to be associated with psychological health Research suggested that the MIND diets anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory components may reduce anxiety and depression and forest bathing FB can reduce physiological and psychological stress by decreasing sympathetic nervous system activity and having a restorative effect However it is unclear if these approaches are effective for older adults with mild to moderate levels of psychological stress particularly in the Chinese population Additionally there is a gap in the literature regarding the relationship between the MIND diet and psychological stress among the Chinese population Therefore it is important to investigate the potential impact of the MIND diet and forest bathing on psychological stress among older Chinese individuals
The objectives of this study will be to
1 examine and compare the therapeutic effects of the MIND-FB FB and routine care on psychological stress emotional states and physiological stress blood pressure and salivary cortisol level at 4 weeks
2 examine and compare the sustained effects of the MIND-FB FB and routine care on these psychological and physiological stress at 12 weeks
3 examine the therapeutic effect of the MIND-FB FB and routine care by controlling for other individual characteristics demographic and lifestyle characteristics health history and current medication use
In the short term the study will benefit participants by providing them with either the MIND diet and forest bathing intervention or routine care which is expected to reduce the level of psychological stress The study results will be published in international peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences In the medium term the project will offer evidence for local healthcare providers on the use of similar therapies for adults with psychological stress
Introduction
Psychological Stress has been defined as a state of mental strain distress or anxiety resulting from various challenging circumstances or events In recent years the coronavirus disease 2019 COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health worldwide with notable increases in the prevalence of anxiety and depression according to a scientific brief published by the World Health Organization The brief also indicated that young people women and individuals with chronic diseases were at higher risk of experiencing heightened levels of stress anxiety and depression In Hong Kong in addition to the impact of the pandemic individuals face high levels of stress and pressure in daily living such as high cost of living competitive work environment and family relationships which can result in burnout among individuals
The benefits of the MIND diet in promoting mental health
The Mediterranean - Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay MIND diet combines the Mediterranean and DASH diets and focuses on ten brain-healthy foods while restricting five detrimental food groups A review study suggested that the diet might positively impact older adults mental health due to the anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory properties of its components Specific nutrients such as long-chain n-3 fatty acids in fish and flavonoids in berries and green leafy vegetables exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that inhibited amyloid-beta Aβ formation which could cause brain atrophy Limiting the intake of certain foods such as butter margarine pastries sweets saturated fats and trans-fats could enhance blood-brain barrier function and mitigate Aβ aggregation These mechanisms may have a direct impact on brain health and indirectly affect psychological health
Several recent studies have examined the relationship between adherence to the MIND diet and mental health outcomes One case-control study found that high adherence to the MIND diet was associated with lower anxiety scores OR 003 and significantly reduced severity of anxiety disorders β-363 p0001 Another cross-sectional study found that the MIND diet was significantly associated with lower odds of depression OR062 and anxiety OR061 but not psychological stress OR057 However a cohort study did not find a significant association between MIND diet adherence and incident depression but did find reduced depression risk with the consumption of fruits and nuts and avoidance of fast or fried foods Additionally another cohort study found that the highest adherence group to the MIND diet had lower rates of depressive symptoms over time compared to the low adherence group
The effectiveness of FB in promoting mental health
In recent years the Japanese Korean and Taiwanese governments have promoted forest bathing as a therapeutic practice for urban residents This practice involves intentional exposure to forested areas within the city to promote relaxation and well-being Forest bathing also known as Shinrinyoku in Japan is a sensory experience that entails immersing oneself in natural surroundings and mindfully engaging all five senses Theories such as Kaplan and Kaplans Attention Restoration Theory ART and Ulrichs Psycho-evolutionary Stress Reduction Theory PET suggested that exposure to natural environments could promote positive mood reduce stress restore cognitive resources and improve mental functioning Empirical studies have found that forest bathing has a direct effect on decreasing sympathetic nervous system activity and stress hormone levels leading to a relaxed state Scientific literature reviews have suggested the therapeutic effect of forest bathing on stress-related disorders including depression anxiety attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders ADHD and stress Therefore forest bathing is considered a useful practice for reducing symptoms of stress and promoting relaxation and well-being
The research team conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial RCT to test the therapeutic effect in three groups the MIND diet plus FB MIND-FB group the MIND group and the control group of older Chinese adults with hypertension The MIND-FB group showed significant decreases in the score of state -528 and trait anxiety level -428 total emotional state -628 tension-anxiety -22 fatigue -14 anger -124 and confusion -128 after the 4 weeks of intervention However it is unclear if these approaches are effective for older adults with mild to moderate levels of psychological stress particularly in the Chinese population in reducing psychological and physiological stress Additionally there is a gap in the literature regarding the relationship between the MIND diet and psychological stress among the Chinese population Further study is needed to investigate the potential impact of the MIND diet and forest bathing on psychological stress among older Chinese individuals This randomized controlled trial will target older individuals between the ages of 50 and 75 who are at higher risk of mental illness and will investigate the effectiveness of the MIND diet and forest bathing in reducing psychological and physiological stress We hypothesise that both interventions will offer significant mental health benefits to older Chinese individuals with a greater reduction in psychological stress compared to physiological stress
The objectives of this study will be to
1 examine and compare the therapeutic effects of the MIND-FB FB and routine care on psychological stress emotional states and physiological stress blood pressure and salivary cortisol level at 4 weeks
2 examine and compare the sustained effects of the MIND-FB FB and routine care on these psychological and physiological stress at 12 weeks
3 examine the therapeutic effect of the MIND-FB FB and routine care by controlling for other individual characteristics demographic and lifestyle characteristics health history and current medication use
In the short term the study will benefit participants by providing them with either the MIND diet and forest bathing intervention or routine care which is expected to reduce the level of psychological stress The study results will be published in international peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences In the medium term the project will offer evidence for local healthcare providers on the use of similar therapies for adults with psychological stress
Introduction
Psychological Stress has been defined as a state of mental strain distress or anxiety resulting from various challenging circumstances or events In recent years the coronavirus disease 2019 COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health worldwide with notable increases in the prevalence of anxiety and depression according to a scientific brief published by the World Health Organization The brief also indicated that young people women and individuals with chronic diseases were at higher risk of experiencing heightened levels of stress anxiety and depression In Hong Kong in addition to the impact of the pandemic individuals face high levels of stress and pressure in daily living such as high cost of living competitive work environment and family relationships which can result in burnout among individuals
The benefits of the MIND diet in promoting mental health
The Mediterranean - Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay MIND diet combines the Mediterranean and DASH diets and focuses on ten brain-healthy foods while restricting five detrimental food groups A review study suggested that the diet might positively impact older adults mental health due to the anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory properties of its components Specific nutrients such as long-chain n-3 fatty acids in fish and flavonoids in berries and green leafy vegetables exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that inhibited amyloid-beta Aβ formation which could cause brain atrophy Limiting the intake of certain foods such as butter margarine pastries sweets saturated fats and trans-fats could enhance blood-brain barrier function and mitigate Aβ aggregation These mechanisms may have a direct impact on brain health and indirectly affect psychological health
Several recent studies have examined the relationship between adherence to the MIND diet and mental health outcomes One case-control study found that high adherence to the MIND diet was associated with lower anxiety scores OR 003 and significantly reduced severity of anxiety disorders β-363 p0001 Another cross-sectional study found that the MIND diet was significantly associated with lower odds of depression OR062 and anxiety OR061 but not psychological stress OR057 However a cohort study did not find a significant association between MIND diet adherence and incident depression but did find reduced depression risk with the consumption of fruits and nuts and avoidance of fast or fried foods Additionally another cohort study found that the highest adherence group to the MIND diet had lower rates of depressive symptoms over time compared to the low adherence group
The effectiveness of FB in promoting mental health
In recent years the Japanese Korean and Taiwanese governments have promoted forest bathing as a therapeutic practice for urban residents This practice involves intentional exposure to forested areas within the city to promote relaxation and well-being Forest bathing also known as Shinrinyoku in Japan is a sensory experience that entails immersing oneself in natural surroundings and mindfully engaging all five senses Theories such as Kaplan and Kaplans Attention Restoration Theory ART and Ulrichs Psycho-evolutionary Stress Reduction Theory PET suggested that exposure to natural environments could promote positive mood reduce stress restore cognitive resources and improve mental functioning Empirical studies have found that forest bathing has a direct effect on decreasing sympathetic nervous system activity and stress hormone levels leading to a relaxed state Scientific literature reviews have suggested the therapeutic effect of forest bathing on stress-related disorders including depression anxiety attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders ADHD and stress Therefore forest bathing is considered a useful practice for reducing symptoms of stress and promoting relaxation and well-being
The research team conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial RCT to test the therapeutic effect in three groups the MIND diet plus FB MIND-FB group the MIND group and the control group of older Chinese adults with hypertension The MIND-FB group showed significant decreases in the score of state -528 and trait anxiety level -428 total emotional state -628 tension-anxiety -22 fatigue -14 anger -124 and confusion -128 after the 4 weeks of intervention However it is unclear if these approaches are effective for older adults with mild to moderate levels of psychological stress particularly in the Chinese population in reducing psychological and physiological stress Additionally there is a gap in the literature regarding the relationship between the MIND diet and psychological stress among the Chinese population Further study is needed to investigate the potential impact of the MIND diet and forest bathing on psychological stress among older Chinese individuals This randomized controlled trial will target older individuals between the ages of 50 and 75 who are at higher risk of mental illness and will investigate the effectiveness of the MIND diet and forest bathing in reducing psychological and physiological stress We hypothesise that both interventions will offer significant mental health benefits to older Chinese individuals with a greater reduction in psychological stress compared to physiological stress
Study Oversight
Has Oversight DMC:
None
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?:
False
Is a FDA Regulated Device?:
False
Is an Unapproved Device?:
None
Is a PPSD?:
None
Is a US Export?:
None
Is an FDA AA801 Violation?:
None