Nature-based intervention to improve mental health

A nature-based intervention to improve mental health: efficacy of an angling intervention for military veterans and emergency service personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder

Status

Recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN13593648

Enrollment

264

Registered

2024-06-19

Start date

2024-03-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-03-02

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Post-traumatic stress disorder Mental and Behavioural Disorders

Interventions

Participants engage in a 2-day/1-night social fishing event in a natural setting. Participants are randomised into either the fishing group or a waitlist control group (do nothing during primary data

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 100 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Military veterans and/or ESPs with PTSD symptoms measured using the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Not a military veteran 2. Not emergency services personnel 3. Participated in "Using angling to improve mental health in military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (ISRCTN43826813)" 4. Initial PCL5 score under 23

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. PTSD symptoms measured with the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) 2. Anxiety measured with the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) 3. Depression measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 4. Positive feelings of wellbeing measured with the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) All measured at 2 weeks pre, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks post-intervention	—

Measure

Time frame

1. PTSD symptoms measured with the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) 2. Anxiety measured with the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) 3. Depression measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 4. Positive feelings of wellbeing measured with the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) All measured at 2 weeks pre, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks post-intervention

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Loneliness assessed using the Short Version of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA-S) at 2 weeks pre, 2 weeks and 4 weeks post intervention 2. Expressed anger measured using the State–Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) at 2 weeks pre, 4 weeks, 6 months and 12 months post intervention 3. Impairment in general social functioning measured using the Work and Social Adjustment scale (WSAS) at 2 weeks pre intervention	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Loneliness assessed using the Short Version of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for Adults (SELSA-S) at 2 weeks pre, 2 weeks and 4 weeks post intervention 2. Expressed anger measured using the State–Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) at 2 weeks pre, 4 weeks, 6 months and 12 months post intervention 3. Impairment in general social functioning measured using the Work and Social Adjustment scale (WSAS) at 2 weeks pre intervention

—

Countries

England, United Kingdom

Contacts

Public ContactNicholas Cooper

ncooper@essex.ac.uk+44 (0)7791 518833

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Mar 14, 2026