Mountain hiking versus nature connection therapy based in Algund as climate therapy for couples

Algunder Nature and Climate therapy: green Exercise vs. natuRe connection - The ANKER-Study

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN43292449

Enrollment

120

Registered

2020-02-26

Start date

2019-03-25

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2023-04-10

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

Conditions

Couples who are overweight with a sedentary lifestyle Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine Overweight

Interventions

Particpants are randomized into one of two intervention groups: The hiking intervention involves five guided hiking tours with an altitude difference ranging from 300 – 700m in altitud

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Couples both aged from 50 to 65 years 2. Couples both with BMI between 25 and 30 3. Sedentary Lifestyle, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) score of <3.000 MET mins/week 4. Ability to participate in physical exercise (moderate intensive mountain hiking) as determined by the investigator

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Immunologically mediated chronic conditions or immunodeficiency 2. Severe respiratory disorders 3. Acute or untreated psychiatric disorders 4. Uncontrolled hypertension 5. Uncontrolled metabolic diseases 6. Acute infection or fever 7. Diagnosis of or treatment for malignant neoplastic disorders within the last 5 years 8. Arteriosclerotic event 10 cigarettes/day 14. Orthopedic contraindications for hiking 15. Medication intake >5mg/d Prednisone, Colchicine, Imuran, Methotrexate, Azathioprine, Cyclophosphamide or Cyclosporine 16. Intake of weight-loss drugs or preparations 17. Pregnancy

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Health-related quality of life is measured using short form 12 health survey (SF12) and EuroQol (EQ-5D) health status questionnaire at baseline, 7, 60 and 180 days 2. Quality of relationship is measured using relationship questionnaire (Partnerschaftsfragebogen; PFB) and problem list (Problemliste; PL) at baseline, 7, 60 and 180 days	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Body composition is measured using bio-impedance analysis (BIA) at baseline, 7 and 60 days 2. Cardiorespiratory fitness is measured using the Chester Step Test at baseline, 7 and 60 days 3. Balance is measured using the body stability check (MFT-S3) at baseline, 7 and 60 days 4. Inflammation is measured using using differential blood count and cytokine profile from serum or plasma at baseline, 7 and 60 days 5. Airway inflammation is measured using an exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) test at baseline, 7 and 60 days 6. Skin quality is measured by transepithelial water loss at baseline, 7 and 60 days 7. Nature connection is measured using the Nature relatedness scale (NRS), Flourishing Scale (FS-D), Connectedness to nature scale (CNS) at baseline, 7, 60 and 180 days 8. Quality of life measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and Beschwerdeliste at baseline, 7, 60 and 180 days 9. Mindfulness is measured using the Mindful attention awareness scale (MAAS) and health-related control belief questionnaire (GKÜ) at baseline, 7, 60 and 180 days	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Body composition is measured using bio-impedance analysis (BIA) at baseline, 7 and 60 days 2. Cardiorespiratory fitness is measured using the Chester Step Test at baseline, 7 and 60 days 3. Balance is measured using the body stability check (MFT-S3) at baseline, 7 and 60 days 4. Inflammation is measured using using differential blood count and cytokine profile from serum or plasma at baseline, 7 and 60 days 5. Airway inflammation is measured using an exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) test at baseline, 7 and 60 days 6. Skin quality is measured by transepithelial water loss at baseline, 7 and 60 days 7. Nature connection is measured using the Nature relatedness scale (NRS), Flourishing Scale (FS-D), Connectedness to nature scale (CNS) at baseline, 7, 60 and 180 days 8. Quality of life measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and Beschwerdeliste at baseline, 7, 60 and 180 days 9. Mindfulness is measured using the Mindful attention awareness scale (MAAS) and health-related control belief questionnaire (GKÜ) at baseline, 7, 60 and 180 days

—

Countries

Austria, Germany, Italy

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026