Cancer-related Fatigue and Symptom Clusters - Effects of Virtual, Imagined and Real-life Nature-based Therapy in Cancer Survivors
This study is exploring different ways cancer survivors can manage tiredness and improve their overall wellbeing after treatment. It compares three nature-based approaches: being in a real forest (forest bathing), experiencing a virtual reality forest, or imagining a forest scene. A group observing these treatments will also be on a waiting list. Each activity lasts 30 minutes, once a week, for eight weeks. Researchers hope to see which method, if any, helps with symptoms and improves daily life for people who have had cancer.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Many people who have completed cancer treatment find they still feel very tired, a condition often called cancer-related fatigue. This tiredness can really affect daily life and how well you feel.
This research study wants to see if spending time with nature, or even just imagining it, can make a difference. The study will compare three different ways of connecting with nature: taking part in 'forest bathing' (where you mindfully spend time in a real forest), experiencing a similar forest scene using virtual reality, or using guided imagination to picture yourself in a forest. Researchers will compare these experiences with a group of people who are on a waiting list during the study.
The main goal is to find out if any of these nature-based activities can help cancer survivors feel less tired and improve their quality of life. Each activity will involve different senses, like seeing, smelling, hearing, and touching, to make the experience as rich as possible.
Key takeaways
- This study is for cancer survivors experiencing tiredness.
- It tests nature-based therapies like forest bathing or virtual reality.
- Each session is 30 minutes, once a week for 8 weeks.
- Aims to improve fatigue and quality of life.
- You might be on a waiting list during the study.
- It involves different sensory experiences (sight, smell, sound, touch).
Who may be eligible?
To join this study, you must have finished your cancer treatment, though you might still be taking some long-term hormone therapy. A key part is that you should be experiencing noticeable tiredness because of your cancer. This will be checked by asking you a couple of questions about how exhausted and impaired you feel.
It’s also important that you're not planning to start any new cancer treatments in the next six months. You should be able to avoid smoking for 15 minutes before each session, as this could affect how well you smell the natural scents. Finally, you'll need to give your written permission to take part.
Some things that would prevent you from joining include uncontrolled severe depression, asthma (due to possible irritation from inhaled scents), allergies to pine or citrus, a complete loss of smell, or a history of motion sickness or seizures (especially concerning virtual reality). If you have severe vision or hearing problems that aren't corrected by glasses or hearing aids, or if you're already in another similar study, you wouldn't be able to participate.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Have I finished my main cancer treatment?
- Do I feel often tired because of my cancer (more than a 4 on a scale of 0-10)?
- Am I NOT planning any new cancer treatments in the next 6 months?
- Do I NOT have severe, uncontrolled depression or severe asthma?
- Do I NOT have a severe loss of smell, or motion sickness that doesn't improve?
- Am I willing to avoid smoking for 15 minutes before sessions?
What does participation involve?
If you join this study, you would be randomly assigned to one of four groups: real-life forest bathing, virtual reality forest, guided imagery of a forest, or a waiting list group. Each active treatment involves a 30-minute session once a week for eight weeks. You'll have different assessments before, during, and after the 8-week period to see how you're feeling and how the intervention might be affecting your symptoms and quality of life. The total duration of active participation will be 8 weeks, with follow-up assessments.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (2)
- Dr med. Marcela WinklerVerified postcodeStuttgart, Germany
- PD Dr. Claudia LöfflerVerified postcodeWürzburg, Germany
Common questions
What is forest bathing?
Forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, means spending time mindfully in a forest environment, using all your senses to connect with nature.
What is virtual reality forest bathing?
This involves wearing a special headset to experience a computer-generated or filmed forest environment, making you feel immersed in nature.
What is guided imagery?
Guided imagery is a technique where someone guides you through imagining peaceful and detailed scenes, in this case, a forest, to promote relaxation and wellbeing.
Will I have to travel for this study?
If you are in the 'real-life forest bathing' group, you would need to travel to a forest location. Other groups might involve sessions at a clinic or a specific location for virtual reality/imagery.
Can I still smoke if I join?
You'd need to avoid smoking for at least 15 minutes before your sessions, especially for the groups that involve smelling natural scents, as this can affect your ability to smell them properly.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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