OUTdoor Swimming as a nature-based Intervention for DEpression (OUTSIDE): study protocol for a feasibility randomised control trial comparing an outdoor swimming intervention to usual care for adults experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of depression

Abstract

Background Depression is common and the prevalence increasing worldwide; at least 1 in 10 people will experience depression in their lifetime. It is associated with economic costs at the individual, healthcare and societal level. Recommended treatments include medication and psychological therapies. However, given the long waiting times, and sometimes poor concordance and engagement with these treatments, a greater range of approaches are needed. Evidence for the potential of outdoor swimming as an intervention to support recovery from depression is emerging, but randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating clinical and cost-effectiveness are lacking. This study seeks to investigate the feasibility of conducting a definitive superiority RCT, comparing an 8-session outdoor swimming course offered in addition to usual care compared to usual care only, in adults who are experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of depression. Feasibility questions will examine recruitment and retention rates, acceptability of randomisation and measures, and identify the primary outcome measure that will inform the sample size calculation for a definitive full-scale RCT. This study will also explore potential facilitators and barriers of participation through evaluation questionnaires, focus-group discussions and interviews. Methods/design To address these aims and objectives, a feasibility superiority RCT with 1:1 allocation will be undertaken. We will recruit 88 participants with mild to moderate symptoms of depression through social prescribing organisations and social media in three sites in England. Participants will be randomised to either (1) intervention (8-session outdoor swimming course) plus usual care or (2) usual care only. Both groups will be followed up for a further 8 weeks. Discussion If findings from this feasibility RCT are favourable, a fully powered RCT will be conducted to investigate the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Findings from the definitive trial will provide evidence about outdoor swimming for depression for policymakers and has the potential to lead to greater choice of interventions for adults experiencing symptoms of depression. Trial registration Current controlled trial registration number is ISRCTN 90851983 registered on 19 May 2022.

Speaking the same language – a scoping review to identify the terminology associated with social prescribing

“…Using the same inclusion/exclusion as described for the scoping review, we identified 329 potentially relevant documents and examined the full text of 68 documents (references for examined documents can be obtained at shorturl.at/jNY79). Perhaps reassuringly, we identified just eight terms that were not previously captured in the scoping review: link worker pathway (Sandhu et al, 2022, link community gardening (Wood et al, 2022), green exercise initiatives (Massey et al, 2023), green poverty (Gerodetti & Foster, 2023), and animal-assisted (Howarth et al, 2021). The terms used within the searches conducted for the scoping review were identified by members of the WSPRN and the WSSPR steering group, which contains a diversity of professionals that have contact with and represent a broad spectrum of social prescribing groups across Wales.…”

“…, 2022 ), green exercise initiatives (Massey et al. , 2023 ), green poverty (Gerodetti & Foster, 2023 ), and animal-assisted activities (Howarth et al. , 2021 ).…”