Sea Swimming for Treatment of Depression and Anxiety
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
There is a developing evidence to suggest that open cold water swimming could have an impact on depression and anxiety:
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anecdotal reports of benefits to mental wellbeing as a result of regular open water bathing
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research suggesting exercise is as effective as medication and talking therapies in the treatment of depression
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ecotherapy (offering therapeutic intervention in nature) has a developing evidence base
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cold water may have an impact on the inflammatory system which has been linked to depression
The aim of this study is to recruit 10 people with mild to moderately severe depression to a sea swimming course, alongside their standard care. The course would involve two groups of 5, participating in eight sea sessions under the guidance and supervision of swim instructors and lifeguards.
The primary aim of the course is to determine the recruitment rate and compliance with the course.
The secondary aims of the course are to determine the impact on mental health through questionnaires for depression (PHQ9), anxiety (GAD7), functioning in daily life (WSAS). The inflammatory marker - C- reactive protein (CRP), will also be measured to monitor the inflammatory process in relation to psychological outcomes and the timeline of the course.
Participants will need to commit to two sessions a week. It is anticipated that participants will need to commit around 2 hours of their time to the study each week.
It would take around ten months from recruitment to follow-up. Participants would be able to leave the study at any time. Participants would engage in routine care alongside the course.
Sea swimming can be a dangerous activity but participants would be well supported, in small groups and would only sea swim in safe conditions. Participants will be asked to report any medical conditions to ensure they could not be adversely effected.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Sea swimming 8 sessions over 4 weeks of swimming-based activities in the sea |
Other: Sea swimming
8 sessions of swimming activities in the sea
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Recruitment and retention of participants [5 weeks]
The number of participants recruited and how many of them complete the course
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Effect of course on measures of anxiety [5 weeks]
Comparison of GAD7 scores before the start and after completion of the intervention
- Effect of course on measures of depression [5 weeks]
Comparison of PHQ9 scores before the start and after completion of the intervention
- Effect of course on measures of functioning [5 weeks]
Comparison of WSAS scores before the start and after the completion of the intervention
- Effect of course on inflammation [5 weeks]
Comparison of CRP pre- and post-course
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Adults living in North Devon and able to attend the course.
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PHQ-9 score 5-19
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Able to swim two lengths of a 25m pool
Exclusion Criteria:
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Physical health problems that would make cold water immersion a risk including significant heart problems, inadequately treated high blood pressure e.g. new diagnosis not on stable medication, significantly reduced mobility.
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Experience of other mental health problems at a significant level
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Not able to swim or very anxious about getting into water
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Suicide risk
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Unable to speak English (as the sea swimming course will be conducted in English)
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Unable to consent due to lack of capacity
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Croyde Beach | Croyde | Devon | United Kingdom |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Investigators
- Study Chair: C Mark Harper, MBBS, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Additional Information:
- The Mental Health Taskforce (2016) The Five Year Forward View For Mental Health.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE] (2018) 'Depression in adults: recognition and management [CG90]'.
Publications
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- DPT0468 Sea Swimming