The PANDA Trial is a study designed to increase physical activity for people with cardiometabolic diseases aged 45years plus . Phase 1 of the Trial aimed to co-design a nature prescription intervention tailored for community's representative of the Australian public and involved focus group interviews with members of the public and Health/Allied Practitioners.

Phase 2 will involve a Nature Prescription Clinical Trial with members of the public. The trial is focussed on increasing physical activity in people with cardiometabolic diseases aged 45yr+ through nature.

Recruitment status: 

Wollongong site is now OPEN for recruitment

Blacktown site  is now OPEN for recruitment

Would the research project be a good fit for me? 

We are looking for community members from diverse backgrounds who are willing to participate in a nature-based exercise program (Nature Prescription). The study might be a good fit for you if you are physically inactive, have a cardiometabolic condition, are aged 45years or over and would like to improve your health by spending time and being active in nature.

 Will I be paid to take part in the research project? 

Each participant will receive advice about how to improve their health and physical activity by spending time in nature. There is no payment for being involved in the trial.

What is involved if I choose to participate? 

We ask you to participate in, and be aware of, the following; 

• Step 1: Complete a short online questionnaire to check you are eligible to participate

• Step 2: Receive a phone call from us to discuss what's involved in the study and answer any questions you have.

• Step 3: Visit a clinic (Blacktown Hospital or University of Wollongong) to sign a consent form (or sign e-consent prior to appointment) and answer a full screening questionnaire to check if you are eligible. Then we will then do some blood tests (via finger prick) and record your body measurements, blood pressure and weight. The visit will take approx 75mins. We will provide you with some monitoring equipment.

• Step 3: We will ask you to complete online questionnaires about your background, physical activity, mental health, health and lifestyle and quality of life (approx 20 mins). These will be completed 4 times during the study.

• Step 4: We ask you to use 2 monitoring devices for 10 days. These monitor your Physical activity and GPS location. These will be worn 3 times during the study.

• Step 5: Be aware the trial length is 12 months, including 6 months of activity advice, plus a further 6 months for follow up contact and assessments.

To take part in this study you must meet also all the following eligibility criteria:  

• Be aged 45 years or older  

• Currently live in Blacktown (Sydney, NSW AU) or surrounding area which may include areas with postcode  2147, 2148,  2761, 2762, 2763, 2766, 2767, 2768, 2769, 2770

• OR, currently live in Wollongong/Shellharbour (NSW AU) or surrounding area, which may include areas with postcode   2500, 2502, 2505, 2506, 2508, 2515, 2516, 2517, 2518, 2519, 2525, 2526, 2527, 2528, 2529, 2530

• You are physically inactive (defined as less than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, or equivalent)

• You have been diagnosed with a cardiometabolic disease by a medical doctor.  Eg heart attack, heart failure, valve disease, stroke, heart rhythm disorders, peripheral artery and venous disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, obesity or diabetes.

• Be willing to take part in a physical activity in nature program (Nature Prescription)

• Be willing to receive text messages to your mobile phone (and occasionally reply to those messages)

• Speak, read and understand English  

• Be willing to charge the Physical Activity monitor if needed and GPS monitors on a regular basis, over 10 days.

• You have had stable weight for previous 3 months (defined as stable weight ± 4kgs)

• You have stable medications (no change) for previous 3 months

• You have access to a smart phone with an internet connection

• Your wrist circumference is less than around 22cm (Accelerometer band limit).

Further information and who to contact  

To sign up or for further information about the study you can contact the study team at panda@unsw.edu.au or Phone 02 9348 0786

Participants currently enrolled in the study are asked to contact their clinic site team to discuss any questions.

Resources for Pre-Screening Survey:

Phase 1 of the PANDA Trial

The PANDA Trial is a study designed to increase physical activity for people with cardiometabolic diseases aged 45y+ . Phase 1 of the Trial aimed to co-design a nature prescription intervention tailored for communities representative of the Australian public. Phase 1 involved focus group interviews with members of the public and Health or Allied Practitioners. Phase 1 is now completed.

Phase 1 of this study is approved by University of Wollongong HREC (2023/186).
Phase 2 of this study is approved by WSLHD HREC 2024/ETH02239 

This trial is registered with the ANZCTR. Registration number ACTRN12624001450505p (https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12624001450505p.aspx)

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