Summary Information to Help you Decide Whether to Join this Study

Study Title	Transform Your Mind: 55-Day Nature Walk Challenge
Study Author	Ilya Pantsyr
Sponsor	This study is made possible by your payment to join.
Cost of Products, Services & Information to Participant	$0
Included Products & Services
Outcome Measures	Quality of Life and Health Survey, NIH Toolbox® Item Bank v3.0 – General Life Satisfaction (Ages 18+)
Contact	help@efforia.com

Introduction & Summary

Welcome! We invite you to join the "Transform Your Mind: 55-Day Nature Walk Challenge" study on the Efforia platform. This study is made possible by your participation and support. The purpose of this study is to explore the benefits of daily nature walks on mental health over a period of 55 days.

Your participation is entirely voluntary. You may leave the study at any time without any penalty. Please read the information provided carefully and ask any questions you have before deciding to join. Your informed decision is important to us.

Purpose of the Study

This study aims to investigate how daily nature walks can improve mental health, specifically focusing on reducing anxiety, depression, and stress. By participating, you contribute to scientific knowledge that could benefit society at large. The study uses the Quality of Life and Health Survey and the NIH Toolbox® Item Bank v3.0 – General Life Satisfaction (Ages 18+) to measure outcomes.

What You Will Do as Part of this Study

While participating in this research study, you will need to:

• Be willing and able to follow the study directions and procedures
• Tell Efforia about any side effects or problems by communicating with help@efforia.com or online chat.
• Ask questions as you think of them, via help@efforia.com or online chat.
• Inform Efforia if you change your mind about staying in the study. You may leave the study at any time by communicating with help@efforia.com or chat.

Once you have completed enrollment, entering your personal details, and setting your communication preferences, you will participate in the following activities:

The Risks, Discomforts & Benefits of Being in this Study

There are some unique risks, discomforts, and potential benefits of being in this study that you should understand.

Consider your Own Risk-Benefit Comfort Level

It is possible that not all risks and benefits are currently known. Participants have the responsibility to consult with their healthcare providers and conduct further research before enrolling in the study.

Personal and Overall Findings

Efforia will provide you with both personal outcomes as well as overall findings. These findings will be made available at various data collection points in your experience in the study or as they are discovered by Efforia. The results and findings may impact your interest and willingness to be involved in the study. Remember, your participation is voluntary and you may exit at any time with an e-mail to help@efforia.com.

Possible Benefits of Participation

Possible benefits of participation may include improvements in mental health, such as reduced anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as an overall increase in life satisfaction. However, there is a possibility that there will be no measurable benefit to you, other than seeing reports that the intervention or treatment had no measurable impact.

Possible Serious Adverse Events & Side Effects

Risk Assessment Report for Nature Walks for Mental Health Improvement Challenge

Introduction

The Nature Walks for Mental Health Improvement Challenge is a structured program designed to explore the effects of regular exposure to natural environments on mental health, particularly focusing on anxiety, depression, and stress. This report outlines the known risks associated with participating in this challenge, based on academic literature, online forums, folklore, general beliefs, and anecdotal evidence.

The following is a summary of known risks. However, research is limited, and there may be risks not covered by this document, risks that are currently unknown or unforeseen. Please consider these risks carefully, do your own research, and talk to a professional who knows you well and has expertise in this area, like your personal physician.

In the Case of an Adverse Event

If you experience any severe adverse reactions during the Nature Walks challenge, please seek immediate medical care by calling 911. After addressing any acute situations, please inform Efforia about the incident. Your feedback is crucial for improving the safety and effectiveness of the challenge.

Risks Associated with the Nature Walks Challenge

• Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Participants may experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea or upset stomach due to increased physical activity.
• Skin & Hair Reactions: Exposure to natural elements can lead to reactions such as sunburn or contact dermatitis, depending on individual sensitivities and environmental conditions.
• Headaches: Changes in weather or intense sunlight during nature walks can trigger headaches in some individuals.
• Mood Changes: While the challenge aims to improve mental health, initial adjustments to a new routine may cause mood swings or increased anxiety.
• Allergic Reactions: Exposure to pollen, plants, and other natural allergens can cause allergic reactions, which vary in severity.
• Injuries: Uneven terrain and natural obstacles may pose risks of falls or injuries.

Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)

Theoretical side effects	Relative incidence	Recovery
Exacerbation of pre-existing conditions	Low likelihood	Symptoms may subside with continued participation or after discontinuation
Severe allergic reactions	Very low likelihood	Immediate medical treatment can prevent permanent damage; may have lasting effects without treatment
Serious injuries (e.g., fractures, concussions)	Low likelihood	Recovery depends on the severity of the injury; might require medical intervention

"Frustration and irritation: Some users may experience discomfort, frustration and irritation with the technology that Efforia users to conduct studies, with the thoughts and feelings by answering probing questions and/or waiting for test results, and with a lack of progress towards reaching health goals."

Efforia's Limitations in Providing Direct Medical Support

Efforia does not provide direct medical support. Participants are encouraged to maintain communication with their primary healthcare providers throughout the challenge for guidance and to address any health concerns.

Long-term Dependence Issues

No long-term dependence issues have been identified with the Nature Walks for Mental Health Improvement Challenge.

Legality for Use

The Nature Walks challenge is a non-pharmacological intervention and does not involve substances that are governed by organizations such as the World Anti-Doping Association, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or general Corporate Workplace regulations. However, participants should ensure the challenge aligns with their personal and professional responsibilities.

This comprehensive assessment aims to provide participants and regulatory bodies with a clear understanding of the potential risks associated with the Nature Walks for Mental Health Improvement Challenge.

Privacy & Security Risks

We are doing everything we can think of to keep your data private and confidential. However, there is no such thing as no risk. Potential participants should review the Efforia general privacy policy, which is available here: https://efforia.com/privacy-policy/

There may be very certain limits to the rights of your privacy:

• We may reach out to local help if we have reason to believe you may be a harm to yourself and/or others.
• Regulators, like the FDA or similar agency, or Institutional Review boards may review records that have your identifying information.

What to do if you have a study related injury.

Seek local medical care first, if necessary. Efforia cannot provide emergency medical care or diagnosis. However, it is important to contact Efforia in case you experience any problems, have any side effects, or have any study-related injury after you've received any necessary treatment. This helps us make others aware of potential risks.

Study related injury care and compensation

Efforia is not able to offer financial compensation nor to absorb the costs of medical treatment should you be injured as a result of participating in this research. Efforia makes no commitment to provide free medical care or payment for any unfavorable outcomes resulting from participation in this research.

In the case of medical emergency

In the case of medical emergency please dial 911 immediately. Do not attempt to contact Efforia until after the emergency has passed. Access local in person medical assistance immediately. If at any time you feel like you may be a danger to yourself or others, please dial 988 for the National Suicide Prevention hotline. Help is available.

Alternatives to Participating in the Study

Since this study is for research only, the only other choice would be not to be in the study. If this study does not seem quite right, or is too expensive for your specific purposes, Efforia is dedicated to making other studies available. You may click on the Efforia logo in the upper portion of the page and find a different study that may be more appropriate.

Your Rights as a Participant

Efforia upholds the same high ethical standards in research as seen in pharmaceutical and academic studies, despite only hosting and not sponsoring or conducting these studies. Your participation in this study is completely voluntary, and you are free to withdraw at any time without any adverse consequences. You are not giving up any rights by signing this document.

Privacy and Confidentiality

You have a right to privacy and confidentiality in this research effort. Your personal information is protected through robust measures ensuring anonymity or confidentiality. All data processing is designed to safeguard personal data against unauthorized access and misuse.

Right to Your Own Results

Participants have the right to a complete explanation of the research once their involvement concludes, particularly if the study involves any form of deception like placebos or controls.

The Right to Leave a Study without Penalty at Any time

If you decide to withdraw from the study, you can do so at any time by visiting your Profile page, selecting "Your Protocols," and clicking "Leave." Upon leaving, you will be refunded for any consumable products that have not yet been shipped. For non-consumable products, a full refund will be issued upon their return in accordance with our return policy. This ensures that you can participate in the study with the assurance that your financial contributions are handled fairly and with respect for your consumer rights.

Conflict of Interest Statement

As part of our commitment to ethical conduct and transparency in our citizen science clinical trial, it is essential to disclose the unique structure of our study. This clinical trial is hosted by Efforia, but it is uniquely sponsored by you, the participants. Efforia serves solely as the platform provider and does not sponsor or influence the study outcomes.

Efforia takes a transaction fee on all the products and services included in this protocol. Otherwise, we have no financial interest or conflicts of interest. To further reduce conflicts of interest, we will remind you once if you do not complete enrollment in this study. We will not remarket to you, nor otherwise push you to join the study.

How we Reduce Conflicts of Interest

It is crucial that participants do not have any financial relationship with the intervention methods or measurement providers used in the trial, nor should they be employees, investors, stakeholders, or protocol authors associated with these entities. Participation under such conflicts of interest could significantly compromise the study's integrity and the validity of its results.

Consequences of Conflict of Interest Non-Compliance

Should a participant fail to disclose such a conflict of interest or if a breach of this policy is discovered, the participant will be subject to immediate suspension from this platform and payments may not be refunded.

By joining this trial, you affirm that you understand the above conflict of interest restrictions and agree to comply fully with them. Your participation is valued, and your adherence to these guidelines ensures the validity and reliability of our collective scientific efforts.

Data Protections

Describe how data will be collected, used, and protected, ensuring compliance with data protection laws.

What you can do to improve your privacy and security

As part of participating in this study, you will receive notifications via e-mail, SMS, or push notification when new study tasks like questionnaires and reminders are ready for you. You can adjust your communication preferences in the Efforia application at any time. If you do not want to receive notifications from this study, do not press the Accept button. You can decide not to join this study, and will not receive notifications. To ensure others don’t see these alerts, you should make sure your phone or desktop computer and your e-mail accounts are protected by a password, pin, or other form of “access control.” You should also avoid sharing your accounts with others or sharing your account passwords. As this study is hosted in Efforia, it is governed by a set of privacy and confidentiality standards that put you, as a participant, in control. You can learn more about Your Privacy and Security rights on Efforia here: https://efforia.com/privacy-policy.

Who will have access to your data?

Efforia will have access to your data. There may also be partners who have access to your data (like labs and connected health devices).

What will we do with your data?

We will use the data to show you your own personal results and pool your results with other participants to provide general outcomes. We will not use your information connected with your name or anything that connects the data with you without your permission.

California Experiential Research Subject’s Bill of Rights

Participants can view the California Experiential Research Subject Bill of Rights and review the Efforia privacy policy here.

Who to Contact for Questions or Concerns

If you have questions, concerns, or complaints about this study or to report a study-related injury, contact:

HELP@EFFORIA.COM OR CLICK THE CHAT BUTTON ON YOUR SCREEN

If you are unable to reach anyone at the number(s) listed above and you require immediate (life-threatening) medical attention, please go to the nearest emergency room.

If you do not want to talk to the investigator or study staff, if you have concerns or complaints about the research, or to ask questions about your rights as a study subject you may contact IntegReview. IntegReview is a group of people that have reviewed this research study. The main goal of this review is to protect the rights and well-being of the human subjects participating in research studies. IntegReview’s policy indicates that all concerns/complaints are to be submitted in writing for review at a convened IRB meeting to:

Chairperson
BRANY
123 Main Street
Suite 320
NY, NY 78704
email@BRANY.com

If you are unable to provide your concerns/complaints in writing or if this is an emergency situation regarding subject safety, contact our office at:

555-326-3001 or toll free at 1-800-123-4567 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

Additional questions and closing

Efforia and BRANY have approved the information in this consent form and has given approval to publish this study. This does not mean Efforia or BRANY have approved your being in the study. You must consider the information in this consent form for yourself and decide if you want to be in this study.

If you have questions please contact help@efforia.com. It is up to you to do additional research and talk to your physician before joining a study.