Dance-movement therapy for teenage depression

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized trial will recruit 140 adolescents (age 13–17) from an outpatient youth psychiatric clinic in Helsinki and randomly assign them to 12 weeks of dance-movement therapy (DMT) or to treatment as usual. Outcomes will be measured with self-report questionnaires and interviews that capture depressive symptoms and body image at baseline, immediately after the 12-week intervention, and three months later. The trial is led by Helsinki University Central Hospital with academic collaborators and plans publication of results in 2027. The design tests whether adding DMT to usual care provides measurable benefit over standard treatment alone.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of medium or severe depression; BDI 16 points or more. At least 4/9 symptoms of depression in K-SADS-PL interview

Exclusion Criteria:

* Acute psychosis, psychotic depression, personality disorder, severe anorexia, substance misuse that is on a critical level

Where it's running

• Helsinki University Hospital
  Helsinki, Finland Recruiting
• Adolecent mental health services, Helsinki
  Helsinki, Finland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Riikka Valjakka, MD
• Email: riikka.valjakka@hus.fi
• Phone: +358445185156

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.