Everyday movement and subjective energy (MASE Project)
The Motor Activity - Subjective Energy (MASE) Project: Neurobiological and Digital Phenotyping Towards Digital Mental Health Interventions in Depression
This project tests whether increasing everyday, non-exercise activity can boost feelings of energy and reduce depressive symptoms in people with major depressive disorder or recent remission.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 180 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 60 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Bern Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bern) |
| Trial ID | NCT07059234 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The MASE project uses wrist-worn accelerometers and electronic momentary diaries to link non-exercise activity (NEA) with real-time reports of subjective energy in daily life. Researchers will identify each person's activity–energy association (ASEA) and combine those data with neural markers to guide personalized behavioral activation that targets incidental movement. The intervention focuses on small, rewarding everyday actions (not structured exercise) to increase NEA and subjective energy, with outcomes including changes in depressive symptoms and relapse risk. Control and comparison groups, including remitted patients and healthy volunteers, are used to differentiate disorder-specific patterns.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults who speak German and either have current major depressive disorder (MADRS > 15) or remission within the past year with MADRS < 10 for at least one month, and who can wear activity monitors and complete electronic diaries, are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with other psychiatric disorders, acute suicidality, incompatible medical implants, pregnancy at baseline, or those unable to complete the monitoring procedures are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase daily energy and lower depressive symptoms by tailoring behavioral activation to boost incidental physical activity.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work shows behavioral activation helps MDD and that incidental everyday activity is linked to higher subjective energy, but interventions explicitly targeting personalized NEA associations are still novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Sufficient knowledge of the German language * Written informed consent. * Score \> 15 on the Montgomery Asberg Depression rating scale (MADRS) for MDD group. * Remission within the past year and exhibit a MADRS score \< 10 for at least one month for rMDD group Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy at baseline * Claustrophobia * Pacemaker * Artificial heart valves * Active implants * Other psychiatric disorders * Acute suicidality, change of medication / psychotherapy during the intervention (not dosage but substance). * For healthy participants: history of any mental health condition or first-degree relative with affective / psychotic disorder
Where this trial is running
Bern
- University of Bern — Bern, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Claudio R. Nigg, Prof
- Email: claudio.nigg@unibe.ch
- Phone: 0041316844188
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.