Exercise to help reduce antidepressant use in people with heart-related depression and anxiety

Effect of Exercise on Tapering Antipsychotics in Patients With Psycho-cardiological Disease: a Multicenter, Randomized Controlled, Non-inferior Clinical Study

This project will try whether regular moderate exercise helps adults with cardiovascular disease and long-term depression or anxiety safely reduce their SSRI/SNRI medications.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 106 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 70 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong)
• Trial ID: NCT07025590 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The study enrolls adults aged 18–70 with confirmed cardiovascular disease who have been taking SSRIs or SNRIs for at least six months for depression or anxiety at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital. Participants undergo a program of moderate-intensity continuous exercise combined with a supervised attempt to taper their antidepressant medications; the protocol lists common SSRIs and SNRIs such as sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine, duloxetine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, and fluvoxamine. Researchers will monitor psychiatric symptoms, medication changes, and cardiac safety measures during and after the taper. The trial aims to determine whether adding structured exercise can support medication reduction without worsening mental health or cardiovascular outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults 18–70 with confirmed cardiovascular disease who have depression or anxiety and have used SSRIs/SNRIs continuously for six months, who can safely participate in exercise and provide informed consent, are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with bipolar disorder, significant organic brain injury or severe non-cardiac illness, current substance abuse or suicidal intent, or those unable to exercise safely are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients might reduce or stop long-term SSRI/SNRI treatment while improving mood and cardiovascular fitness.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show exercise can reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms and in some groups help reduce reliance on antidepressants, but using structured exercise specifically to taper long-term SSRIs/SNRIs in people with cardiovascular disease is not well established.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosed with depression/anxiety;
2. Continued use of SSris and SNris for six months prior to study start;
3. Aged between 18 and 70;
4. Confirmed cardiovascular disease (such as chronic stable coronary heart disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, valvular heart disease, cardiac surgery, cardiac intervention, ischemia with non-obstructive coronary artery disease, etc.);
5. The patients voluntarily participated in the study, signed a written informed consent, and were willing to cooperate with the follow-up.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. currently has mania or hypomania, or a history of bipolar disorder and any mental disorders (current and previous);
2. organic brain injury, etc., or serious non-cardiovascular system diseases (such as advanced cancer);
3. Unable to participate in sports training or have drug contraindications;
4. Current alcohol, drug abuse, drug use or suicidal intent;
5. Patients who were receiving other doses of eligible drugs and other antidepressants were excluded from the trial;
6. Myocardial infarction \<2 weeks or unstable angina attack period;
7. Severe and uncontrolled arrhythmia;
8. Acute heart failure stage;
9. Severe and symptomatic obstruction of the outflow tract;
10. Acute deep vein thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism;
11. Acute myocarditis, pericarditis or endocarditis;
12. Acute aortic dissection;
13. Intracardiac thrombus with high risk of embolism;
14. Massive pericardial effusion;
15. Those who fail to exercise adequately or refuse to sign informed consent.

Where this trial is running

Guangzhou, Guangdong

• Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital — Guangzhou, Guangdong, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Huan Ha, PhD

Conditions Cardiovascular Diseases; Depression Anxiety Disorder