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

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

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.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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 it's running

• Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital
  Guangzhou, Guangdong, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Huan Ha, PhD
• Email: mahuandoctor@163.com
• Phone: +86 15078755932

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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.