Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy versus supportive non-directive group for university students with depression and anxiety
Efficacy of a Group-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Protocol Compared to an Active Control in University Students With Emotional Symptoms: a Randomized Controlled Trial With an Ideographic Approach
This study will test whether group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) or a supportive non-directive group better helps university students aged 18–28 who have moderate depression and anxiety symptoms.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 48 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 28 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Universidad de Montevideo Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Montevideo, Montevideo Department) |
| Trial ID | NCT07506148 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
University students with moderate depressive and anxiety symptoms will be randomly assigned to a structured group ACT program or to a non-directive supportive group that controls for group attention and support. Participants complete baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up assessments and will fill out daily and weekly ecological momentary assessments to track symptoms and processes such as psychological flexibility and repetitive negative thinking. Key eligibility criteria include age 18–28, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores of 8 or higher, and exclusion for suicide risk, psychotic disorders, or problematic substance use. The trial is conducted in person at Universidad de Montevideo and uses standardized self-report measures to compare symptom change between the two group interventions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are university students aged 18–28 with moderate to moderately high depression and anxiety (PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores ≥8) who can attend group sessions and complete daily and weekly assessments.
Not a fit: Patients with active suicide risk, a history of psychotic disorders, problematic substance use, or inability to commit to group sessions and ecological momentary assessments are unlikely to be appropriate or to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the ACT group could reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms and improve psychological flexibility and daily functioning for affected students.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research on ACT, including group-based formats, has shown positive effects for depression and anxiety symptoms though results vary and comparison against active controls is less common.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * University students aged 18 to 28 years. * Score ≥8 on the PHQ-9. * Score ≥8 on the GAD-7. * Willingness to participate in a longitudinal study including pre-, post-, and follow-up assessments. * Willingness to complete daily and weekly ecological momentary assessments (EMA). * Provision of written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Suicide risk based on clinical indicators derived from PHQ-9 assessment. * Self-reported history of psychotic disorders. * Self-reported problematic substance use. * Failure to provide informed consent.
Where this trial is running
Montevideo, Montevideo Department
- Universidad de Montevideo — Montevideo, Montevideo Department, Uruguay (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Mónica Larrosa Signorelli, Lic. Psic., Mgtr.
- Email: m.larrosa@um.edu.uy
- Phone: +598 99 705 437
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.