Teenthrive 2: Yoga vs. group therapy for teen mood
Official title: Teenthrive 2: Treatments for Improving Mood in Teens
Run by Butler Hospital · NCT07475845 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A pilot randomized trial tests whether a yoga-based program (YBI) or group cognitive-behavioral therapy (gCBT) helps adolescents with depression at two U.S. sites.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 12 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 96 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Butler Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Boston, Massachusetts and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 7, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 26, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07475845 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adolescents aged 12-18 with elevated depressive symptoms who can participate in group sessions and have access to private space for weekly sessions.
✕Probably not a fit
Teens with depression who cannot attend group sessions or lack access to the required settings may not benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This pilot randomized trial compares a yoga-based intervention to group cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescents with depressive symptoms at two sites (Columbus, OH and Boston, MA). About 96 participants aged 12-18 will be enrolled, randomized by site and set, and followed for 6 months to assess feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary clinical outcomes. Primary outcomes focus on depression symptom severity assessed by masked evaluators, with secondary measures including functional impairment, anxiety, self-compassion, and metacognitive awareness. Parents may participate in assessments to provide additional context. The study uses in-person group sessions with trained interventionists and aims to establish metrics for recruitment, retention, attendance, fidelity, and satisfaction to inform a future fully powered trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could support feasible, acceptable options for teen mood treatment that can be tested further in larger trials.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has explored yoga and CBT for adolescent depression, with mixed but promising signals; this pilot aims to establish feasibility and preliminary signals.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Set A Inclusion Criteria. In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Have elevated depressive symptoms, defined by: a) a score of 1 or greater on the PHQ-2 and 5 or greater on the PHQ-8 at screening; and b) a score of 10 or higher on the Quick Inventory of Depression-Adolescent Version-Clinician Rating (QIDS-A-CR), including either sad mood or anhedonia; 2. Be aged 12-18; 3. Be allowed to participate in gym class or sports at school (or, if not, medically cleared by their primary care provider or other relevant healthcare provider); 4. Be able to read and write in English; 5. Provide consent/assent appropriate to age; 6. Be able to attend group session times: 7. Have access to a private space once per week that is suitable for synchronous intervention sessions. Set A Exclusion criteria: Adolescents will be excluded if they: 1. Meet criteria for lifetime bipolar I disorder, a current psychotic disorder, or current anorexia or bulimia; or currently be in treatment for anorexia or bulimia; 2. Meet criteria for substance use disorder (SUD) in the previous 12 months, with current symptoms of sufficient severity to interfere with study participation; 3. Have severe depression (QIDS-A-CR score \> = 16); 4. Have moderate or high risk for suicide (Response of "yes" on CSSRS-Screener item 3,4,5,6 with regard to the past 3 months). 5. Have suicide ideation (Response of "yes" on CSSRS- Screener item 2) and do not currently have other mental health treatment (pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy) 6. Are pregnant; 7. Are currently (past 4 weeks) engaged in yoga classes or in gCBT; 8. Have had substantive changes in other psychiatric treatment in the previous 4 weeks (e.g., started a new depression medication; stopped or started attending psychotherapy). 9. Have a sibling or other household member active in a study intervention (for this study) at the same time. Set B Eligibility criteria Participants who are not eligible for Set A may be enrolled in Phase 2 Set B, such that they will be eligible to attend classes but their data will not be considered in our main analyses. Set B Inclusion Criteria. In order to be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Have elevated depressive symptoms, defined by: a) a score of 1 or greater on the PHQ-2 and 5 or greater on the PHQ-8 at screening; and b) a score of 6 or higher on the Quick Inventory of Depression-Adolescent Version-Clinician Rating (QIDS-A-CR), including either sad mood or anhedonia; 2. Be aged 12-18; 3. Be allowed to participate in gym class or sports at school (or, if not, medically cleared by their primary care provider or other relevant healthcare provider); 4. Be able to read and write in English; 5. Provide consent/assent appropriate to age; 6. Be able to attend group session times: 7. Have access to a private space once per week that is suitable for synchronous intervention sessions. Set B Exclusion criteria: Adolescents will be excluded if they: 1. Meet criteria for lifetime bipolar I disorder, a current psychotic disorder, or current anorexia or bulimia; or currently be in treatment for anorexia or bulimia; 2. Meet criteria for substance use disorder (SUD) in the previous 12 months, with current symptoms of sufficient severity to interfere with study participation; 3. Have severe depression (QIDS-A-CR score \> = 16); 4. Have moderate or high risk for suicide (Response of "yes" on CSSRS-Screener item 3,4,5,6 with regard to the past 3 months). 5. Have suicide ideation (Response of "yes" on CSSRS- Screener item 2) and do not currently have other mental health treatment (pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy) 6. Are pregnant; 7. Are currently (past 4 weeks) engaged in yoga classes or in gCBT; 8. Have a sibling or other household member active in a study intervention (for this study) at the same time.
Where it's running
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting -
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, Ohio, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Lisa Uebelacker, PhD — Butler Hospital
- Study coordinator: Bailey O'Keeffe, MA
- Email: bokeeffe@butler.org
- Phone: 401-455-6219
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.