Using aerobic exercise to help treat depression

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

This project aims to evaluate how effective aerobic exercise, monitored by smart wristbands, can be in treating major depressive disorder and enhancing cognitive function. The study will investigate the underlying mechanisms of exercise's effects through imaging genetics and other methods, while also identifying populations that would benefit from personalized exercise prescriptions. Participants will be encouraged to adopt healthier physical activity habits as part of the intervention.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged 18-45 years (including 18 and 45), no gender restriction;
2. Meets the diagnostic criteria for depressive disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V);
3. Outpatients or inpatients; Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17-item (HAMD-17) score ≥ 14; Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) screening negative to exclude bipolar disorder patients; and Clinical Global Impressions-Severity (CGI-S) score ≥ 4;
4. Maintained on antidepressant treatment for at least 4 weeks or not using antidepressant treatment;
5. Written informed consent obtained from the patient.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosed with other mental disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, alcohol or substance abuse/dependence, eating disorders, etc.;
2. Individuals with intellectual disabilities or who are unable to cooperate for other reasons, or those lacking or having incomplete civil capacity during the onset of illness;
3. Suffering from neurological or organic brain diseases (such as stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, brain tumors, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, etc.) and a history of severe traumatic brain injury;
4. Suffering from conditions with high exercise risk, such as hypertension or heart disease;
5. Currently undergoing systematic psychological therapy;
6. In the 3-minute step test, males with a recovery heart rate more than131 and females with a recovery heart rate more than 140;
7. Physically restricted individuals unable to participate in physical exercise;
8. Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) score ≥ 2;
9. Pregnant women or individuals with contraindications to MRI examinations;
10. Individuals with severe suicidal tendencies or at risk of harming others.

Where it's running

• Peking University Sixth Hostipal
  Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Weihua Yue, Doctor
• Email: dryue@bjmu.edu.cn
• Phone: 86-010-82805307

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Understanding how the orbitofrontal cortex guides approach vs. avoidance in depression

  This study tests how different parts of the orbitofrontal cortex influence whether people pursue rewards or risk loss, and whether this pattern is altered in Major Depressive Disorder.

  Recruiting University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, California · NCT07896343

• Health education program to help depression in older adults and caregivers in Ho Chi Minh City

  A community-based education program for people 60+ and their caregivers is being tested to see if it can lower depression and improve quality of life compared with standard care.

  Recruiting University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City · Ho Chi Minh City, Cho Lon · NCT07877571

• Prucalopride for low mood: testing a 5-HT4 receptor activator for cognition and sleep

  This study tests whether prucalopride, a 5-HT4 receptor drug, can improve thinking and sleep in adults with low mood or major depressive disorder compared to a placebo.

  Recruiting University of Oxford · Oxford, Oxfordshire · NCT07848477

• Pre-visit Companion Brief: a primary care AI-assisted check for depression and anxiety

  This pilot tests an AI-powered pre-visit assessment that creates a concise Companion Brief for clinicians to help identify depression and anxiety during routine primary care.

  Recruiting Singula Health, Inc. · Brentwood, New York and 1 other locations · NCT07834684

• Medically tailored groceries to help depression in people with food insecurity

  This trial tests whether giving medically tailored groceries for six months can reduce depressive symptoms in adults who have depression and struggle with access to food.

  Recruiting at 2 sites University of Massachusetts, Worcester · Worcester, Massachusetts and 2 other locations · NCT07779707

• Health and Work Ability After Inpatient Treatment for Stress-Related Disorders: Follow-Up of the HARMODI Cohort

  This study follows people who had inpatient treatment for stress-related disorders to see how their health and ability to work change over the next three years and what factors help them return to work.

  Recruiting Clinica Holistica Engiadina · Süs and 1 other locations · NCT07757997

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.