Exercise-priming of CBT for Depression: the CBT+ Trial
This study is looking at whether doing aerobic exercise right before cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Researchers want to see if this combination, called 'ActiveCBT,' works better than just resting before CBT, called 'CalmCBT.' You would watch a nature documentary while either resting or exercising for 30 minutes before 8 weekly CBT sessions. The study aims to understand if 'ActiveCBT' improves how well you connect with your therapist (working alliance) and your ability to engage in positive activities (behavioral activation), and ultimately, if it helps reduce depression symptoms. To join, you need to be between 18 and 65 years old, have a diagnosis of MDD, and have at least mild depression symptoms. The study plans to enroll 100 adults, but its current status is unclear.
- Study design
- This is an interventional study with 100 planned participants. It compares two groups: one that rests before CBT ('CalmCBT') and one that exercises before CBT ('ActiveCBT').
- What's involved
- You would participate in 8 weekly CBT sessions, with either rest or aerobic activity beforehand. You would also have assessments at baseline, during each CBT session, immediately after the intervention (week 9), and at weeks 20 and 52.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Your depression symptoms and behavioral activation will be measured at week 20 and week 52 after the intervention.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
Exercise-priming of CBT for Depression: the CBT+ Trial
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesStudy leadership
- Jacob Meyer, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Wisconsin, Madison
Who to contact
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Do you actually qualify for this trial?
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Inclusion
Exclusion
What this trial measures
- Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) - Bond subscaledata collected at each CBT session (weeks 1-8)
The WAI-Bond subscale scores 4 items, with scores ranging from 4-28. Higher scores are stronger perceived patient-therapist bond: how the participant experiences feelings of bond (i.e., feelings of mutual trust, acceptance, and connection) with their therapist.. The Bond subscale is a primary outcome measure for this study and the total score will be analyzed as a secondary outcome.
- Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS)data collected at baseline, each CBT session (weeks 1-8), post intervention visit (week 9), week 20, week 52
BADS is a 25-item survey, each item scored from 0 (not at all) to 6 (completely), with some items reverse scored. There are 4 sub-scales: Activation, Avoidance / Rumination, Work / School Impairment, Social Impairment. The total possible range of scores is from 0 to 150 where higher scores indicate higher behavioral activation (increased avoidance and impairment).
- GRID Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (GRID-HAMD)baseline, post intervention visit (week 9), week 20, week 52
The GRID-HAM-D is a 17-item clinician-completed questionnaire that will be used to rate depressive symptom severity. The questionnaire is designed for adults and is used to rate the intensity and frequency of depressive symptoms by probing mood, feelings of guilt, suicidal ideation, insomnia, agitation or retardation, anxiety, weight loss, and somatic symptoms. As recommended by the Depression Rating Scale Standardization Team, Clinical Interviewers will follow the Structured Interview Guide and use GRID scoring, in which dimensions of intensity and frequency of a symptom are rated independently for each item. Higher scores reflect greater symptom severity, categorized as Normal (0-7), Mild Depression (8-13), Moderate Depression (14-18), Severe Depression (19-22), and Very Severe Depression (greater than 23).
- Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)data collected at baseline, each CBT session (weeks 1-8), post intervention visit (week 9), week 20, week 52
The PHQ-9 is a 9-item questionnaire that asks the participant to consider the last 2 weeks and score each question from 0-3 for a total possible range of scores from 0-27 where higher scores indicate increase depression.