Status:

RECRUITING

RESISTance Exercise for Depression Trial

Lead Sponsor:

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Collaborating Sponsors:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Iowa State University

Conditions:

Major Depressive Disorder

Eligibility:

All Genders

18-65 years

Phase:

NA

Brief Summary

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide and current treatments are ineffective for many people. This trial will investigate the efficacy of a 16-week high vs low dose resistance exercise...

Detailed Description

Frontline treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD), including psycho- and pharmacotherapy, have limited effectiveness, and there is a critical need to develop and test novel, efficacious treatme...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • Be diagnosed with DSM-5 MDD, confirmed via Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID).
  • Have current depressive symptoms of at least mild severity defined by the Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression 17 greater than or equal to 8 (HAMD; using the GRID-HAMD evaluated by trained, masked raters)
  • Be ages 18-65
  • EITHER not taking any mental health medications or seeking other mental health treatment (e.g., behavioral, psychological) OR be on a stable mental health medication and/or treatment regimen for the past 8 weeks, and intend to maintain that regimen for the duration of the study
  • Safe to exercise based on physical activity screening questions or physician clearance
  • Willing to be randomized to either condition
  • have a Smartphone

Exclusion

  • Currently pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant during the trial
  • Class III+ obesity
  • Diagnosed with lifetime or current Psychosis, Mania, or Bipolar Disorder, via the SCID
  • Diagnosed with current Substance Use Disorder, via the SCID
  • Active suicidal ideation with specific plan and intent ('5' score on Suicidal Ideation from Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale), which would necessitate immediate emergent care
  • Exhibit behavioral disturbance (e.g., aggression, mild-moderate cognitive impairment) that would significantly interfere with study participation, as assessed by clinical research personnel
  • Currently meets resistance exercise recommendations (2 days per week) for the last 8 weeks
  • Self-reporting a concussion/traumatic brain injury within the last 3 months
  • Having cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or uncontrolled diabetes

Key Trial Info

Start Date :

January 1 2024

Trial Type :

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation :

ESTIMATED

End Date :

May 31 2028

Estimated Enrollment :

200 Patients enrolled

Trial Details

Trial ID

NCT06110897

Start Date

January 1 2024

End Date

May 31 2028

Last Update

October 23 2025

Active Locations (2)

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Page 1 of 1 (2 locations)

1

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa, United States, 50010

2

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, Wisconsin, United States, 53705