Status:

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Exercise-priming of CBT for Depression: the CBT+ Trial

Lead Sponsor:

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Collaborating Sponsors:

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Conditions:

Major Depressive Disorder

Eligibility:

All Genders

18-65 years

Phase:

NA

Brief Summary

This study investigates the effects of intentionally sequencing aerobic exercise immediately prior to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to determine its effects on mechanisms of CBT (i.e., working al...

Detailed Description

The overall goals of this project are to examine the efficacy of exercise priming (i.e., intentional sequencing of aerobic exercise immediately prior to cognitive behavioral therapy \['ActiveCBT'\]) t...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • a diagnosis of DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5) MDD, confirmed via Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID)
  • current depressive symptoms of at least mild severity defined by a Hamilton Rating Scale of Depression (using the GRID-HAMD) score greater than or equal to 8
  • EITHER not currently take any mental health medications or use 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 encouraged to maintain that regimen for the duration of the 8 week intervention period
  • willing and safe to perform exercise based on responses on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (rules out contraindications to exercise)
  • reported being CBT-naïve (as defined by never undergoing structured CBT).

Exclusion

  • reporting being currently pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant during the study
  • being diagnosed with current Substance Use Disorder, via the SCID
  • being diagnosed with lifetime or current Psychosis, Mania, or Bipolar Disorder, via the SCID
  • having class III+ obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 40)
  • active suicidal ideation with specific plan and intent ('5' score on Suicidal Ideation from Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale \[C-SSRS\])
  • exhibiting behavioral disturbance (e.g., aggression, mild-moderate cognitive impairment) or relationships with the study team members (e.g., therapists) that would significantly interfere with study participation, as assessed by research personnel.

Key Trial Info

Start Date :

January 1 2026

Trial Type :

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation :

ESTIMATED

End Date :

November 1 2029

Estimated Enrollment :

100 Patients enrolled

Trial Details

Trial ID

NCT07221929

Start Date

January 1 2026

End Date

November 1 2029

Last Update

October 28 2025

Active Locations (1)

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1

University of Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States, 53792