A Randomised Multicentre Study Comparing Vigorous Group Aerobic Exercise vs. Group Leisure Activities for Mild to Moderate Depression in Adolescents

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the effects of aerobic group exercise compared to leisure group activities in adolescents aged 13 to 17 with mild to moderate depression. The study aims to measure improvements in depression symptoms using the Children's Depression Rating Scale - Revised (CDRS-R) at 13 weeks after starting the interventions. Additional goals include assessing changes in clinical severity, self-reported depressive symptoms, physical fitness, biological markers related to neuroprotection and inflammation, cost-effectiveness, and understanding participants' experiences through interviews. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: an aerobic exercise group or a leisure activities group. The aerobic exercise group will engage in 60-minute supervised sessions three times a week for 12 weeks, including aerobic, strength, and mixed training with gradually increased intensity. The leisure group will participate in non-heart rate increasing group activities, such as games and supportive discussions, at the same frequency and schedule. After 26 weeks, those in the leisure group will have the opportunity to join aerobic exercise sessions. During the study, participants will complete assessments at baseline, 13 weeks, 26 weeks, and one year, including video evaluations of depression and functioning, physical fitness tests, body composition analysis, blood sampling for biological markers, and questionnaires on depressive symptoms, quality of life, and costs. Self-reported measures will be collected regularly during the intervention and follow-up periods. Safety monitoring will track adverse events related to depression and exercise. The entire trial spans one year of follow-up after the interventions, with ongoing data collection and evaluation.

Aerobic Versus Leisure Group for Adolescents With Depression