Digital Study to Increase Physical Activity and Reduce Depression in Adults Ages 19 to 40

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to evaluate the effects of a four-week digital intervention designed to increase physical activity and reduce symptoms of depression among adults experiencing moderate or greater depressive symptoms. Researchers want to find out if using a digital program to encourage physical activity can help improve mood and increase exercise levels compared to no intervention. The study focuses on adults aged 19 to 40 with depressive symptoms and low physical activity. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will use the Pathverse mobile app on their Apple or Android smartphone, which sends daily reminders to engage in physical activities they enjoy. They choose about five types of activity to do during the four weeks and report the type, duration, and intensity of each activity. The other group will serve as a passive control, having their mental health monitored without receiving the intervention, but they will be offered the app after the study if they want. Participants will visit the laboratory four times twice before and twice after the intervention, with one week of physical activity monitoring before group assignment and after the intervention. Researchers will assess depressive symptoms at multiple points, including before, during, and immediately after the intervention, and measure moderate-to-vigorous physical activity before and after the study. The study runs from September 2025 to May 2026 and is sponsored by Auburn University.

Digital Intervention for Physical Activity