This study is currently not recruiting participants.

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

  • STATUS
    Not Recruiting
  • End date
    Nov 29, 2029
  • participants needed
    100
  • sponsor
    University of Wisconsin, Madison
Send
Updated on 29 October 2025
See if I qualify

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 alliance, behavioral activation). To assess the utility of this treatment augmentation, investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial involving 100 adults with Major Depressive Disorder who will watch a nature documentary while either resting quietly ( 'CalmCBT') or exercising at a moderate intensity ('ActiveCBT') immediately prior to 8 weekly sessions of CBT.

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']) to treat depression.

Specific aims are to 1) demonstrate the effects of exercise priming on mechanisms associated with therapy success (i.e., working alliance, behavioral activation) and 2) determine the efficacy of exercise priming for treatment of depression and strength of relationship with engagement of target CBT mechanisms.

The primary outcomes of this trial are participant-rated working alliance and change in behavioral activation each averaged across all eight sessions. Secondary outcomes include post-intervention depressive scores (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale).

For safety, suicide severity will be evaluated using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale.

Details
Condition Major Depressive Disorder
Age 18years - 65years
Clinical Study IdentifierNCT07221929
SponsorUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison
Last Modified on29 October 2025

Similar trials to consider

Not finding what you're looking for?

Every year hundreds of thousands of volunteers step forward to participate in research. Sign up as a volunteer and receive email notifications when clinical trials are posted in the medical category of interest to you.

Sign up as volunteer
Add a private note
  • abc Select a piece of text.
  • Add notes visible only to you.
  • Send it to people through a passcode protected link.