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DepressionNCT01619930

The Effects of Behavioral Activation and Physical Exercise on Depression

A study testing Physical activity without motivational interviewing, Physical exercise with motivational interviewing and Behavioral activation with rationale in people with Depression, run by Umeå University at 1 site in Sweden.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to compare an internet-based behavioral activation program with a physical activation program, as treatments for mild to moderate depression. The added effect of rationale and motivational interviewing will also be studied, as well as the effects of relapse prevention program. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Depression
What is being tested?
Physical activity without motivational interviewing, Physical exercise with motivational interviewing and Behavioral activation with rationale
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
319 participants
Where
1 siteSweden
Study dates
Aug 2012to May 2018
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Satisfy DSM-IV (or DSM-V) criteria for depression, with depression being primary diagnosis
  • Scoring within the interval 15-35 on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
  • Living in Sweden and being able to read Swedish
  • Access to computer with internet connection

Who cannot join

  • Currently receiving other psychological treatment
  • Non-stable use of psychoactive medication
  • Deemed to suffer from a too severe depression
  • Deemed to suffer from other psychological disorder, e.g. psychosis, bipolarity etc.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Sweden1 site
  • Department of Psychology, Umeå University

    Umeå, Västerbotten County, 90181

Other trials in Sweden

About this study

Official title: The Effects on Depression of Internet-administered Behavioural Activation and Physical Exercise With Treatment Rationale and Relapse Prevention: Study Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to compare an internet-based behavioral activation program with a physical activation program, as treatments for mild to moderate depression. The added effect of rationale and motivational interviewing will also be studied, as well as the effects of relapse prevention program.

Read the detailed description

BACKGROUND:

Despite their potential as low-threshold, low-cost and high-flexibility treatments of depression, behavioural activation and physical exercise have not yet been directly compared. This study will examine the effects of these interventions, administered via the Internet. The added effect of providing a treatment rationale will also be studied, as well as a relapse prevention program featuring cognitive behavioural therapy components.

METHODS/DESIGN:

This randomised controlled trial will include 500 participants meeting the diagnostic criteria for major depression, recruited in multiple cycles and randomised to either a waiting list control group with delayed treatment, or one of the four treatment groups: (1) physical exercise without a clear treatment rationale; (2) physical exercise with treatment rationale; (3) behavioural activation with treatment rationale; or (4) behavioural activation without a clear treatment rationale. Post treatment, half of the participants will be offered a relapse prevention program. Primary outcome measure will be the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item. Secondary measures include diagnostic criteria for depression, as well as self-reported anxiety, physical activity and quality of life. Measurements - done via telephone and the Internet - will be collected pre-treatment, weekly during treatment period, immediately post treatment and then monthly during a 24-month follow-up period.

DISCUSSION:

The results of this study will constitute an important contribution to the body of knowledge of the respective interventions.

Conditions
Depression
Being tested
Physical activity without motivational interviewing, Physical exercise with motivational interviewing, Behavioral activation with rationale, Behavioral activation without rationale
Keywords
Depression, Behavioral activation
Medical subject headings
Depression

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Physical activity without motivational interviewingBehavioural

    Focus is on physical exercise, motivated by research findings that it has a positive effect on depressive symptoms. An individualized exercise program is constructed, to be followed by the respective participant. A user-friendly pulse watch will be mailed to participants. Exercise is monitored through online self-registration with automated feedback.

  • Physical exercise with motivational interviewingBehavioural

    Focus is on physical exercise, motivated by research findings that it has a positive effect on depressive symptoms. An individualized exercise program is constructed, to be followed by the respective participant. A user-friendly pulse watch will be mailed to participants. Exercise is monitored through online self-registration with automated feedback. An initial motivational interview (MI) per telephone is also conducted, to explore the intrinsic motivation to change in participants.

  • Behavioral activation with rationaleBehavioural

    A behavioral activation program, based on the TRAP-TRAC model according to which suffering individuals are trapped in a vicious circle of avoidance and ever fewer reinforcers, leading to increasing discomfort. To break free of this vicious circle, patients have to replace avoidance patterns with alternative coping strategies. Unlike previous applications of this program done in the U.S., this study will feature an internet-based administration. Approximately 15 minutes of electronic therapist support will be included per week.

  • Behavioral activation without rationaleBehavioural

    A behavioral activation program without TRAP-TRAC rationale, but with some encouragement provided ("Activate yourself and feel better!"). Approximately 15 minutes of electronic therapist support will be included per week.

Study groups in NCT01619930
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
1aExperimentalIn phase 1, group 1 undergoes physical activation without added motivation interviewing. Post-treatment (phase 2), group 1 is divided by randomization into group 1a and 1b, where 1a receives relapse prevention and 1b does not. Both 1a and 1b undergo post-treatment measurements as previously described. n = 50 + 12 = 62 (50 from group 1 + 12 from waiting list control group)
Receives: Behavioral: Physical activity without motivational interviewing
1bExperimentalIn phase 1, group 1 undergoes physical activation without added motivation interviewing. Post-treatment (phase 2), group 1 is divided by randomization into group 1a and 1b, where 1a receives relapse prevention and 1b does not. Both 1a and 1b undergo post-treatment measurements as previously described. n = 50 + 12 = 62 (50 from group 1 + 12 from waiting list control group)
Receives: Behavioral: Physical activity without motivational interviewing
2aExperimentalIn phase 1, group 2 undergoes physical activation with added motivation interviewing. Post-treatment (phase 2), group 2 is divided by randomization into group 2a and 2b, where 2a receives relapse prevention and 2b does not. Both 2a and 2b undergo post-treatment measurements as previously described. n = 50 + 12 = 62 (50 from group 2 + 12 from waiting list control group)
Receives: Behavioral: Physical exercise with motivational interviewing
2bExperimentalIn phase 1, group 2 undergoes physical activation with added motivation interviewing. Post-treatment (phase 2), group 2 is divided by randomization into group 2a and 2b, where 2a receives relapse prevention and 2b does not. Both 2a and 2b undergo post-treatment measurements as previously described. n = 50 + 12 = 62 (50 from group 2 + 12 from waiting list control group)
Receives: Behavioral: Physical exercise with motivational interviewing
3aExperimentalIn phase 1, group 3 undergoes behavioral activation with added motivation interviewing. Post-treatment (phase 2), group 3 is divided by randomization into group 3a and 3b, where 3a receives relapse prevention and 3b does not. Both 3a and 3b undergo post-treatment measurements as previously described. n = 50 + 12 = 62 (50 from group 3 + 12 from waiting list control group)
Receives: Behavioral: Behavioral activation with rationale
3bExperimentalIn phase 1, group 3 undergoes behavioral activation with added motivation interviewing. Post-treatment (phase 2), group 3 is divided by randomization into group 3a and 3b, where 3a receives relapse prevention and 3b does not. Both 3a and 3b undergo post-treatment measurements as previously described. n = 50 + 12 = 62 (50 from group 3 + 12 from waiting list control group)
Receives: Behavioral: Behavioral activation with rationale
4aExperimentalIn phase 1, group 4 undergoes behavioral activation without added motivation interviewing. Post-treatment (phase 2), group 4 is divided by randomization into group 4a and 4b, where 4a receives relapse prevention and 4b does not. Both 4a and 4b undergo post-treatment measurements as previously described. n = 50 + 12 = 62 (50 from group 4 + 12 from waiting list control group)
Receives: Behavioral: Behavioral activation without rationale
4bExperimentalIn phase 1, group 4 undergoes behavioral activation with added motivation interviewing. Post-treatment (phase 2), group 4 is divided by randomization into group 4a and 4b, where 4a receives relapse prevention and 4b does not. Both 4a and 4b undergo post-treatment measurements as previously described. n = 50 + 12 = 62 (50 from group 4 + 12 from waiting list control group)
Receives: Behavioral: Behavioral activation without rationale
Phase 1 Waiting list control groupNo interventionControl group during phase 1, in parallel with treatment groups 1-4. Weekly self-report measurements, the results of which are conveyed in the form of individualized feedback. After 12 weeks, the participants of the control group (n = 100) are randomized to one four phase 1 active treatment groups (1-4) and receive treatment accordingly.

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change from baseline in Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

    The PHQ-9 is the nine item depression scale of the Patient Health Questionnaire. The PHQ-9 is a powerful tool for assisting primary care clinicians in diagnosing depression as well as selecting and monitoring treatment. The PHQ-9 is based directly on the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).

    Measured: Weekly during treatment period of 12 weeks

  2. Change from baseline in Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

    The PHQ-9 is the nine item depression scale of the Patient Health Questionnaire. The PHQ-9 is a powerful tool for assisting primary care clinicians in diagnosing depression as well as selecting and monitoring treatment. The PHQ-9 is based directly on the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).

    Measured: 24 hours

  3. Change from baseline in Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

    The PHQ-9 is the nine item depression scale of the Patient Health Questionnaire. The PHQ-9 is a powerful tool for assisting primary care clinicians in diagnosing depression as well as selecting and monitoring treatment. The PHQ-9 is based directly on the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).

    Measured: 12 months

  4. Change from baseline in Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

    The PHQ-9 is the nine item depression scale of the Patient Health Questionnaire. The PHQ-9 is a powerful tool for assisting primary care clinicians in diagnosing depression as well as selecting and monitoring treatment. The PHQ-9 is based directly on the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).

    Measured: 24 months

  5. Change from baseline in Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

    The PHQ-9 is the nine item depression scale of the Patient Health Questionnaire. The PHQ-9 is a powerful tool for assisting primary care clinicians in diagnosing depression as well as selecting and monitoring treatment. The PHQ-9 is based directly on the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fourth Edition (DSM-IV).

    Measured: Monthly, 0-24 months

Secondary outcomes (11)
  1. Change from baseline in Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)

    7-item screening form for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

    Measured: 24 hours

  2. Change from baseline in Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)

    7-item screening form for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

    Measured: 12 months

  3. Change from baseline in Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)

    7-item screening form for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

    Measured: 24 months

  4. Change from baseline in Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)

    7-item screening form for Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

    Measured: Monthly, 0-24 months

  5. Change from baseline in the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)

    The International Physical Activity Questionnaire is a measure of physical activity.

    Measured: 24 hours

  6. Change from baseline in the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)

    The International Physical Activity Questionnaire is a measure of physical activity.

    Measured: 12 months

  7. Change from baseline in the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)

    The International Physical Activity Questionnaire is a measure of physical activity.

    Measured: 24 months

  8. Change from baseline in Quality Of Life Inventory (QOLI)

    The QOLI assessment yields an overall score and a profile of problems and strengths in 16 areas of life such as love, work and play. The QOLI test is a measure of positive psychology and positive mental health.

    Measured: 24 hours

  9. Change from baseline in Quality Of Life Inventory (QOLI)

    The QOLI assessment yields an overall score and a profile of problems and strengths in 16 areas of life such as love, work and play. The QOLI test is a measure of positive psychology and positive mental health.

    Measured: 12 months

  10. Change from baseline in Quality Of Life Inventory (QOLI)

    The QOLI assessment yields an overall score and a profile of problems and strengths in 16 areas of life such as love, work and play. The QOLI test is a measure of positive psychology and positive mental health.

    Measured: 24 months

  11. Change from baseline in MINI

    The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview is a short, structured interview designed for clinicians to diagnose axel I DSM-IV and ICD-10 disorders.

    Measured: Monthly, 0-24 months

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted14 Jun 2012 (estimated)
  2. Study startAug 2012
  3. Primary completionJan 2017 (estimated)
  4. Study completionMay 2018 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
319 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01619930
Sponsor's protocol ID
ACTUA
Status last verified
Oct 2016
First submitted
12 Jun 2012
Last updated
1 Nov 2016
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Carlbring P, Lindner P, Martell C, Hassmen P, Forsberg L, Strom L, Andersson G. The effects on depression of Internet-administered behavioural activation and physical exercise with treatment rationale and relapse prevention: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials. 2013 Feb 2;14:35. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-14-35.

    PubMed 23374879
  • Hlynsson JI, Kristjansson T, Andersson G, Carlbring P; ACTUA research group. Evaluating the necessity of booster sessions in relapse prevention for depression: a longitudinal study. Front Psychol. 2025 Jun 24;16:1568141. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1568141. eCollection 2025.

    PubMed 40631058

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Physical activity without motivational interviewing, Physical exercise with motivational interviewing and Behavioral activation with rationale in people with Depression, run by Umeå University at 1 site in Sweden.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Nov 2016. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Sweden. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change from baseline in Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) (time frame: Weekly during treatment period of 12 weeks). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01619930, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Nov 2016.

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