Analogue Generalized Anxiety DisorderNCT04116944
The Resistance Exercise Training for Worry Trial
A study testing Resistance exercise training and Wait-list in people with Analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder, run by University of Limerick at 1 site in Ireland.
Trial summary
This protocol details the full methods of two parallel, randomized controlled trials of an eight-week resistance exercise training intervention compared to a wait-list control condition among young adults with and without analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- What is being tested?
- Resistance exercise training and Wait-list
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 95 participants
- Where
- 1 siteIreland
- Study dates
- 18 Jan 2018to 3 May 2019
- 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 to 40 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Inclusion criteria were age 18-40y; no medical contraindication to safe participation in resistance exercise training; and no current pregnancy or lactation.
Who cannot join
- -
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Ireland1 site
The Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences Building
Limerick
About this study
Official title: Effects of Resistance Exercise Among Young Adults With and Without Analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
This protocol details the full methods of two parallel, randomized controlled trials of an eight-week resistance exercise training intervention compared to a wait-list control condition among young adults with and without analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Read the detailed description
Recent meta-analyses support the chronic anxiolytic effects of resistance exercise training among women with diagnosed Generalized Anxiety Disorder. However, the effects of resistance exercise training among those with subclinical, or analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder is unknown. This protocol details the full methods of two parallel, randomized controlled trials of an eight-week resistance exercise training intervention compared to a wait-list control condition among young adults with and without analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder status was determined using validated cut-scores for both the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire Generalized Anxiety Disorder sub-scale score of 6 or greater, and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire score of 45 or greater. The ecologically-valid resistance exercise training was designed according to World Health Organization and American College of Sports Medicine guidelines.
- Conditions
- Analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Being tested
- Resistance exercise training, Wait-list
- Keywords
- anxiety
- Medical subject headings
- Anxiety Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Resistance exercise trainingBehavioural
Also called weight-lifting, strength training
The ecologically-valid resistance exercise training was designed according to World Health Organization and American College of Sports Medicine guidelines. The eight-week, twice-weekly intervention was designed to be performed at a moderate intensity. The resistance of each exercise was such that when participants could successfully complete 2 sets of 12 repetitions at a certain load, the resistance was increased incrementally up to 5% for the following session. Exercise sessions were scheduled with at least one day of rest between sessions. The eight exercises included the barbell squat, barbell bench press, hexagon bar deadlift, dumbbell shoulder lateral raise, barbell bent over rows, dumbbell lunges, dumbbell curls, and abdominal crunches.
Wait-listOther
Participants randomized to the delayed-start wait-list condition completed questionnaires once-weekly. The investigator sent a weekly email to the participant providing links to the questionnaires. Participants that completed the eight-week wait-list condition were offered the eight weeks of RET either immediately upon completion, or later at a time of their convenience while the trial was ongoing. Each participant randomized to the eight-week wait-list also completed two 30-minute bouts of seated quiet rest in an empty room at weeks one and eight.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Resistance Training | Experimental | Resistance exercise training among young adults with analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Receives: Behavioral: Resistance exercise training |
| Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Wait-List | Other | 8-week wait-list control condition among young adults with analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Receives: Other: Wait-list |
| Non-Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Resistance Training | Experimental | Resistance exercise training among young adults without analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Receives: Behavioral: Resistance exercise training |
| Non-Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Wait-List | Other | 8-week wait-list control condition among young adults with analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Receives: Other: Wait-list |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
The Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire Generalized Anxiety Disorder subscale score of 6 or greater (Zimmerman \& Mattia, 2001, Arch of Gen Psychiatr)
Measured: Baseline
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
The Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire Generalized Anxiety Disorder subscale score of 6 or greater (Zimmerman \& Mattia, 2001, Arch of Gen Psychiatr)
Measured: week1
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
The Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire Generalized Anxiety Disorder subscale score of 6 or greater (Zimmerman \& Mattia, 2001, Arch of Gen Psychiatr)
Measured: week 4
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
The Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire Generalized Anxiety Disorder subscale score of 6 or greater (Zimmerman \& Mattia, 2001, Arch of Gen Psychiatr)
Measured: week 8
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
The Penn State Worry Questionnaire score of 45 or greater (Meyer et al., 1990, Behav Res and Ther)
Measured: Baseline
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
The Penn State Worry Questionnaire score of 45 or greater (Meyer et al., 1990, Behav Res and Ther)
Measured: week1
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
The Penn State Worry Questionnaire score of 45 or greater (Meyer et al., 1990, Behav Res and Ther)
Measured: week 4
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
The Penn State Worry Questionnaire score of 45 or greater (Meyer et al., 1990, Behav Res and Ther)
Measured: week 8
Secondary outcomes (69)
Anxiety Symptoms
State and trait anxiety were measured using the State (STAI-Y1) and Trait (STAI-Y2) subscales of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 2010, Corsini Encycl of Psychol)
Measured: Baseline
Anxiety Symptoms
State and trait anxiety were measured using the State (STAI-Y1) and Trait (STAI-Y2) subscales of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 2010, Corsini Encycl of Psychol)
Measured: week 1
Anxiety Symptoms
State and trait anxiety were measured using the State (STAI-Y1) and Trait (STAI-Y2) subscales of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 2010, Corsini Encycl of Psychol)
Measured: week 2
Anxiety Symptoms
State and trait anxiety were measured using the State (STAI-Y1) and Trait (STAI-Y2) subscales of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 2010, Corsini Encycl of Psychol)
Measured: week 3
Anxiety Symptoms
State and trait anxiety were measured using the State (STAI-Y1) and Trait (STAI-Y2) subscales of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 2010, Corsini Encycl of Psychol)
Measured: week 4
Anxiety Symptoms
State and trait anxiety were measured using the State (STAI-Y1) and Trait (STAI-Y2) subscales of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 2010, Corsini Encycl of Psychol)
Measured: week 5
Anxiety Symptoms
State and trait anxiety were measured using the State (STAI-Y1) and Trait (STAI-Y2) subscales of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 2010, Corsini Encycl of Psychol)
Measured: Week 6
Anxiety Symptoms
State and trait anxiety were measured using the State (STAI-Y1) and Trait (STAI-Y2) subscales of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 2010, Corsini Encycl of Psychol)
Measured: Week 7
Anxiety Symptoms
State and trait anxiety were measured using the State (STAI-Y1) and Trait (STAI-Y2) subscales of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 2010, Corsini Encycl of Psychol)
Measured: Week 8
Depressive Symptoms
16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (Rush et al., 2003, Bio Psychiatr)
Measured: Baseline
Depressive Symptoms
16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (Rush et al., 2003, Bio Psychiatr)
Measured: Week 1
Depressive Symptoms
16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (Rush et al., 2003, Bio Psychiatr)
Measured: Week 2
Depressive Symptoms
16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (Rush et al., 2003, Bio Psychiatr)
Measured: Week 3
Depressive Symptoms
16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (Rush et al., 2003, Bio Psychiatr)
Measured: Week 4
Depressive Symptoms
16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (Rush et al., 2003, Bio Psychiatr)
Measured: Week 5
Depressive Symptoms
16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (Rush et al., 2003, Bio Psychiatr)
Measured: Week 6
Depressive Symptoms
16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (Rush et al., 2003, Bio Psychiatr)
Measured: Week 7
Depressive Symptoms
16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (Rush et al., 2003, Bio Psychiatr)
Measured: Week 8
Mood
Subscales of the Profile of Mood States - Brief Form (McNair et al., 1992)
Measured: Baseline
Mood
Subscales of the Profile of Mood States - Brief Form (McNair et al., 1992)
Measured: Week 1
Mood
Subscales of the Profile of Mood States - Brief Form (McNair et al., 1992)
Measured: Week 2
Mood
Subscales of the Profile of Mood States - Brief Form (McNair et al., 1992)
Measured: Week 3
Mood
Subscales of the Profile of Mood States - Brief Form (McNair et al., 1992)
Measured: Week 4
Mood
Subscales of the Profile of Mood States - Brief Form (McNair et al., 1992)
Measured: Week 5
Mood
Subscales of the Profile of Mood States - Brief Form (McNair et al., 1992)
Measured: Week 6
Mood
Subscales of the Profile of Mood States - Brief Form (McNair et al., 1992)
Measured: Week 7
Mood
Subscales of the Profile of Mood States - Brief Form (McNair et al., 1992)
Measured: Week 8
Irritability
21-item Irritability Questionnaire (Craig et al., 2008, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Baseline
Irritability
21-item Irritability Questionnaire (Craig et al., 2008, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 1
Irritability
21-item Irritability Questionnaire (Craig et al., 2008, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 2
Irritability
21-item Irritability Questionnaire (Craig et al., 2008, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 3
Irritability
21-item Irritability Questionnaire (Craig et al., 2008, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 4
Irritability
21-item Irritability Questionnaire (Craig et al., 2008, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 5
Irritability
21-item Irritability Questionnaire (Craig et al., 2008, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 6
Irritability
21-item Irritability Questionnaire (Craig et al., 2008, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 7
Irritability
21-item Irritability Questionnaire (Craig et al., 2008, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 8
Sleep Quality
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse et al., 1989, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Baseline
Sleep Quality
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse et al., 1989, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 1
Sleep Quality
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse et al., 1989, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 2
Sleep Quality
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse et al., 1989, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 3
Sleep Quality
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse et al., 1989, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 4
Sleep Quality
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse et al., 1989, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 5
Sleep Quality
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse et al., 1989, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 6
Sleep Quality
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse et al., 1989, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 7
Sleep Quality
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse et al., 1989, Psychiatr Res)
Measured: Week 8
Non-Intervention Physical Activity
7-day Physical Activity Recall (Blair et al., 1985, Am J of Epidemiol)
Measured: Baseline
Non-Intervention Physical Activity
7-day Physical Activity Recall (Blair et al., 1985, Am J of Epidemiol)
Measured: Week 1
Non-Intervention Physical Activity
7-day Physical Activity Recall (Blair et al., 1985, Am J of Epidemiol)
Measured: Week 2
Non-Intervention Physical Activity
7-day Physical Activity Recall (Blair et al., 1985, Am J of Epidemiol)
Measured: Week 3
Non-Intervention Physical Activity
7-day Physical Activity Recall (Blair et al., 1985, Am J of Epidemiol)
Measured: Week 4
Non-Intervention Physical Activity
7-day Physical Activity Recall (Blair et al., 1985, Am J of Epidemiol)
Measured: Week 5
Non-Intervention Physical Activity
7-day Physical Activity Recall (Blair et al., 1985, Am J of Epidemiol)
Measured: Week 6
Non-Intervention Physical Activity
7-day Physical Activity Recall (Blair et al., 1985, Am J of Epidemiol)
Measured: Week 7
Non-Intervention Physical Activity
7-day Physical Activity Recall (Blair et al., 1985, Am J of Epidemiol)
Measured: Week 8
A novel questionnaire assessing expectancy of exercise to improve or not to improve physical and mental health outcomes. (Lindheimer et al., 2019, Eur J of Sport Sci)
Participants are asked to what degree they believe a single bout of exercise will improve or worsen various domains of physical and mental health
Measured: Baseline
A novel questionnaire assessing expectancy of exercise to improve or not to improve physical and mental health outcomes. (Lindheimer et al., 2019, Eur J of Sport Sci)
Participants are asked to what degree they believe a single bout of exercise will improve or worsen various domains of physical and mental health
Measured: Week 1
A novel questionnaire assessing expectancy of exercise to improve or not to improve physical and mental health outcomes. (Lindheimer et al., 2019, Eur J of Sport Sci)
Participants are asked to what degree they believe a single bout of exercise will improve or worsen various domains of physical and mental health
Measured: Week 2
A novel questionnaire assessing expectancy of exercise to improve or not to improve physical and mental health outcomes. (Lindheimer et al., 2019, Eur J of Sport Sci)
Participants are asked to what degree they believe a single bout of exercise will improve or worsen various domains of physical and mental health
Measured: Week 3
A novel questionnaire assessing expectancy of exercise to improve or not to improve physical and mental health outcomes. (Lindheimer et al., 2019, Eur J of Sport Sci)
Participants are asked to what degree they believe a single bout of exercise will improve or worsen various domains of physical and mental health
Measured: Week 4
A novel questionnaire assessing expectancy of exercise to improve or not to improve physical and mental health outcomes. (Lindheimer et al., 2019, Eur J of Sport Sci)
Participants are asked to what degree they believe a single bout of exercise will improve or worsen various domains of physical and mental health
Measured: Week 5
A novel questionnaire assessing expectancy of exercise to improve or not to improve physical and mental health outcomes. (Lindheimer et al., 2019, Eur J of Sport Sci)
Participants are asked to what degree they believe a single bout of exercise will improve or worsen various domains of physical and mental health
Measured: Week 6
A novel questionnaire assessing expectancy of exercise to improve or not to improve physical and mental health outcomes. (Lindheimer et al., 2019, Eur J of Sport Sci)
Participants are asked to what degree they believe a single bout of exercise will improve or worsen various domains of physical and mental health
Measured: Week 7
A novel questionnaire assessing expectancy of exercise to improve or not to improve physical and mental health outcomes. (Lindheimer et al., 2019, Eur J of Sport Sci)
Participants are asked to what degree they believe a single bout of exercise will improve or worsen various domains of physical and mental health
Measured: Week 8
Attentional Biases
Attentional bias to positive, negative, and neutral facial images (Gotlin et al., 2004, J of Abnorm Psychol)
Measured: Baseline
Attentional Biases
Attentional bias to positive, negative, and neutral facial images (Gotlin et al., 2004, J of Abnorm Psychol)
Measured: Week 1
Attentional Biases
Attentional bias to positive, negative, and neutral facial images (Gotlin et al., 2004, J of Abnorm Psychol)
Measured: Week 8
Cognitive Function
Stroop colour and word test, (Williams et al., 1996, Psychol Bull) and Trail Making Test (Tombaugh, 2004, Arch of Clin Neuropsychol)
Measured: Baseline
Cognitive Function
Stroop colour and word test, (Williams et al., 1996, Psychol Bull) and Trail Making Test (Tombaugh, 2004, Arch of Clin Neuropsychol)
Measured: Week1
Cognitive Function
Stroop colour and word test, (Williams et al., 1996, Psychol Bull) and Trail Making Test (Tombaugh, 2004, Arch of Clin Neuropsychol)
Measured: Week 8
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Oct 2019
- Study start18 Jan 2018
- Primary completion3 May 2019
- Study completion3 May 2019
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Analogue Generalized Anxiety DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Model description
- Two parallel, randomized controlled trials of an eight-week resistance exercise training intervention compared to a wait-list control condition among young adults with and without analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 95 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Limerick
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Irish Research Council
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04116944
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2017_03_18_EHS
- Status last verified
- Oct 2019
- First submitted
- 3 Oct 2019
- Last updated
- 7 Oct 2019
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data for all primary and secondary outcomes measures will be made available.
Publications
O'Sullivan D, Gordon BR, Lyons M, Meyer JD, Herring MP. Effects of Resistance Exercise on Depressed Mood State: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Nov 1;57(11):2496-2502. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003769. Epub 2025 May 29.
PubMed 40440519Gordon BR, McDowell CP, Lyons M, Herring MP. The effects of acute resistance exercise among young adults: A randomized controlled trial. J Affect Disord. 2022 Feb 15;299:102-107. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.11.049. Epub 2021 Nov 18.
PubMed 34801607Gordon BR, McDowell CP, Lyons M, Herring MP. Resistance exercise training for anxiety and worry symptoms among young adults: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 16;10(1):17548. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-74608-6.
PubMed 33067493
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Oct 2019. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Resistance Exercise Among Young Adults With and Without Analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04116944
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2017_03_18_EHS
- Conditions
- Analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Keywords
- anxiety
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 95 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of LimerickUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Irish Research Council
- Study start
- 18 Jan 2018 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 3 May 2019 (actual)
- Study completion
- 3 May 2019 (actual)
- First posted
- 7 Oct 2019 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This protocol details the full methods of two parallel, randomized controlled trials of an eight-week resistance exercise training intervention compared to a wait-list control condition among young adults with and without analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Detailed description
Recent meta-analyses support the chronic anxiolytic effects of resistance exercise training among women with diagnosed Generalized Anxiety Disorder. However, the effects of resistance exercise training among those with subclinical, or analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder is unknown. This protocol details the full methods of two parallel, randomized controlled trials of an eight-week resistance exercise training intervention compared to a wait-list control condition among young adults with and without analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder status was determined using validated cut-scores for both the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire Generalized Anxiety Disorder sub-scale score of 6 or greater, and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire score of 45 or greater. The ecologically-valid resistance exercise training was designed according to World Health Organization and American College of Sports Medicine guidelines.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 4
- Model description
- Two parallel, randomized controlled trials of an eight-week resistance exercise training intervention compared to a wait-list control condition among young adults with and without analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Resistance Training | Experimental | Behavioral: Resistance exercise trainingResistance exercise training among young adults with analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder |
| Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Wait-List | Other | Other: Wait-list8-week wait-list control condition among young adults with analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder |
| Non-Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Resistance Training | Experimental | Behavioral: Resistance exercise trainingResistance exercise training among young adults without analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder |
| Non-Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Wait-List | Other | Other: Wait-list8-week wait-list control condition among young adults with analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Inclusion criteria were age 18-40y; no medical contraindication to safe participation in resistance exercise training; and no current pregnancy or lactation.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- -
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance exercise trainingAlso: weight-lifting, strength trainingThe ecologically-valid resistance exercise training was designed according to World Health Organization and American College of Sports Medicine guidelines. The eight-week, twice-weekly intervention was designed to be performed at a moderate intensity. The resistance of each exercise was such that when participants could successfully complete 2 sets of 12 repetitions at a certain load, the resistance was increased incrementally up to 5% for the following session. Exercise sessions were scheduled with at least one day of rest between sessions. The eight exercises included the barbell squat, barbell bench press, hexagon bar deadlift, dumbbell shoulder lateral raise, barbell bent over rows, dumbbell lunges, dumbbell curls, and abdominal crunches. | Behavioural | Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Resistance Training, Non-Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Resistance Training |
| Wait-listParticipants randomized to the delayed-start wait-list condition completed questionnaires once-weekly. The investigator sent a weekly email to the participant providing links to the questionnaires. Participants that completed the eight-week wait-list condition were offered the eight weeks of RET either immediately upon completion, or later at a time of their convenience while the trial was ongoing. Each participant randomized to the eight-week wait-list also completed two 30-minute bouts of seated quiet rest in an empty room at weeks one and eight. | Other | Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Wait-List, Non-Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Wait-List |
Primary outcome
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
Time frame: Baseline
The Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire Generalized Anxiety Disorder subscale score of 6 or greater (Zimmerman \& Mattia, 2001, Arch of Gen Psychiatr)
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
Time frame: week1
The Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire Generalized Anxiety Disorder subscale score of 6 or greater (Zimmerman \& Mattia, 2001, Arch of Gen Psychiatr)
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
Time frame: week 4
The Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire Generalized Anxiety Disorder subscale score of 6 or greater (Zimmerman \& Mattia, 2001, Arch of Gen Psychiatr)
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
Time frame: week 8
The Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire Generalized Anxiety Disorder subscale score of 6 or greater (Zimmerman \& Mattia, 2001, Arch of Gen Psychiatr)
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
Time frame: Baseline
The Penn State Worry Questionnaire score of 45 or greater (Meyer et al., 1990, Behav Res and Ther)
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
Time frame: week1
The Penn State Worry Questionnaire score of 45 or greater (Meyer et al., 1990, Behav Res and Ther)
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
Time frame: week 4
The Penn State Worry Questionnaire score of 45 or greater (Meyer et al., 1990, Behav Res and Ther)
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status
Time frame: week 8
The Penn State Worry Questionnaire score of 45 or greater (Meyer et al., 1990, Behav Res and Ther)
69 secondary outcomes
Anxiety Symptoms
Time frame: Baseline
Anxiety Symptoms
Time frame: week 1
Anxiety Symptoms
Time frame: week 2
Anxiety Symptoms
Time frame: week 3
Anxiety Symptoms
Time frame: week 4
Anxiety Symptoms
Time frame: week 5
Anxiety Symptoms
Time frame: Week 6
Anxiety Symptoms
Time frame: Week 7
Anxiety Symptoms
Time frame: Week 8
Depressive Symptoms
Time frame: Baseline
Depressive Symptoms
Time frame: Week 1
Depressive Symptoms
Time frame: Week 2
Depressive Symptoms
Time frame: Week 3
Depressive Symptoms
Time frame: Week 4
Depressive Symptoms
Time frame: Week 5
Depressive Symptoms
Time frame: Week 6
Depressive Symptoms
Time frame: Week 7
Depressive Symptoms
Time frame: Week 8
Mood
Time frame: Baseline
Mood
Time frame: Week 1
Mood
Time frame: Week 2
Mood
Time frame: Week 3
Mood
Time frame: Week 4
Mood
Time frame: Week 5
Mood
Time frame: Week 6
Mood
Time frame: Week 7
Mood
Time frame: Week 8
Irritability
Time frame: Baseline
Irritability
Time frame: Week 1
Irritability
Time frame: Week 2
Irritability
Time frame: Week 3
Irritability
Time frame: Week 4
Irritability
Time frame: Week 5
Irritability
Time frame: Week 6
Irritability
Time frame: Week 7
Irritability
Time frame: Week 8
Sleep Quality
Time frame: Baseline
Sleep Quality
Time frame: Week 1
Sleep Quality
Time frame: Week 2
Sleep Quality
Time frame: Week 3
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Oct 2019.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 40440519O'Sullivan D, Gordon BR, Lyons M, Meyer JD, Herring MP. Effects of Resistance Exercise on Depressed Mood State: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2025 Nov 1;57(11):2496-2502. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000003769. Epub 2025 May 29.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 34801607Gordon BR, McDowell CP, Lyons M, Herring MP. The effects of acute resistance exercise among young adults: A randomized controlled trial. J Affect Disord. 2022 Feb 15;299:102-107. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.11.049. Epub 2021 Nov 18.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 33067493Gordon BR, McDowell CP, Lyons M, Herring MP. Resistance exercise training for anxiety and worry symptoms among young adults: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 16;10(1):17548. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-74608-6.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data for all primary and secondary outcomes measures will be made available.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Resistance exercise training and Wait-list in people with Analogue Generalized Anxiety Disorder, run by University of Limerick at 1 site in Ireland.
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 1 inclusion and 1 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Oct 2019. 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 Ireland. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder Status (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 8 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 NCT04116944, which also lists 3 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 7 Oct 2019.