Exercise for Anxiety

NCT ID: NCT04638946

Last Updated: 2025-12-17

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

111 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-06-30

Study Completion Date

2026-04-30

Brief Summary

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90 sedentary adults with a primary anxiety disorder and high anxiety sensitivity will be randomized to either 8 weeks of 1) low intensity exercise, or 2) flexible titration to high intensity exercise (HIE). Blinded, validated clinician-rated and patient-rated outcomes will be assessed over treatment and at 1- and 3-month follow-up. To better understand what mechanisms influence decisions to exercise in the real-world, we will use of heart rate (HR) as an objective mechanistic target for exercise intensity, examine changes in valuation of exercise through a neuroeconomics task, examine changes in interoceptive sensitivity with a heartbeat detection task, and integrate of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to measure effects of immediate changes in mood with exercise on anxiety outcomes and adherence.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Anxiety

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Titration to high intensity exercise

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Titration to high intensity exercise (T-HIE)

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

All participants will receive psychoeducation regarding the rationale for using exercise as a strategy to create immediate changes in mood and anxiety. Participants will be instructed in basic motivational principles (e.g., breaking up goals into smaller parts, using rewards) based on information in Exercise for Mood and Anxiety. Participants will begin at low intensity with the goal of titrating to high intensity by 2 weeks prior to the end of trial (Week 6). If a participant achieves at least 70% of the duration goal at the target heart rate, he/she will be titrated to the next dose level (moderate intensity). This will continue until high intensity exercise is achieved. Prescription is based on heart rate reserve((maximum heart rate \[220-age\] - resting heart rate)\*intensity percent - resting heart rate. Intensity percent lower/upper limits for moderate intensity are 40-59% and for high intensity are 60-84%.

Low intensity exercise

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Low intensity exercise prescription

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

All participants will receive psychoeducation regarding the rationale for using exercise as a strategy to create immediate changes in mood and anxiety. Participants will be instructed in basic motivational principles (e.g., breaking up goals into smaller parts, using rewards) based on information in Exercise for Mood and Anxiety. Prescription is based on heart rate reserve ((maximum heart rate \[220-age\] - resting heart rate)\*30-39% (lower/upper limit of zone) - resting heart rate.

Interventions

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Titration to high intensity exercise (T-HIE)

All participants will receive psychoeducation regarding the rationale for using exercise as a strategy to create immediate changes in mood and anxiety. Participants will be instructed in basic motivational principles (e.g., breaking up goals into smaller parts, using rewards) based on information in Exercise for Mood and Anxiety. Participants will begin at low intensity with the goal of titrating to high intensity by 2 weeks prior to the end of trial (Week 6). If a participant achieves at least 70% of the duration goal at the target heart rate, he/she will be titrated to the next dose level (moderate intensity). This will continue until high intensity exercise is achieved. Prescription is based on heart rate reserve((maximum heart rate \[220-age\] - resting heart rate)\*intensity percent - resting heart rate. Intensity percent lower/upper limits for moderate intensity are 40-59% and for high intensity are 60-84%.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Low intensity exercise prescription

All participants will receive psychoeducation regarding the rationale for using exercise as a strategy to create immediate changes in mood and anxiety. Participants will be instructed in basic motivational principles (e.g., breaking up goals into smaller parts, using rewards) based on information in Exercise for Mood and Anxiety. Prescription is based on heart rate reserve ((maximum heart rate \[220-age\] - resting heart rate)\*30-39% (lower/upper limit of zone) - resting heart rate.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Males and females ages 18-65
* Primary psychiatric diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, or panic disorder
* Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 score of ≥23 (i.e., high anxiety sensitivity)
* Currently sedentary (≤60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week for the past 3 months)
* Body mass index \<40
* Able and willing to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Lifetime history of Bipolar I or II or any psychotic disorder
* Bulimia or anorexia in the past 6 months
* Substance use disorder in the past 3 months
* Current PTSD (past PTSD is allowed)
* High current suicide risk (active suicidal ideation with plan and intent) as indicated by a score of ≥4 on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) consistent with a need for referral to higher level of care
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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NYU Langone Health

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Kristin Szuhany, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

NYU Langone Health

Locations

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NYU Langone Health

New York, New York, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

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20-01348

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id