Behavioral Activation Teletherapy to Increase Physical Activity

NCT ID: NCT04990401

Last Updated: 2025-12-23

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

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

65 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-08-31

Study Completion Date

2025-05-31

Brief Summary

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This is a pilot study of acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of a brief, 10-session Behavioral Activation intervention delivered via teletherapy to increase physical activity and treat depressive symptoms.

Detailed Description

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This is a one-site, two-phase study that will use an initial group of individuals between the ages of 18 and 64 who have moderate to severe depressive symptoms and exercise less than 90 minutes a week. In both phases, participants will complete a total of 8 behavioral activation teletherapy sessions used to increase physical activity, followed by two biweekly booster sessions, for a total of 10 sessions. Participants will also complete weekly assessments remotely for both phases of the study. The screening visit and final intervention session will be in-person, and all other visits will be via telehealth. Participants will have the option to come to the clinic if they prefer.

In the initial phase (n = 15), participants who completed the intervention will have the option to participate in a focus group, and participants who partially completed the intervention will have the option to participate in a semi-structured interview. The total duration of phase one is 14 weeks. This initial phase will allow the researchers to refine and optimize the intervention to be delivered in the second phase.

In the second/pilot phase (n = 50), participants will complete a one-month and a two-month follow-up after the 10 intervention sessions. The total duration for phase two is 22 weeks.

Participants for both phases of the study will wear a Fitbit during the duration of their study participation, in order to record step count.

Conditions

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Depression Depressive Disorder Depressive Symptoms Depressive Episode

Keywords

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Therapy Teletherapy Physical Activity Exercise

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NA

Intervention Model

SINGLE_GROUP

All eligible participants will receive the behavioral activation teletherapy intervention in this single-arm study.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Behavioral Activation Teletherapy

All eligible participants will be assigned to receive the behavioral activation teletherapy intervention.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral Activation Teletherapy

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

A total of 10 teletherapy sessions to be delivered over 12-14 weeks, designed to increase physical activity among depressed individuals.

Interventions

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Behavioral Activation Teletherapy

A total of 10 teletherapy sessions to be delivered over 12-14 weeks, designed to increase physical activity among depressed individuals.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Be18-64 years old;
* Able and willing to provide informed consent;
* Have moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms, with a PHQ-9 score ≥ 10;
* Insufficient moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (\< 90 minutes a week);
* Demonstrated interest in increasing physical activity;
* Have a smartphone.

Exclusion Criteria

* Have any current, past, or lifetime manic or hypomanic episode, psychosis, schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder;
* Be currently experiencing active suicidal ideation (i.e. with suicidal thoughts, plan, and intent) or at a high risk for suicide during the course of the study, as designated by the PI;
* Have a medical condition that prohibits physical activity; be medically prohibited to exercise by primary care physician (PCP), OB-GYN (obstetrician-gynecologist) or study MD.
* Be in current, active psychotherapy
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

64 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Madhukar H. Trivedi, MD

Professor of Medicine

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Chad Rethorst, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Madhukar Trivedi, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Locations

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University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Dallas, Texas, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Rethorst CD, Trombello JM, Chen PM, Carmody TJ, Goodman LC, Lazalde A, Trivedi MH. Pilot evaluation on an adapted tele-behavioral activation to increase physical activity in persons with depression: a single-arm pilot study. BMC Psychol. 2024 Nov 9;12(1):643. doi: 10.1186/s40359-024-02053-5.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 39522018 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Informed Consent Form: English Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

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1R34MH122640-01A1

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

STU-2021-0441

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id