Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Depressive Symptoms in Hong Kong Older Adults
NCT ID: NCT06014294
Last Updated: 2023-09-01
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.
UNKNOWN
NA
144 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2023-03-01
2024-12-31
Brief Summary
Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.
Traditional moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) (e.g., Baduanjin Qigong) has proved to be effective in preventing and alleviating depressive symptoms among older adults. However, older adults with mental illnesses have poorer engagement and compliance with MICT programs. In recent years, as a novel type of exercise, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which includes repeated bouts of high-intensity effort followed by varied recovery times, appears to be a promising approach for overcoming limitations in traditional MICT programs.
Considering there is little evidence of HIIT benefits related to older adults with depression, the current study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 16-week HIIT intervention on depressive symptoms and other health-related outcomes among Hong Kong Chinese older adults.
Related Clinical Trials
Explore similar clinical trials based on study characteristics and research focus.
Different Exercising Intensities and Frequencies of Exercise on Depressive Mood and Insomnia
NCT04354922
Aerobic Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Training
NCT05029388
Effects of Exercise on Depression Symptoms, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Elderly
NCT00931814
Effects of HIIT in Older Adults
NCT07170579
Effects of a Single-bout of Moderate-intensity Aerobic Exercise on Mood and Mental Health Biomarkers in Adults with Depressive And/or Anxiety Symptoms
NCT06736067
Detailed Description
Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.
Conditions
See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.
Study Design
Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.
RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
DOUBLE
Study Groups
Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT)
HIIT program for 16 weeks with a frequency of 2 times per week.
HIIT
Participants will receive a 16-week HIIT program, with 2 sessions per week. Each session will comprise three sections, including warm-up, main exercise and cool down. The time will be between 34 to 40 minutes with progression of training. Each HIIT section will include ten combined exercises with self-weight. For Weeks 1-2, the HIIT section will include 10 intervals of 30 seconds HIIT workout at corresponding intensity, separated by 9 intervals of 60 seconds of active recovery.
Moderate intensity continuous training (MICT)
Baduanjin exercise as MICT will be applied with the same program duration and frequency as the HIIT group. The entire set of Baduanjin Qigong exercises in the current study includes 8 postures.
Baduanjin
As a typical MICT, Baduanjin Qigong will be performed. The instructor will provide group teaching with individual instructions on specific movements. The same training principles of individuality and progression used in the HIIT group will also be applied to Baduanjin Qigong group.
Non-exercise control
Participants will not receive any exercise training, but attending 32 recreation workshops.
Workshop
Participants in the non-exercise control group will receive a series of workshops related to daily recreation.
Interventions
Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.
HIIT
Participants will receive a 16-week HIIT program, with 2 sessions per week. Each session will comprise three sections, including warm-up, main exercise and cool down. The time will be between 34 to 40 minutes with progression of training. Each HIIT section will include ten combined exercises with self-weight. For Weeks 1-2, the HIIT section will include 10 intervals of 30 seconds HIIT workout at corresponding intensity, separated by 9 intervals of 60 seconds of active recovery.
Baduanjin
As a typical MICT, Baduanjin Qigong will be performed. The instructor will provide group teaching with individual instructions on specific movements. The same training principles of individuality and progression used in the HIIT group will also be applied to Baduanjin Qigong group.
Workshop
Participants in the non-exercise control group will receive a series of workshops related to daily recreation.
Eligibility Criteria
Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.
Inclusion Criteria
* Chinese version of Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-C) scoring 5-11 (i.e., mild to moderate level of depressive symptoms)
* Passing the PAR-Q plus screening or with the physician's approval for readiness to participate in high-intensity exercise
* Above the average level of 2-mins stepping showing competent aerobic fitness
* No restriction on physical mobility
* No cognitive impairment, as determined by the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental Status Examination (i.e., score \< 24)
* No previous substantial experiences in practicing HIIT or Baduanjin Qigong. The written informed consent form will be collected from each participant
Exclusion Criteria
* Having cognition impairment regarded by specialists
60 Years
74 Years
ALL
Yes
Sponsors
Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.
Hong Kong Baptist University
OTHER
Responsible Party
Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.
Principal Investigators
Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.
Yanping Duan
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Hong Kong Baptist Univeristy; Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health
Locations
Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.
Bliss District Elderly Community Centre
Hong Kong, , Hong Kong
Countries
Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.
Central Contacts
Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.
References
Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.
Leung GT, de Jong Gierveld J, Lam LC. Validation of the Chinese translation of the 6-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale in elderly Chinese. Int Psychogeriatr. 2008 Dec;20(6):1262-72. doi: 10.1017/S1041610208007552. Epub 2008 Jul 1.
Wei J, Hou R, Zhang X, Xu H, Xie L, Chandrasekar EK, Ying M, Goodman M. The association of late-life depression with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among community-dwelling older adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Psychiatry. 2019 Aug;215(2):449-455. doi: 10.1192/bjp.2019.74. Epub 2019 Apr 10.
Liu F, Cui J, Liu X, Chen KW, Chen X, Li R. The effect of tai chi and Qigong exercise on depression and anxiety of individuals with substance use disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020 May 29;20(1):161. doi: 10.1186/s12906-020-02967-8.
Zou L, Pan Z, Yeung A, Talwar S, Wang C, Liu Y, Shu Y, Chen X, Thomas GA. A Review Study on the Beneficial Effects of Baduanjin. J Altern Complement Med. 2018 Apr;24(4):324-335. doi: 10.1089/acm.2017.0241. Epub 2017 Dec 11.
Martland R, Mondelli V, Gaughran F, Stubbs B. Can high intensity interval training improve health outcomes among people with mental illness? A systematic review and preliminary meta-analysis of intervention studies across a range of mental illnesses. J Affect Disord. 2020 Feb 15;263:629-660. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.039. Epub 2019 Nov 12.
Martland R, Korman N, Firth J, Vancampfort D, Thompson T, Stubbs B. Can high-intensity interval training improve mental health outcomes in the general population and those with physical illnesses? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2022 Mar;56(5):279-291. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-103984. Epub 2021 Sep 16.
Korman N, Armour M, Chapman J, Rosenbaum S, Kisely S, Suetani S, Firth J, Siskind D. High Intensity Interval training (HIIT) for people with severe mental illness: A systematic review & meta-analysis of intervention studies- considering diverse approaches for mental and physical recovery. Psychiatry Res. 2020 Feb;284:112601. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112601. Epub 2019 Nov 28.
Cheng ST, Chan AC. A brief version of the geriatric depression scale for the chinese. Psychol Assess. 2004 Jun;16(2):182-6. doi: 10.1037/1040-3590.16.2.182.
Tsai PS, Wang SY, Wang MY, Su CT, Yang TT, Huang CJ, Fang SC. Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (CPSQI) in primary insomnia and control subjects. Qual Life Res. 2005 Oct;14(8):1943-52. doi: 10.1007/s11136-005-4346-x.
Rikli RE, Jones CJ. Senior fitness test manual. Human kinetics; 2013
Chen HC, Hsu NW, Chou P. Subgrouping Poor Sleep Quality in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Latent Class Analysis - The Yilan Study, Taiwan. Sci Rep. 2020 Mar 25;10(1):5432. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-62374-4.
Leung KF, Tay M, Cheng SS, Lin F. Hong Kong Chinese version World Health Organization quality of life measure-abbreviated version. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Hospital Authority. 1997 Dec.
Chapman, J. J., Coombes, J. S., Brown, W. J., Khan, A., Chamoli, S., Pachana, N. A., & Burton, N. W. (2017). The feasibility and acceptability of high-intensity interval training for adults with mental illness: A pilot study. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 13, 40-48.
Grant A, Treweek S, Dreischulte T, Foy R, Guthrie B. Process evaluations for cluster-randomised trials of complex interventions: a proposed framework for design and reporting. Trials. 2013 Jan 12;14:15. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-14-15.
Duan Y, Wang Y, Liang W, Wong HS, Baker JS, Yang S. Feasibility and effects of high-intensity interval training in older adults with mild to moderate depressive symptoms: A pilot cluster-randomized controlled trial. J Exerc Sci Fit. 2025 Jul;23(3):246-251. doi: 10.1016/j.jesf.2025.05.004. Epub 2025 May 24.
Related Links
Access external resources that provide additional context or updates about the study.
World Health Organization. Depression (2020).
Non-Communicable Diseases Watch. (2012). Depression: Beyond Feeling Blue.
Other Identifiers
Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.
12616922
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
More Related Trials
Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.