A Study of Aerobic Exercise for Adolescents With Subthreshold Mood Syndromes

Guangzhou Psychiatric Hospital224 enrolled

Overview

This study will investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on mental states, cognition, and long-term outcomes in adolescents with subthreshold depressive and/or hypomanic syndromes and in non-clinical school children

Subthreshold depressive and hypomanic symptoms are common in adolescents, increasing the risk of developping into depression or bipolar disorder. Preliminary evidence shows that aerobic exercise might have positive effects in enhancing cognition and improving clinical symptoms in non-clinical and preclinical population and patients with mood disorders. This randomized controlled trial will investigate short-term (3 months) effects of aerobic exercise on cognition and clinical symptoms as well as the long-term (18 months) effects on the clinical outcomes of high-risk states.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

224

Conditions

Depressive Symptoms Hypomania Nos Single Episode or Unspecified

Interventions

aerobic exerciseBEHAVIORAL

Running at the intensity of 50%-70% of maximum heart rate (220-age) for 30 mins per day, 4 days per week, last for 3 months

Placebo controlled groupBEHAVIORAL

6 sections of group activities: 3 sections of general psychological education; one section of group game, one section of group poetry reading activity, group singing entertainment.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 12 YearsMax age: 14 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. 2 or more DSM-IV defined depressive symptoms, with one as core symptoms ( lost interest or pleasure in activity or depressed mood), lasting for 1 week. 2. 2 or more DSM-IV defined manic symptoms, last for 4 days, but falling short of the criteria for hypomania; or meeting DSM-5 defined symptoms criteria for hypomania, lasting 2-3 days. 3. non-clinical subjects Exclusion Criteria: * DSM-IV defined major depressive disorder * DSM-IV defined hypo/mania * History of or current other Axis I Disorders * Diagnosed neurological or musculoskeletal disorder/injury, * Uncontrolled cardiovascular or metabolic diseases that are not suitable for running * Diagnosed hypertension * Other diagnosed serious medical conditions that are not suitable for cycling * Severe suicidal ideation * Mental retardation * Currently participating in a exercise program or activity, defined as 30 minutes of vigorous physical activity 4-5 times per week

Locations (1)

Guangzhou Brain Hospital

Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Changes in depressive symptoms

Changes in depressive symptoms measured by Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

Time frame: 12 weeks

Changes in neurocognitive function

Changes in neurocognitive function measured by the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) after three months (12 weeks) of aerobic exercise

Time frame: 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

changes in anxious symptoms

anxious symptoms measured by Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90)

Time frame: 12 weeks

Changes in brain connectivity

using fMRI to measure brain connectivity

Time frame: 12 weeks

Number of participants with subthreshold mood symptoms

number of participants who meet the subthreshold syndromes for depression and/or hypomania

Time frame: 18 months

Changes in hypomanic symptoms

changes in hypomanic symptoms measured by Hypomania Check List-15(HCL-15)

Time frame: 12 weeks

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.