Together with teenagers, we have developed a new approach: BRIDGES, which stands for "In Brussels, Resilience and Inclusion for Depression through Guidance, Exercise, and Support." BRIDGES aims to help young people with depression get moving again in their daily lives, at their own pace and in ways that are good for them.
Even though physical activity is recognized for its mental and physical health benefits, we find that adolescents going through a difficult psychological period often engage in very little of it. Current physical activity offerings do not always take into account their specific needs, preferences, or daily realities. That is why we have co-created a new approach with adolescents: BRIDGES, which stands for "In Brussels, Resilience and Inclusion for Depression through Guidance, Exercise, and Support." This project includes 18 30-minute sessions over 3 months with a physical therapist specializing in mental health, including individual follow-ups with advice and discussions, as well as putting you in touch with sports clubs or associations of your choice. The goal is to help you get moving again in your daily life, at your own pace and in a way that makes you feel good. This study has a waiting list control group, so young people can either participate immediately or wait 6 months to participate.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
60
AREA+, Epsylon
Brussels, Uccle, Belgium
Depressive symptoms
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 modified for Adolescents (PHQ-A) The PHQ-A is a brief instrument modified to adolescents used to assess the severity of depression (41). It contains 9 items that are on a scale from 0 to 3, with the total score ranging from 0 to 27.
Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 15 months
Physical activity levels
Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) The PAVS is a screening tool used to assess patients' physical activity levels (37). It consists of two questions: (a) on average, how many days per week do you engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity, and (b) on those days, how many minutes do you typically spend participating in moderate to vigorous physical activity? The product of these responses (days × minutes) provides an estimate of the patient's average weekly minutes of physical activity in moderate to vigorous physical activity.
Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 15 months
Depressive symptoms (larger evaluation)
Beck Depression Index (BDI II) The BDI-II captures specific behavioral manifestations of depression. It is a 21-item self-report inventory, with each item scored from 0 to 3 based on four statements reflecting symptom severity, yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 63.
Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 15 months
Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)
The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) is a widely used self-report instrument designed to assess an individual's perception of social support from different sources (49). The scale comprises 12 items, each rated on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from a score of 7 to 84.
Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 15 months
Adapted Exercise self-efficacy (SEE)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Exercise self-efficacy (SEE) is a key determinant of intention formation and engagement in physical activity. In the original SEE, respondents rate their confidence in exercising three times per week for 20 minutes. For the present study, the scale was adapted so that the target behavior reflects an individualized exercise goal defined by each adolescent, that is, the type of physical activity they wish to perform.
Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 15 months
Astrand Rhyming test (ART)
Astrand Rhyming test (ART) ART is a single-stage cycle ergometer test, to measure the CRF fitness levels (assessed as an estimation of VO2 max)
Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 15 months
Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)
Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) WHtR is calculated as waist circumference (cm) divided by height (cm). Waist circumference will be measured in standing position, midway between the lowest border of the rib cage and the superior border of the iliac crest, at the end of a normal expiration.
Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 15 months
Motivational interviewing fidelity
Fidelity to motivational interviewing (MI) will be assessed using a combination of observer- and participant-reported measures. First, adherence to MI principles will be evaluated using the Independent Tape Rater Scale (ITRS), which is recommended for effectiveness studies
Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 15 months
Client Perception of Motivational Interviewing
the Client Perception of Motivational Interviewing (CPMI) scale captures participants' experiences of MI-consistent communication during sessions. This combined approach enables assessment of both the technical and relational components of MI fidelity while remaining feasible within the constraints of a pilot implementation study.
Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 15 months
The Health Care Climate Questionnaire
Adolescents will complete the Health Care Climate Questionnaire (HCCQ) (61) to evaluate perceived autonomy support provided by the physiotherapist. In addition, brief post-session feedback forms will invite participants to rate the extent to which they felt understood, empowered, and supported in setting their own goals-key indicators of SDT-congruent delivery.
Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 15 months
Logbook
the physiotherapist will fill out a logbook with their participation describing their presence, the context, the mechanisms at work, and clinical observations on the adolescents and their participation in physical activities
Time frame: Throughout the entire study, during approximately 15 months