High Intensity Training for Patients with Anxiety

NCT06881758 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: 714458
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 26
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim of the current project is to examine the effects of high intensity exercise (by using 1x4 intervals) to reduce symptoms of anxiety in patients in mental health care. The expected benefits for patients are positive health effects, by improving physical fitness and reducing psychological symptom burden. The patients will have the opportunity to learn to use physical activity as a specific measure to be used in their own lives and be a source of coping. Furthermore, knowledge about physical activity and mental health may be applicable in mental health care as a part of a treatment plan.

Conditions

Anxiety; Depression Anxiety Disorder; Blood Pressure Check (Hypertension Screening)

Keywords

physical exercise; mental health; high intensity training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Anxiety

  Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). This a questionnaire generating a scale ranging from 0 to 42 points. Lower scores mean a better outcome.

  HADS will be performed on the first day the patient attends the study and on the very last day the patient attends.

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Systolic and diastolic blood pressure

  We will measure the blood pressure on the first day the patient attends the study and on the very last day the patient attends.

• Beck Depression Inventory

  Beck Depression Inventory will be performed on the first day the patient attends the study and on the very last day the patient attends.

Study Arms (2)

High intensity exercise training

EXPERIMENTAL

High intensity exercise training

Behavioral: Exercise

Low intensity exercise training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Low intensity exercise training

Behavioral: Exercise

Interventions

Exercise BEHAVIORAL

The investigators will investigate the differences between high and low intensity training

High intensity exercise training; Low intensity exercise training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients with mild/moderate anxiety disorders, aged 18-60 years. Anxiety disorders in accordance with F 41 in ICD-10, including generalised anxiety disorder, agoraphobia/panic disorder, social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, hypochondria, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Comorbidity will occur, so the patient may also have depression. However, the main disorder should be anxiety.

You may not qualify if:

• Somatic diseases that may impede training: cardiovascular disease, severe asthma, severe COPD, cancer, poorly regulated diabetes.
• Schizophrenia or bipolar disease
• Suicidality (prior attempts or ongoing risk of suicide)
• Substance addiction

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Hospital of North Norway: lead
• University of Tromso: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University Hospital of North Norway

Tromsø, 9015, Norway

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Bystad M, Rydland S, Bugge C, Hogmo S, Brondbo B, Jacobsen R, Garcia-Fernandez L, Rodriguez-Jimenez R, Romero-Ferreiro V, Wynn R. High-intensity training vs. low-intensity training for patients with anxiety: a randomised controlled trial. Trials. 2026 Jan 27. doi: 10.1186/s13063-026-09472-2. Online ahead of print.

  PMID: 41593737 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Motor Activity; Psychological Well-Being

Interventions

Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Behavior; Personal Satisfaction

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Head of research

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 13, 2024
• First Posted: March 18, 2025
• Study Start: April 15, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Last Updated: March 18, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

NO (1)