tDCS for Increasing Exercise Adherence in Depressed Individuals
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Depression |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 65 |
| Updated: | 2/17/2019 |
| Start Date: | February 1, 2017 |
| End Date: | December 31, 2019 |
| Contact: | Ana M Abrantes, Ph.D. |
| Email: | ana_abrantes@brown.edu |
| Phone: | 401-455-6440 |
tDCS for Increasing Exercise Adherence in Individuals With Elevated Depressive Symptoms
The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of tDCS (transcranial direct current
stimulation) for increasing exercise adherence among low active individuals with elevated
depressive symptoms. The investigators expect that this project will contribute much needed
knowledge about the role that tDCS can play in changing the affective experience of exercise.
stimulation) for increasing exercise adherence among low active individuals with elevated
depressive symptoms. The investigators expect that this project will contribute much needed
knowledge about the role that tDCS can play in changing the affective experience of exercise.
Exercise adherence is a significant public health problem. Affective experiences during
exercise predict long-term physical activity (PA) levels. Therefore, approaches to improving
the affective experience of exercise are both important and likely to have high impact. This
may be particularly true among individuals with elevated depressive symptoms due to their
tendency toward more negative and less positive affect. tDCS is a noninvasive brain
stimulation approach with a growing body of literature supporting its effects on cognitive
and emotional processing in varied populations, including some support for those with
depression. In addition, there is recent increased interest in utilizing tDCS in the context
of exercise (see above) and in obesity prevention. While the effects of tDCS on behavioral
and cognitive functioning are still developing, promising findings have emerged for tDCS used
in repeated combination with a behavioral or cognitive intervention. Given that tDCS is
relatively safe, inexpensive, and portable, individuals who struggle with enjoying exercise
could be afforded a practical option for increasing and maintaining physical activity levels.
We propose to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial of tDCS versus sham delivered
3x/week for 8 weeks in the context of a supervised aerobic exercise (AE) program among 72
low-active individuals with elevated depressive symptoms. Follow-up assessments will be
conducted at end of treatment, 3, and 6 months.
exercise predict long-term physical activity (PA) levels. Therefore, approaches to improving
the affective experience of exercise are both important and likely to have high impact. This
may be particularly true among individuals with elevated depressive symptoms due to their
tendency toward more negative and less positive affect. tDCS is a noninvasive brain
stimulation approach with a growing body of literature supporting its effects on cognitive
and emotional processing in varied populations, including some support for those with
depression. In addition, there is recent increased interest in utilizing tDCS in the context
of exercise (see above) and in obesity prevention. While the effects of tDCS on behavioral
and cognitive functioning are still developing, promising findings have emerged for tDCS used
in repeated combination with a behavioral or cognitive intervention. Given that tDCS is
relatively safe, inexpensive, and portable, individuals who struggle with enjoying exercise
could be afforded a practical option for increasing and maintaining physical activity levels.
We propose to conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial of tDCS versus sham delivered
3x/week for 8 weeks in the context of a supervised aerobic exercise (AE) program among 72
low-active individuals with elevated depressive symptoms. Follow-up assessments will be
conducted at end of treatment, 3, and 6 months.
Inclusion Criteria:
- be between 18 and 65 years of age
- be low active
- have elevated levels of depressive symptoms
- interested in starting an exercise program in the next month
Exclusion Criteria:
- history of mania or hypomania
- current psychotic disorder
- current DSM-5 diagnosis of an eating disorder
- DSM-5 moderate and severe substance use disorder
- current suicidality or homicidality
- current DSM-5 diagnosis of major depressive disorder that is not currently being
treated with pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy
- physical disabilities or medical problems that would prevent participation in moderate
intensity exercise or may be contraindicated for tDCS
- current pregnancy or intent to become pregnant during the next 8 weeks
- pacemaker or metal implanted in the cranial cavity
We found this trial at
1
site
345 Blackstone Blvd
Providence, Rhode Island 02906
Providence, Rhode Island 02906
(401) 455-6200
Phone: 401-455-6440
Butler Hospital Founded in 1844, Butler Hospital is the state's only non-profit, free-standing psychiatric hospital...
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