Exercise + Self-Compassion Intervention for Depression
Depression
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Depression
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Informed of the nature of the study and have agreed to and are able to read, review, and sign the informed consent form. The informed consent document will be written in English; therefore, the volunteer must have the ability to read and communicate in English.
- Student participants 17 to 30 years of age, inclusive, at the time of screening.
- Available and able to attend 3x group-based exercise training sessions per week.
- Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 score of >5
- Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire score of <14
- Able to engage in physical activity as assessed by the PAR-Q
- For Virtual Intervention Only: access to reliable internet connection and computer with a camera for the purpose of the Zoom Video calls
Exclusion criteria:
- Participant receives pharmacological (i.e. medications listed in list of prohibited medications document) or psychotherapy treatment for depression or anxiety
- Reports of suicide ideation (e.g., PHQ-9 item) and scores on the PHQ-9 >20 demonstrating severe depression
- Failed safety screening for exercise without physician clearance
- Participant initiates pharmacological or psychotherapy treatments for depression while in the study and/or participates in any other research that aims to target depression
Sites / Locations
- Western University
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Experimental
Experimental
Exercise only
Exercise + Self-compassion
Exercise + Behavioural Coaching
Undergraduate peer-facilitators part of a curricular kinesiology program will facilitate a personalized group-based exercise program adapted to the participant's abilities, teach participants how to exercise, and gauge exercise intensity in a safe manner (26). The CANMAT guidelines will be implemented, with the program consisting of supervised group-based moderate-intensity exercise sessions lasting 30-minutes (plus 10-minutes for warm-up and cool-down), 3 times weekly, for a period of 10-weeks. Participants will start exercising at a low intensity and progressively increase until they are consistently exercising at a moderate intensity. As a result of the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, the intervention will be conducted either via a virtual platform or in-person at the Exercise and Health Psychology Lab, depending on the health and safety restrictions applicable to when the student enrolls and begins their program.
Participants will undergo the same exercise program as described in the exercise only treatment arm. Participants will receive equal contact supplemental individual manualized strategies each session (+15-20 minutes) centered on self-compassion strategies (i.e., mindfulness, self-directed kindness meditations, and writing tasks).
Participants will undergo the same exercise program as described in the exercise only treatment arm. Participants will receive equal contact supplemental individual manualized strategies each session (+15-20 minutes) centered on behaviour change strategies (i.e., action planning, implementation intentions, relapse prevention, and goal setting).