Expanding First-line Options for Depression and Matching Treatments to Patients: Hatha Yoga vs. Behavioral Therapy
Depression
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Depression focused on measuring Yoga-based Intervention, Behavioral Activation
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Aged 18 years old or older
- Depressive symptoms at study entry (PHQ-9≥10)
- Provides informed consent
- Able to read and understand English or Spanish.
- Live in NC, MA, MN, or RI
- Has a healthcare provider (a primary care provider, clinic, or mental health care provider) whom the participant could contact if medical care were needed
Exclusion Criteria:
- PHQ-9 > 20
- A bone fracture or joint surgery in the past 6 months
- Unable to walk
- Severe heart failure or lung disease
- Had a healthcare provider tell them it is unsafe to exercise
- Currently pregnant
- Are already engaged in study interventions (i.e., engaged in yoga practice or psychotherapy more than once in the past 4 weeks or has an intake scheduled for psychotherapy in the next 4 weeks).
- Have active suicidal thinking (i.e., PHQ-9 item 9 ≥1 and a positive response to CSSR-S screener items 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6)
- Are currently experiencing manic symptoms (Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale score ≥ 6).
Sites / Locations
- Antonietta Alvarez HernandezRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Yoga-based Intervention
Behavioral Activation
Yoga classes will be gentle and physically accessible for people who are naïve to yoga. Teachers will frequently guide participants to focus on their breathing and coordinate movements with breath. Teachers will offer variations on the postures and encourage participants to choose variations that provide some challenge but do not cause strain or pain. Classes will be 1 hour long and include a brief sitting meditation, warm-ups, standing postures, and a final resting meditation. All participants will be invited to attend a synchronous yoga class via a HIPAA-compliant videoconference option once per week during the first 3 months of the study. Classes will be offered at multiple times throughout the week.
The goal of Behavioral Activation Psychotherapy is to help people identify and (re)engage in meaningful and positive activities through psychoeducation, identification of values and associated activities, goal setting, problem-solving, and monitoring of goal completion. There will be a BA manual for therapists and training provided by study staff on the manual (e.g., asynchronous and synchronous training sessions). BA therapists will be community clinicians. BA will be provided individually via telehealth and will be billed to participant insurance. At the start of BA treatment, participants will be oriented to the time-limited nature of BA, with the expectation that they will attend 8 sessions over the course of 3 months.