High Intensity Training for Patients with Anxiety

NCT06881758 — Not applicable, Enrolling by invitation, 26 participants, University Hospital of North Norway

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RegistryNCT06881758
StatusEnrolling by invitation
PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional; randomized, parallel, masking: none, treatment
Enrollment26 (Estimated)
SponsorUniversity Hospital of North Norway (Other); collaborators: University of Tromso
ConditionsAnxiety, Depression Anxiety Disorder, Blood Pressure Check (Hypertension Screening)
InterventionsExercise (Behavioral)
Datesstart 2025-04-15 (estimated), primary completion 2027-05-31 (estimated), completion 2027-12-31 (estimated), first posted 2025-03-18, last updated 2025-03-18
Locations1 site in Norway

Related Papers Related Patents Related Grants Related Experts
All trials for Anxiety All trials for Depression Anxiety Disorder All trials of Exercise

-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.

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+Detailed description

The study is a randomised controlled trial ("RCT") design with a 1:1 allocation into two groups. The two groups are high intensity exercise (1x4 minutes performed two times per week with a heart rate above 85% of maximal heart rate) and low intensity exercise (45 minutes performed two times per week with a heart rate of approximately 60% of maximal heart rate). The total amount of training sessions for both groups will be eight. The high intensity exercise group will serve as the intervention group, while the low intensity exercise group will serve as an active control group.

The patients will be randomly allocated (randomised) to these groups. An exercise physiologist (holding a master's degree in exercise physiology) will supervise the training sessions. The training sessions will take place in a dedicated room using a treadmill and a heart rate monitor. The training sessions will be individual.

The primary outcome measure will be degree of anxiety symptoms measured by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Beck Naxiety Inventory (BAI) prior to the first (pre) and after the last (post) training session is completed. Secondary outcome measures will be compliance, i.e. to what degree the patient is able to sustain the exercise regimen three months after participating in the project, in addition to the patient's blood pressure.

+Arms and interventions

ArmTypeInterventionsDescription
High intensity exercise trainingExperimentalBehavioral: ExerciseHigh intensity exercise training
Low intensity exercise trainingActive comparatorBehavioral: ExerciseLow intensity exercise training
  • Exercise (Behavioral): The investigators will investigate the differences between high and low intensity training

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

  • Anxiety [HADS will be performed on the first day the patient attends the study and on the very last day the patient attends.]: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). This a questionnaire generating a scale ranging from 0 to 42 points. Lower scores mean a better outcome.

Secondary outcomes

  • 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.]: Blood pressure
  • 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.]: Beck Depression Inventory is a questionnaire for detecting depressive symptoms. This questionnaire range from 0 to 63. Lower scores mean a better outcome.

+Eligibility

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to 65 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* 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.

Exclusion Criteria:

* 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

+Locations (1)

FacilityCityCountryStatus
University Hospital of North NorwayTromsøNorway

+Publications

  • Results publication: 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;27(1):153. doi: 10.1186/s13063-026-09472-2. PMID 41593737