Digital Physical Activity for Depression

(DPA Trial)

Overseen By Christopher J Brush, Ph.D.

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Auburn University

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Visual impairment, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 4 weeks

50 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a digital program can boost physical activity and ease depression symptoms in adults with moderate depression. Participants will use a mobile app to receive daily prompts encouraging physical activity of their choice. The trial compares those who use the app to a group that only has their mental health monitored. Ideal participants have moderate depressive symptoms, exercise less than 150 minutes a week, and own a smartphone to use the app.

As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance mental health treatment options.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this digitally-delivered intervention is safe for adults with depressive symptoms?

Research has shown that digital physical activity programs are generally safe and easy to use. Studies have found that these programs rarely cause harm, and participants find them easy to adhere to, indicating safety.

In one study, most participants remained with the program, suggesting they encountered no major issues. Another study found no significant differences in health problems between those who exercised digitally and those who did not.

In summary, digital physical activity programs have been tested and demonstrate a good safety record. Participants typically do not report major side effects, making these programs a promising option for improving mental health through increased physical activity. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Digital Physical Activity treatment for depression because it offers a unique, user-driven approach to mental health. Unlike traditional antidepressants or talk therapy, this intervention leverages a mobile app to encourage personalized physical activity, which has been shown to boost mood. Participants choose enjoyable activities and receive daily reminders, making it a flexible and engaging experience. This method not only empowers individuals but also harnesses the mood-enhancing benefits of exercise in a novel, technology-driven way.

What evidence suggests that this digital intervention is effective for depression?

Research has shown that digital programs promoting physical activity can help improve depression symptoms. One study found that exercise, such as walking and strength training, effectively treats depression. In this trial, participants in the Digital Intervention Group will use a mobile application to receive personalized activity suggestions. This approach aligns with findings that digital programs customizing activities to fit personal preferences positively affect depression, anxiety, and overall quality of life. These programs encourage regular exercise, which lifts mood and reduces depression. Overall, early evidence suggests that digital physical activity programs can help people feel better by encouraging enjoyable movement. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 19-40 with moderate to severe depression who speak English, own a smartphone, and are physically inactive but able to exercise. Pregnant individuals or those with uncorrected vision/hearing issues cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Verbally fluent in English (i.e., must be able to speak or understand English)

Moderate depressive symptoms or greater of at least 10 or higher on the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 screening instrument

I own a smartphone and agree to download and use an app for the study.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants will not qualify for the current study if they do not meet the above inclusion criteria.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Pre-intervention Monitoring

Participants' physical activity is monitored for one week before group assignment

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive a four-week digital intervention prompting physical activity or are monitored as a passive control group

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

Post-intervention Monitoring

Participants' physical activity is monitored for one week after the intervention

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in depressive symptoms and physical activity levels

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Digital Physical Activity

Trial Overview The study tests if a digital intervention can reduce depression symptoms and boost physical activity over four weeks. Participants will either receive the digital prompts for exercise or be in a control group that's monitored without intervention.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Digital Intervention Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants allocated to this group will be instructed to download a Pathverse mobile application on their Apple or Android smartphone device. The Pathverse mobile application will be used to send participants daily push notifications to engage in physical activity of their choice. During on-boarding at pre-intervention, each participant will choose approximately five types of physical activity they find enjoyable that they would like to engage in throughout the four-week intervention. They will report on the physical activity they completed, along with the duration and intensity of each activity. Participants will have the choice of when they would like to receive their daily notifications on their smartphone device.

Group II: Passive Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants will be informed that their mental health will be monitored over four weeks as a control condition. After the study, they will be offered the digital PA intervention, if desired.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Auburn University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

81

Recruited

14,600+

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40112295/

Effectiveness of Digital Lifestyle Interventions on ... The primary aim of this review was to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of digital lifestyle interventions for improving symptoms of depression, ...

2. bmj.com bmj.com/content/384/bmj-2023-075847

Effect of exercise for depression: systematic review and ... Exercise is an effective treatment for depression, with walking or jogging, yoga, and strength training more effective than other exercises, particularly when ...

3. jmir.org jmir.org/2025/1/e56975

Effectiveness of Digital Lifestyle Interventions on ... The primary aim of this review was to comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of digital lifestyle interventions for improving symptoms of depression, ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1755296622000394

Impact of a web-based personally tailored physical activity ... This study examined the impact of a web-based personally tailored physical activity intervention on depression, anxiety, stress and quality of life.

5. jamda.com jamda.com/article/S1525-8610(25)00100-8/fulltext

A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis To compare and rank the effectiveness of exercise-based interventions for improving depressive symptoms in older adults.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12305426/

Physical activity interventions delivered through digital health ... The attrition rate was 16.8% and 12.4% for the control and intervention groups, with only 2 studies providing details on adherence. Conclusions. Physical ...

7. bjsm.bmj.com bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/18/1203

Effectiveness of physical activity interventions for improving ... Objective To synthesise the evidence on the effects of physical activity on symptoms of depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adult populations.

8. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07130734

NCT07130734 | Digital Intervention for Physical Activity Does a digitally-delivered intervention reduce symptoms of depression? Researchers will compare an intervention promoting physical activity to a passive control ...

9. mhealth.jmir.org mhealth.jmir.org/2024/1/e55578

Effectiveness of Mobile-Based Progressive and Fixed Physical ... We hypothesized that both progressive and fixed PA interventions could lead to improvements in mental health indicators such as depression, ...

10. bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-024-20088-6

Effect of a smartphone-based physical intervention on ... The results revealed no differences in the reduction in depression scores between the exercise group and the control group. However, this study ...