Alternative Therapies for Anxiety and Depression in College Students

Overseen By Natalie Lecy, Phd

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of South Dakota

Disqualifiers: Not in college, No travel, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

51 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this randomized control group is to learn about effective treatments for college students experiencing anxiety and/or depression. The main questions this clinical trial aims to answer are: 1) Can alternative treatments decrease anxiety and/or depression among college students? 2) Can alternative treatments increase retention rates among college students experiencing anxiety and/or depression? Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups: external qigong, mindfulness meditation, or psychoeducation. Researchers will compare outcomes from each group to explore treatment differences.

Research Team

Natalie Lecy, PhD

Principal Investigator

Assistant Professor

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for college students over 18 who are experiencing anxiety or depression. They must be enrolled in college, speak English, willing to travel to the study site, and have internet access. Participants need a score of at least three on specific anxiety and depression questionnaires.

Inclusion Criteria

Score of a three or higher on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item and/or score of a three or higher on the Patient Health Questionnaire-2

Currently enrolled in a two or four-year college

I speak English.

Exclusion Criteria

I cannot travel to the study location.

I do not have a computer or smartphone with Wifi.

Not currently enrolled in college

Treatment Details

Interventions

• External Qigong
• Mindfulness Meditation
• Psychoeducation

Trial Overview The study tests the effectiveness of external qigong, mindfulness meditation, and psychoeducation as treatments for anxiety and depression in college students. It's a randomized control trial where participants are assigned to one of these interventions by chance.

Participant Groups

Group I: Mindfulness Meditation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will meet individually with the mindfulness practitioner once a week for three weeks for 30-minute segments.

Group II: External Qigong Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will meet individually with the Qigong practitioner once a week for three weeks for 30-minute segments.

Group III: Psychoeducation Active Control 1 Intervention

In the psychoeducation arm, participants will receive recordings online, once a week for three weeks which will be approximately 30 minutes in length.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of South Dakota

Lead Sponsor

Trials

16

Recruited

2,000+

Subtle Energy Funders Collective

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

50+