240 Participants Needed

Exercise Training for Mental Illness

RG
Overseen ByRyan Garten, PhD
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this research study is to examine the effect of various forms of exercise training on blood vessel function in healthy individuals as well as individuals with mental health disorders (posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)).

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are taking medications that affect heart and blood vessel function, you may need to stop them to participate in this trial.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Muscular Fitness Training Group, Strength Training, Resistance Training, Muscle Building Exercises, Muscular Strength Training Group, Resistance Training, Weight Training, Muscle Strengthening Exercise for mental illness?

Research shows that exercise programs, including strength and resistance training, can reduce depression and improve cognitive functions in people with mental illnesses. These programs have been associated with increased fitness, reduced depression scores, and improved quality of life.12345

Is resistance training safe for humans?

Resistance training is generally considered safe for most people when done correctly, as it can improve muscle strength and help prevent chronic diseases. Guidelines suggest that it can be safely performed by healthy individuals of all ages with appropriate exercise programs.678910

How does muscular fitness training differ from other treatments for mental illness?

Muscular fitness training, which includes strength and resistance exercises, is unique because it focuses on improving muscle strength and force-generating capacity, which can enhance functional performance and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. Unlike other treatments that may target symptoms directly, this approach aims to restore physical capabilities and may indirectly improve mental health by increasing patient activation and overall well-being.368911

Research Team

RG

Ryan Garten, PhD

Principal Investigator

Virginia Commonwealth University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for healthy individuals and those with PTSD or GAD who have specific scores on mental health scales. It's not for pregnant women, current/recent smokers, people with limited English proficiency, those on certain cardiovascular meds, drug/alcohol users, or anyone on a significant calorie restriction.

Inclusion Criteria

For the GAD group, your score on the GAD-7 self-report scale should be 10 or higher, and your score on the PCL-5 checklist should be less than 33.
Healthy participants should have low scores on the GAD-7 and PCL-5 questionnaires.
I am healthy with no obvious heart, lung, or metabolic diseases.
See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

Limited English proficiency
You are using illegal drugs or drinking too much alcohol.
I have recently quit smoking.
See 3 more

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Initial Testing

Participants undergo initial testing to familiarize with study equipment and procedures, determine body measures, maximum strength, and require one blood draw

1 day
1 visit (in-person)

Testing Sessions

Participants undergo multiple tests to determine blood vessel health, including antioxidant or placebo administration

2 days
2 visits (in-person)

Exercise Training

Participants engage in 10 weeks of resistance training for muscular fitness or strength

10 weeks
3-5 days per week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in vascular function from baseline to the end of the final visit

2 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Muscular Fitness Training Group
  • Muscular Strength Training Group
Trial Overview The study is testing the effects of two types of exercise training—muscular fitness and strength training—on blood vessel function in both healthy participants and those with PTSD or GAD.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Muscular fitnessExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will complete study 1 (HM20020955-1) and then 10 weeks of resistance training for muscular fitness
Group II: Muscular StrengthExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will complete study 1 (HM20020955-1) and then 10 weeks of resistance training for muscular strength

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Virginia Commonwealth University

Lead Sponsor

Trials
732
Recruited
22,900,000+

Findings from Research

A six-week exercise program for hospitalized psychiatric patients led to significant reductions in reported depression levels, highlighting the efficacy of exercise as a therapeutic intervention in this setting.
While the program did not significantly reduce feelings of anger or fear, it still showed enough potential benefits to recommend its inclusion in regular psychiatric inpatient care.
The value of exercise on a psychiatric hospital unit.Conroy, RW., Smith, K., Felthous, AR.[2019]
Physical exercise has been shown to significantly benefit individuals with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia by improving cognitive functions, global functioning, and alleviating negative symptoms, while also promoting neurogenesis and angiogenesis.
Successful engagement in physical activity programs for those with mental illnesses is enhanced when the programs are enjoyable, promote personal choice, and provide social support, highlighting the need for better integration of mental health services with community exercise resources.
[Schizophrenia spectrum disorders and physical exercise].Makris, K., Kollias, K.[2021]
A 12-week program of maximal strength training significantly improved lower extremity force-generating capacity in patients with schizophrenia, bringing their performance levels in leg press strength and rapid force development in line with healthy individuals.
The training also enhanced functional performance, as evidenced by improvements in the 30-second sit-to-stand test, indicating that strength training can positively impact both physical capabilities and quality of life for these patients.
Strength training restores force-generating capacity in patients with schizophrenia.Nygård, M., Brobakken, MF., Taylor, JL., et al.[2021]

References

The value of exercise on a psychiatric hospital unit. [2019]
[Schizophrenia spectrum disorders and physical exercise]. [2021]
Strength training restores force-generating capacity in patients with schizophrenia. [2021]
[Physical training as a therapeutic method in depression]. [2008]
Physical fitness program for patients with psychiatric disorders. A clinical report. [2019]
Effects of Aerobic, Resistance, and Combined Exercise Training on Psychiatric Symptom Severity and Related Health Measures in Adults Living With Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. [2022]
Effect of Online Home-Based Resistance Exercise Training on Physical Fitness, Depression, Stress, and Well-Being in Middle-Aged Persons: A Pilot Study. [2023]
Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Metabolic Syndrome, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, and Symptoms in Schizophrenia Include Decreased Mortality. [2020]
A small group aerobic exercise programme that reduces body weight is feasible in adults with severe chronic schizophrenia: a pilot study. [2011]
Prescription of resistance training for healthy populations. [2018]
Twelve-Weeks of Bench-Step Exercise Training Ameliorates Cardiopulmonary Fitness and Mood State in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study. [2021]