Evaluation of a Group Therapeutic Exercise Program
Condition: Depression; Anxiety Disorders; Primary Insomnia; ADHD
MeSH terms: Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; Anxiety Disorders
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Moderate to vigorous physical activity can reduce symptoms of mental disorders like major
      depression, anxiety disorders, insomnia, and ADHD. However, in Germany there are no group
      therapeutical exercise programs for psychotherapy patients in an outpatient context. The
      current study aims to examine the effectiveness of a manualized exercise program, named
      ImPuls, which consists of a supervised and non-supervised endurance training in moderate to
      vigorous intensity and behaviour change techniques.
    

Detailed description: 
      The current study aims to examine the efficacy (i.e., symptom reduction, increase of heart
      rate variability, improvement of sleep quality, increase of intrinsic motivation to engage in
      physical activity, increase of the level of physical activity) of a three-months manualized
      group exercise program, named ImPuls. The program contains supervised and non-supervised
      endurance training combined with behaviour change techniques. The manual was designed for
      patients with major depression, anxiety disorders, insomnia, and ADHD who are waiting for
      psychotherapeutic treatment. It is assumed that the program will improve the
      psychopathological symptoms of the different mental disorders. Heart rate variability, level
      of exercise, sleep quality, motivation and symptoms are measured by objective measures
      (physiological measurements, accelerometers) and subjective measures (structured interviews
      and questionnaires). In a randomized controlled trial, ImPuls will be evaluated (n = 38
      intervention group vs. n = 37 control group). For four weeks, small group sessions of three
      to four people take place three times a week, combining endurance exercise (i.e., running)
      and behaviour change techniques, supervised by two therapists. The training is based on the
      actual evidence for effective therapeutic effects on psychopathological symptoms,
      individually adapted to each patient's fitness level (60-80% of the maximal heart rate) and
      lasts 30 minutes. In the following eight weeks, participants are encouraged to engage in
      physical activity independently for two to three times a week. It is assumed that the program
      will reduce symptoms of the different mental disorders as well as increase the heart rate
      variability, improve sleep quality, intrinsic motivation to engage in physical activity, and
      the engagement in physical activity. Safety will be monitored throughout the study.
    

Intervention name(s): ImPuls
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Participants receive an supervised exercise intervention and behaviour change techniques for 4 weeks and, after that, they are encouraged to engage in physical activity for 8 weeks independently. During this 8-week individual phase, patients have weekly phone contacts with a psychotherapist
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Behaviour change techniques; Aerobic exercise; Mental disorders