Strategies for Responding to Stress

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to examine whether changes in psychological and physiological responses differ based on different strategies for responding to stress.

Detailed Description
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The purpose of this study is to examine whether changes in psychological and physiological responses differ based on different strategies for responding to stress. Different strategies being examined in this study include exercise and arousal reappraisal.

Official Title
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Strategies for Responding to Stress

Conditions
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Stress

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Arousal Reappraisal
* Behavioral: Exercise


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Males and females ages 18 to 35 Speaks English fluently Passes the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire-Plus Mild to Moderate depression symptoms as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (a score ≥14 but ≤25) Exclusion Criteria: Hearing or visually impaired such that it will interfere with ability to participate effectively Currently exercising regularly, defined as exercising at a moderate-intensity more than 2 times a week, for at least 20 minutes each time.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Arousal Reappraisal<br>Brief educational intervention about the stress response and arousal reappraisal | Behavioral: Arousal Reappraisal<br>* Brief readings educating about the stress response and usefulness of arousal reappraisal.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Exercise<br>Three 5-minute bouts of aerobic exercise at increasing intensities | Behavioral: Exercise<br>* Three 5-minute bouts of exercise at increasing intensities (65%, 75%, and 85%) with 5-15 minute breaks in-between for recovery.<br>|
| Experimental: Arousal Reappraisal + Exercise<br>Brief educational intervention about the stress response and arousal reappraisal followed by three 5-minute bouts of aerobic exercise at increasing intensities with practice applying the arousal reappraisal learned earlier. | Behavioral: Arousal Reappraisal<br>* Brief readings educating about the stress response and usefulness of arousal reappraisal.<br>Behavioral: Exercise<br>* Three 5-minute bouts of exercise at increasing intensities (65%, 75%, and 85%) with 5-15 minute breaks in-between for recovery.<br>|
| No Intervention: Control<br>Time-matched rest | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Stress Reappraisal | Self-report ratings of appraisal of a lab based stressor as threatening or challenging. | One day | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Psychological Response to Stress | Self-report ratings of perceived stress, anxiety, and fear in response to a lab based psychosocial stressor. | One day | 
| Physiological Response to Stress | Heart rate in response to a lab based psychosocial stressor as threatening or challenging. | One day |