Clinical Research Directory

Exer-WAPA Project: Physical Exercise on Women's Affective and Physical HeAlth

The Physical Exercise on Women's Affective and Physical HeAlth (Exer-WAPA) project is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to evaluate the effects of a supervised, group-based exercise program incorporating music-synchronized movement on the emotional and physical health of physically inactive, middle-aged women (35-60 years) experiencing psychological distress. The primary outcome will be emotional well-being, assessed at baseline and post-intervention using the Spanish version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Secondary outcomes are grouped into five dimensions: (1) mental health, (2) physical health, (3) lifestyle, (4) gender-related outcomes, and (5) socioeconomic impact. Mental health outcomes include risk of poor mental health (GHQ-12), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), global life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale, SWLS), anxiety symptoms (Beck Anxiety Inventory, BAI), depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II, BDI-II), and general cognitive status (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA). Physical health outcomes include health-related body composition (bioimpedance) and anthropometric indicators, health-related physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, flexibility, and agility), cardiometabolic risk (blood pressure), autonomic cardiovascular function (heart rate variability), static posture (OSPAT). Lifestyle outcomes include physical activity and sedentary behaviour (Axivity accelerometers and IPAQ), sleep quality (Axivity accelerometers and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), commuting behaviour, dietary habits (Mediterranean Diet Adherence Questionnaire, PREDIMED), health-related quality of life (SF-36), and tobacco and alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C). Gender-related outcomes include gender norms, caregiving responsibilities, reproductive health, social support (GVHR questionnaire), and menopause-related quality of life (MENQOL). The socioeconomic impact of the intervention will be evaluated through a cost-effectiveness analysis. A total of 100 participants will be recruited and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (GEx), receiving a 12-week supervised exercise intervention, or a waitlist control group (GC). The intervention follows World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for physical activity (three sessions per week, 60 minutes per session; 180 minutes per week), with exercise intensity prescribed using heart rate reserve (50-85% HRR). Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and three months after the intervention, following a 2 × 3 study design. In addition, adherence and compliance outcomes related to the exercise intervention will also be assessed, including attendance and punctuality at sessions, additional physical activity outside the training sessions, mood before and after each exercise session (Feeling Scale), perceived exhaustion prior to the start of each session (item 8 of the HPHEE Scale), adverse events, and subjective session effort (Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion, RPE 0-10). Additionally, immediately after the completion of the intervention, experimental group participants will complete an exercise enjoyment questionnaire. Furthermore, a focus group will be conducted with a subsample of participants from the experimental group to explore their experiences with the intervention program.

Mirror Journaling App Study

This study has three primary aims: 1) Validate Mirror's Mood Check feature by measuring convergent validity;2) Assess user experience and acceptability metrics (e.g., usability, engagement, satisfaction) of the Mirror app, with a particular focus on the journaling feature; 3) Assess the impact of guided journaling and mood tracking on depressive and anxious symptoms.

MISAPSY: Childhood Maltreatment, Food Insecurity, Psychological Distress and Professional Integration Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Young Adults

The MISAPSY study (Childhood Maltreatment, Food Insecurity, Psychological Distress and Professional Integration Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Young Adults) aims to model the complex interrelations between child maltreatment, trauma exposure, food insecurity, and psychological distress among precarious young adults enrolled in French youth employment and social integration services (Mission Locale). Adopting a methodology structured around three complementary components, this study consists of: (1) a cross-sectional survey to identify key associations ; (2) a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews exploring psychologists' subjective experiences, and (3) a longitudinal comparative interventional study involving two different support programs to assess and compare the impact of these interventions on participants' food insecurity and psychological well-being. Using a multi-phase design, MISAPSY seeks to move beyond linear risk-factor models by adopting a systemic and network-based approach to mental health and social vulnerability. The study integrates quantitative analyses, including network analyses, qualitative exploration of professional practices, and comparative longitudinal intervention to inform more holistic, equitable, and transferable models of care for vulnerable young adults.

Examining the Health Effects of NPOWER365 Among Black Same Gender Loving Men

This research study aims to test the effectiveness, reach, and maintenance over time of the NPOWER365 HIV care intervention for Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) living with HIV. NPOWER365 is a BMSM community-developed multicomponent intervention that aims to: 1) Support daily health promotion via HIV health education and health maintenance reminders; 2) Foster positive social connections among BMSM via online moderated forums, interpersonal chats, and community calendars; 3) Connect clients to BMSM-affirming healthcare, including HIV treatment and mental healthcare; 4) Provide resources for housing, transportation, and other economic empowerment.

Clinician Supported Mobile App to Reduce Mental Health Symptoms Among World Trade Center Responders in Florida

This study examines mental health challenges among World Trade Center (WTC) General Responders, who continue to experience significant psychological trauma from the WTC collapse. PTSD and depression remain common, and nearly six percent of the WTC Health Program (WTCHP) cohort now resides in Florida. Many identify as Hispanic, underscoring the need for linguistically appropriate services. Research shows that remotely delivered, clinician-supported mobile applications can reduce mental health symptoms. PTSD Coach, developed by the Veterans Administration, is a free self-managed mobile app designed to help users manage PTSD symptoms through tools such as relaxation exercises, calming self-talk, and sleep hygiene practices. Reviews of the app have found it feasible, acceptable, and effective in reducing PTSD symptoms. Clinician-Supported PTSD Coach was designed for individuals unlikely to use the app independently. This model pairs the PTSD Coach app with four remote 20-30-minute clinician sessions over eight weeks. Studies with Veterans demonstrate reductions in PTSD and depression, higher satisfaction, and increased treatment engagement compared with usual care. However, these interventions have not yet been tested with WTC General Responders or Hispanic populations. This study will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of Clinician-Supported PTSD Coach in reducing PTSD, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbances among English- and Spanish-speaking WTC General Responders in Florida. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) Clinician-Supported PTSD Coach, (2) Self-Managed PTSD Coach, or (3) Waitlist Control. Assessments at 8 and 12 weeks will measure symptom reductions and examine engagement, satisfaction, and barriers within the app-based conditions. It is expected that both interventions will reduce symptoms, with greater improvements in the clinician-supported condition. This project addresses a critical gap in evidence-based mental health treatments for dispersed WTC Responders and responds to the WTCHP Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee's call for more research on mental health interventions. By focusing on Hispanic and Spanish-speaking Responders-an understudied group-this study may support the development of scalable, app-based interventions that can be deployed nationally to meet the mental health needs of WTC responders and survivors.

Occupational Therapy for Mental Health and Engagement in Neurorehabilitation

Changes in mental health are common after acquired brain injury (ABI), defined as any traumatic or non-traumatic injury to the brain after birth, affecting approximately 1 in 3 adults with ABI. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are uniquely qualified to contribute to addressing how mental and physical health influence engagement in activities of daily living, yet many OT practitioners working in neurorehabilitation do not implement recommended evidence-based mental health screening or intervention. This study aims to test a comprehensive implementation program for integrating evidence-based mental healthcare into OT rehabilitation services for people with ABI. The study will be conducted with OT practitioners working in home and community neurorehabilitation settings. The focus of the study is to better understand strategies to help OT practitioners adopt and implement evidence-based mental healthcare into routine practice. By doing so, the study aims to improve neurorehabilitation care delivery and promote positive mental health and community engagement among people with ABI.

TOUCHminds: Help-seeking in Adolescents With Anxiety

Adolescents frequently experience clinical and subclinical anxiety symptoms, yet many avoid seeking professional help. While universal interventions exist to promote help-seeking, targeted programs for adolescents with elevated anxiety symptoms remain scarce. Therefore, accessible and tailored strategies are needed to effectively promote help-seeking among this group. TOUCHminds is a web-based intervention designed to enhance help-seeking among adolescents with clinical or subclinical anxiety. The program consists of six self-guided modules featuring interactive activities (e.g., images, videos, simulation activities, and audio recordings), combined with three synchronous sessions led by a psychologist via videoconference. The intervention explicitly targets precursors of help-seeking, including mental health literacy, mental health stigma, self-compassion, readiness to change, and stage of change. This research project comprises two studies. Study I, a feasibility study involving 10 adolescents aged 15 to 17, will assess recruitment procedures, dropout rates, usage patterns, therapist fidelity, acceptability, usability, satisfaction, and preliminary effects. Study II, a randomized controlled trial (RCT), intends to include 96 adolescents randomly assigned to four groups: clinical intervention, clinical control, subclinical intervention, and subclinical control. Clinical participants are those who meet diagnostic criteria for one or more anxiety disorders, whereas subclinical participants present high self-reported anxiety but no mental disorder diagnosis. Intervention effects will based on self-report assessments conducted at pre-intervention, post-intervention (9 weeks later), and at 3-month follow-up. This research will provide evidence regarding the suitability and effectiveness of TOUCHminds in promoting help-seeking among adolescents experiencing different levels of anxiety symptoms. Findings will contribute to the field of empirically validated web-based interventions tailored specifically for adolescents.

Unmute's CARE Framework: A Novel Approach to Strengthen the Therapeutic Alliance and Reduce Treatment Disparities

Aim 1: Expand and adapt the CARE framework to train providers to cultivate a strong early alliance with patients who do not share their background (e.g., mismatched dyads). Aim 2: Establish the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of the adapted CARE framework in mismatched dyads involving 8 providers and 40 patients receiving 15 sessions of teletherapy. The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a new CARE intervention works to improve the cultural fit of psychotherapy for diverse populations, even when the therapist and patient do not share the same cultural background. We will refine and test the intervention with a sample of therapists working with Asian American participants receiving short-term individual psychotherapy delivered online. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Does the CARE framework, adapted for and delivered by therapists specifically trained to work with patients who do not share their background (e.g., mismatched dyads), improve treatment engagement and retention? * Is the CARE framework associated with a) the development of a positive therapeutic relationship between mismatched patient-therapist dyads and b) significant improvements in participants' presenting problems? Participants will: * Receive up to 15 weekly sessions of individual psychotherapy * Complete different online surveys after every session and on a monthly basis

Developing a Booster Session for Problem Management Plus in the Bahamas: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Therapists at the Grand Bahama Resilience Center (GBRC) will be trained to deliver Problem Management Plus (PM+), a WHO intervention. Then, those therapists will deliver PM+ (5 one-on-one skills-based sessions) to a total of 50 adult clients experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties (excluding anyone with cognitive difficulties or psychosis). Participants will complete (de-identified) self-report survey assessments before PM+, after PM+, 3 months later, and 6 months later. After receiving 5 sessions of PM+, participants will be randomized to either receive a one-time booster session of PM+ (to be co-created by the PI and the GBRC providers) three months later or to a control group which will receive a phone call reminding them that they will receive their third assessment soon.

Culturally Adapted i-CBT for Farsi/Dari Speaking Migrants

The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to investigate the effectiveness of a culturally adapted internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (i-CBT) intervention in reducing symptoms of common mental health issues among Farsi/Dari-speaking youth migrants and refugees. Investigator hypothesizes that there will be a significant decrease in psychological symptoms after participants receive the intervention compared to a control group.

Precision Subclassification of Mental Health in Diabetes: Digital Twins for Precision Mental Health to Track Subgroups

Mental conditions and disorders (e.g. distress, depressive, anxiety, and eating disorders) are more prevalent in people with diabetes (PWD) and associated with reduced quality of life and impaired glycaemic outcomes. Evidence supports a complex network between psychosocial factors and glycaemic control that can be highly variable between persons. It is assumed that subgroups exist that show different trajectories of glycaemia and mental health. Belonging to a particular subgroup may be linked with a higher risk of developing mental health problems compared to others. This suggests that it is possible to treat individuals in different subgroups in a manner that optimizes their treatment and can improve health outcomes. Accurate characterisation can inform more individualized care. This calls for a more personalised approach considering the idiosyncrasies of different subgroups. Over 3 years, the investigators have established the basis of a precision mental health approach for diabetes using n-of-1 analyses. By utilizing combined ecological momentary assessment (EMA: repeated daily sampling of psychosocial factors in everyday life) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), intensive longitudinal data per person could be collected. This enables the analysis of individual associations between glycaemic parameters and psychosocial variables and identification of individual sources of diabetes distress in each person. The objective of the present study is to use of the n-of-1 approach to identify subgroups of PWD who share common characteristics in the associations between glucose and psychosocial variables. The identified subgroups shall be used to develop a digital twin for precision mental health in diabetes. The digital twin serves as representation of a real person, allowing to make simulations and predictions of the course of mental health and glycaemia. These predictions can inform diabetes care and lead to more precise, personalised treatment decisions. To achieve this, a longitudinal panel including over 1,400 PWD who continuously complete EMA and questionnaire surveys and measure glucose levels using CGM was developed. Over 1000 clinical interviews to diagnose mental disorders have been conducted to identify major mental health conditions and map mental outcomes. To identify subgroups and develop the digital twin, the sampling will be expanded aiming at a total of 1,809 PWD. Incidence and remission of mental disorders will be determined via repeated interviews. The complex networks between clinical, metabolic, and psychosocial data will be analysed using machine learning, leading to new insights with the potential to shape future guidelines. These results will be used by the digital twin to predict courses of glycaemic control and mental health, translating the individual evidence into direct treatment suggestions.

A Study on the Effectiveness of Comprehensive Intervention Based on Specialized Physical Education Courses in the Prevention of Comorbidity Among Junior Middle School Students

Junior high school students are in a critical period of physical and mental development, currently facing two major health challenges: first, persistently high rates of myopia with a noticeable trend toward younger onset; second, the overlapping occurrence of common conditions such as overweight/obesity, spinal deformities, and psychological anxiety.Traditional physical education classes, characterized by limited content and insufficient targeting, struggle to address these issues. Multimorbidity of common diseases in children and adolescents refers to the coexistence of two or more common diseases or chronic health problems in the same individual. Therefore, this study innovatively designed a specialized physical education curriculum integrating "exercise + health education," aiming to fill the gap in comprehensive prevention and control of common adolescent health conditions through traditional physical interventions. This study systematically investigated the effects of a specialized physical education intervention program on myopia prevention and control, as well as the simultaneous prevention of multiple common health conditions (overweight/obesity, abnormal blood pressure, insufficient cardiorespiratory fitness, abnormal spinal curvature, anxiety symptoms, and depression symptoms) among junior high school students in China. The program was designed and implemented for students at a Chinese secondary school, ultimately aiming to provide a replicable school-based physical education intervention model for adolescent health promotion. The study strictly adhered to a randomized controlled design, employing multidimensional evaluation, long-term follow-up, and rigorous quality control to ensure scientific validity and reliability of the findings.

Project COPE-Spain (Coping Options for Parent Empowerment)

The goal of this study trial is to establish the preliminary clinical utility of the COPE program (Coping Options for Parent Empowerment) adapted for caregivers of adolescents in the Spanish context. This program aims to improve parents' emotional well-being, enhance their parenting skills, and promote positive changes in their childrens' emotional and behavioral well-being. This study will adapt the COPE program for in-person group administration in the Spanish context, specifically in the school setting.

Video-feedback Intervention to Promote Racial-Ethnic Socialization Competency (VIP-RACE)

The aim of this study is to evaluate a novel cultural strengths parenting program - the Video-feedback Intervention to Promote Racial-Ethnic Socialization CompEtency (VIP-RACE) - which seeks to support Latine parents' motivation to engage in racial-ethnic socialization (RES) and strengthen their RES competency (improved skills and confidence, decreased stress). In the preliminary phases of this project, we iteratively refined the VIP-RACE program in partnership with advisory boards of youth, parents, and providers. The refined intervention will now be tested with five parents of 10-14-year-old Latine youth to identify gaps in the curriculum and obstacles to implementation that can be addressed prior to a larger pilot. The investigators will then conduct a proof-of-concept single-arm trial with Latine families to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of VIP-RACE. The investigators hypothesize that VIP-RACE will be shown to be feasible and acceptable to families. The investigators also predict that bolstering parents' RES motivation and competency will result in increased frequency and quality of these conversations between parents and youth which, in turn, are expected to strengthen youth racial-ethnic identity and coping and have cascading effects on mental and behavioral health.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Unaccompanied Refugee Minors With PTSD in Greece: An RCT

This single-blinded, multicentered, randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) compared to Treatment-as-Usual (TAU) in reducing post-traumatic stress symptoms among unaccompanied refugee minors (UAMs) residing in accommodation centers and Supported Independent Living (SIL) programs in Greece. Participants aged 15-18 will be randomly assigned to either a TF-CBT intervention group or a TAU control group. The intervention will be delivered by trained psychologists under supervision and culturally adapted to the Greek refugee context. Assessments will occur at baseline, post-intervention, and three months later, using standardized psychometric tools. Secondary outcomes include changes in comorbid psychiatric symptoms (depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms), emotional and behavioral difficulties, and quality of life. The study also investigates potential moderators of treatment response such as age, gender, trauma history, and psychiatric comorbidity.

Between the Belly and the Brain: Distorted Gut-brain Crosstalk in Early-life Adversity

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the effects of early-life adversity (ELA) on the composition of children's microbiome and on their psychosocial functioning. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Do children who have experienced ELA have lower gut microbial diversity and/or an altered gut microbial composition? * Do these microbiome alterations correlate with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes, including increased levels of stress, social and/or affective problems?

Strengthening Health and Insight in New Educators

Teachers are at notable risk for depression and anxiety. The present study tests an app-based mindfulness intervention for teachers in their final year of training with the goal of preventing the deterioration of their mental health during the transition into the classroom. The project will strengthen the research environment at the University of Alabama and will involve undergraduate research assistants in each step of the research process.

Baduanjin Training for Depression and Anxiety Patients

In recent years, the number of people with symptoms of depression or anxiety are on the rise. The aims of the prospective randomized study are: (1) to examine the effects of Baduanjin breathing training on reducing symptoms of depression or anxiety, and (2) to explore the correlates between improvements of depression or anxiety symptom and changes of lung functions.

Module-Based Psychological (MBP) for Community Youths

This waitlist, randomised controlled trial (RCT) aims to examine the effectiveness of the Module-Based Psychological (MBP) intervention in reducing mental distress for youths aged 12-30 years in Hong Kong. The participants randomised to the MBP group will receive 4-7 sessions of MBP (in 6 to 10 weeks) in an individual format delivered by frontline social or youth workers trained by professional clinicians. The waitlist control group will receive the same intervention after 6 weeks of waiting plus a 1-month follow-up period. The MBP is designed to improve the youths' abilities/skills in handling moods for better emotional management. Written informed consent will be signed by participants or their parents/guardians if they are under the age of 18.

The Impact of Playing Tetris on Migrants' Mental Health

This study examines if playing Tetris prevents the development of Post-traumatic stress disorder or related anxiety and depressive symptoms. The investigators recruit 300 participants in total in Greece and in the Netherlands. The participants are immigrants who have applied for asylum at any point in the past. The participants are asked to answer three questionnaires (on Post-traumatic stress disorder, related anxiety and depressive symptoms, and post-migration living difficulties) on a recurring basis - once every 4 weeks, 12 times in total. Half of the participants (treatment group) are randomly selected to play Tetris after completing the questionnaires. Participants in the treatment group are instructed to play Tetris for at least 15 minutes while trying to remember bad things that recently happened to them. Tetris is administered at three instances and participants in the treatment group are encouraged to play Tetris in case of experiencing any traumatic events or having any intrusive memories during the course of the study.

Effectiveness of the Universal Prevention Program Super Skills for Life in Schools

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-session cognitive-behavioral transdiagnostic protocol for Spanish children aged 8 to 12 within an educational context, Super Skills for Life. The program, designed to enhance emotional management and social interaction skills, will be delivered in a group format and supplemented with multimedia materials. The study will compare outcomes between an intervention group and a wait-list control group.

Improving Sleep to Prevent Depression & Anxiety in Adolescents at High Risk

Emerging evidence has shown that sleep interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) improve depressive and anxiety symptoms in adults, even when the intervention is brief, such as four to six sessions. The overarching aim of the proposed research is to conduct a pilot trial to evaluate whether a brief intervention for insomnia adapted for improves sleep and subthreshold depressive and anxiety symptoms in adolescents at risk (i.e., with a parental history of depressive or anxiety disorders).

Efficacy of a Mobile Phone App for Depression and Anxiety in College Students

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of a mobile phone application for the early intervention of depression and anxiety among young university students in Chile. The main question it aims to answer is: \- Can a mobile app reduce depressive and anxious symptomatology in college students? Researchers will compare the intervention arm (mobile app users) to the control group (receives psychoeducational material and mental health care resources) to see if the app leads to significant improvements in depressive and anxious symptoms and well-being. Participants will: * Be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. * Use the mobile application, which includes psychoeducational materials, cognitive-behavioral therapy modules, and periodic personalized feedback. * Complete assessments at baseline, post-intervention, and 3 and 6 months after randomization using online tools such as the PHQ-9 for depressive symptoms and the GAD-7 for anxious symptoms.

Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: a Factorial Randomized Controlled Trial About Treatment Content and Support

The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in treatment outcomes between individually tailored and transdiagnostic internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT), as well as the differences between weekly support by a specific therapist and weekly support by a team. The target group is adults (18 years or older) who experience mild to moderate depression symptoms, anxiety, stress or other psychological symptoms. The ICBT, in both types of treatment contents, consists of modules that the participants will work with for eight weeks in total. Participants will be recruited in Sweden with nationwide recruitment.