Clinical Research Directory

Screening and Monitoring of Mental Health in Educational Settings: Programme for Detection, Psychoeducation and Self-help

Adolescence is a critical developmental stage during which many mental health problems first emerge. However, a large proportion of these issues go undetected and untreated. Globally, approximately one in seven adolescents experiences mental health difficulties, with increasing trends observed in recent years. Schools offer an important setting for early detection and intervention, yet existing programmes often lack structure or scalability. The MENTOR programme (MENtal Health Tracking, Outreach and Referral) was designed to identify adolescents under psychological distress in educational settings and offer tiered support including psychoeducation, self-help tools, and referral to mental health services when needed. This is a prospective, longitudinal, multicentre study that will be implemented in eight educational centres in Spain, including secondary schools, sixth-form colleges, and vocational training centres. Adolescents and young adults will be invited to participate voluntarily. At baseline and at each trimester, participants will complete validated mental health screening tools assessing common conditions such as anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation. Based on results, participants will be assigned to one of several support pathways: access to digital self-help materials, small-group interventions, or referral to school-based or external mental health professionals. Follow-up assessments will measure changes in symptomatology, engagement with self-care tools, and help-seeking behaviour. Quantitative data will be analysed to assess feasibility, adherence, and effectiveness of the intervention over time, and conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis This protocol aims to improve adolescent mental health through a school-based, digitally delivered screening and intervention programme. By evaluating feasibility and acceptance across eight educational centres, the study seeks to generate real-time data on prevalent mental health issues, promote awareness and self-care, and facilitate early professional intervention. If effective, the programme could support scalable, tiered prevention strategies in educational settings, contributing to reduced rates of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, eating disorders, and addictions. Its implementation may also improve resource allocation, reduce wait times, and inform future health policies for longitudinal mental health monitoring from childhood. Findings will contribute to the development of accessible, evidence-based models for adolescent mental health promotion and early intervention.

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation for Comorbid Depression and Chronic Pain

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if active transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve pain symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and chronic pain symptoms. It will also explore the neural mechanisms underlying these potential effects. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Are there any differences in the overall efficacy among the three intervention groups (tACS, tDCS, and sham)? 2. Is active tACS superior to sham stimulation in reducing pain symptoms in patients with MDD and chronic pain over the 2-week treatment period and at the 6-week follow-up? 3. Is active tACS superior to active tDCS in reducing pain symptoms? 4. Does active tACS, compared to tDCS, demonstrate a more persistent improvement in pain symptoms, as measured at the 6-week follow-up? 5. As an exploratory objective, what neural oscillation entrainment mechanisms underlie the potential analgesic effects of tACS? Researchers will compare three parallel groups: active tACS, active tDCS, and sham stimulation, to evaluate their efficacy. All three groups are randomized and double-blinded. In addition, a separate exploratory open-label cohort of 10 participants will receive the same active tACS intervention while performing a cognitive task. This exploratory arm is designed to investigate the neural oscillation entrainment effects of tACS. Data from this arm will be analyzed separately and are not included in the primary confirmatory analyses. Participants in the main randomized trial will: 1. Receive 40 minutes of stimulation (tACS, tDCS, or sham) once daily, 5 days per week, for 2 weeks (10 sessions total). 2. Complete clinical assessments and cognitive tests at baseline, mid-intervention (week 1), post-intervention (week 2), and at a 6-week follow-up. 3. Undergo resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) and blood sample collection at baseline and post-intervention for exploratory biomarker analyses. Participants in the exploratory open-label arm will: 1. Receive active tACS (1 mA, 10 Hz, 40 minutes) once daily, 5 days per week, for 2 weeks (10 sessions total), while performing a cognitive task during stimulation. 2. Complete resting-state and task-state EEG recordings at the following time points: (1) At baseline (pre-intervention) (2) Immediately before and after the 1st tACS session (3) Immediately before and after the 10th tACS session (4) On the day after completion of all 10 sessions These EEG recordings are designed to assess: (1) the immediate entrainment effects of a single tACS session, (2) the cumulative effects after repeated tACS sessions, and (3) the persistent neural plasticity changes following the full intervention course.

Maintenance Individualized Neuromodulation and Depression-detection Via Sensors for Early Treatment

This proposal seeks to carry out a prospective, single-arm open label study aimed at sustaining treatment-resistant depression (TRD) response in patients with TRD who had responded to prior individualized resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC)-guided intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS). It also seeks to detect and predict relapse risk by integrating rs-FC iTBS with a TMS-adapted needs-based symptom-titrated algorithm based longitudinal ECT (STABLE) maintenance scheduling algorithm, and passive digital biomarkers.

A Study of a Deuterated Psilocin Analog (CYB003) in Humans With Major Depressive Disorder

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy, safety and tolerability of CYB003 compared to matching placebo as adjunctive treatment in patients with MDD. For more information about the EMBRACE study, including participating study locations, and to register your interest in learning more about participation, please visit the study website: https://embrace-mdd-trial.com/

Mapping the Neural Circuits of Depression and Anxiety Using Personalized, Accelerated TMS and Deep Phenotyping

This proposal seeks to carry out a double-blinded, randomized, comparative study that investigates neurobehavioral changes induced by personalized, anxiosomatic and dysphoric network guided accelerated intermittent-theta burst (iTBS) using dense functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) sampling in participants with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and moderate/high levels of anxiety.

The Lucida Project

The purpose of this clinical trial is to learn about the impact of the Healthy Minds Program (HMP) on measurements of well-being. The main question it aims to answer is: * Does use of HMP reduce symptoms of depression? Participants will complete a 4-week well-being program.

Mpata Yathu Trial for Young Women in Zambia

This randomized controlled trial evaluates Mpata Yathu ("Our Space"), a trauma-informed, church-based counseling intervention for adolescent girls and young women in Lusaka, Zambia who have experienced gender-based violence and are living with or at risk for HIV. The intervention is delivered by lay counselors who provide individual problem-solving therapy and referrals for mental health, HIV, and GBV-related services. Participants are assigned to receive counseling immediately or after a three-month waitlist period. The study examines mental health, HIV-related outcomes, and the feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity of delivering this community-based intervention.

Modulatory Effects of Personalized Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) on Heart-Brain Coupling in Individuals With Depressive Tendencies

This study focuses on individuals with depressive tendencies and investigates the regulatory effects of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)-guided by personalized functional connectivity mapping-on heart-brain coupling in this population, while also exploring the underlying mechanisms.Participants will undergo 3T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans, followed by four different types of neurostimulation: stimulation targeting individualized Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC) -Subgenual Anterior Cingulate Cortex (sgACC) functional connectivity, stimulation targeting individualized DLPFC-insula functional connectivity, standard F3 targeting, and sham stimulation. The order of these stimulation sessions will be randomized. Researchers will simultaneously record the participants' electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) signals before and after stimulation, and will record ECG in real-time during the stimulation. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effects of DLPFC targeting specificity on metrics such as heart-brain coupling in individuals with depressive tendencies, thereby providing a basis for future research on objective assessment and personalized interventions for depression.

Exercise Adherence in Afghan Women With Depression

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a structured, culturally adapted home-based exercise program helps Afghan women with depression stay more active than routine exercise advice. The study will also examine whether taking part in the exercise program improves depression symptoms, daily functioning, and participant satisfaction, and whether the program is safe. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Does a structured home-based exercise program help participants exercise more regularly over 8 weeks? * Does the program improve depression symptoms and daily functioning? * Is the program acceptable to participants, and are there any safety concerns? Researchers will compare a structured home-based exercise program with routine exercise advice to see which approach leads to better exercise adherence. About 60 women aged 18 to 50 years with mild to moderate depression will take part. Participants will be randomly assigned (by chance) to one of two groups. Participants in the structured exercise group will: * Receive an illustrated exercise booklet with simple home-based exercises, such as breathing, stretching, walking, and light aerobic activities. * Choose exercises that suit their preferences, abilities, and daily schedules. * Record each exercise session in a logbook, including the date, type of exercise, and how long they exercised. Participants in the routine exercise advice group will: * Receive their usual psychiatric care and general advice about the benefits of physical activity. * Receive a logbook to record any physical activity or exercise they complete during the study. All participants will take part in the study for 8 weeks. At the beginning and end of the study, they will complete questionnaires about their depression symptoms and their ability to carry out everyday activities. At the end of the study, participants will also complete a questionnaire about their satisfaction with the program, and researchers will ask about any medical problems or injuries that occurred during the study. The information from this study may help researchers understand whether a culturally adapted home-based structured exercise program is a practical and effective way to support Afghan women with depression and encourage regular physical activity.

The COMET Study: a Prospective COhort of MEdical residenTs to Assess Professional, Personal and Psychological Trajectories of Residents in General Internal Medicine

Introduction. Switzerland, like most Western countries, faces a paradox: an ageing, multimorbid population needs general internal medicine (GIM) physicians more than ever, yet fewer young doctors choose - and stay in - the specialty. Career decisions during residency are intertwined with well-being, mental and physical health, and work-life balance, and distress in training has been associated with depression, burnout, attrition and poorer patient care. Longitudinal data following GIM residents across these domains, and linking them to actual career trajectories, are lacking. The COMET study establishes a multicentre prospective cohort of GIM residents to fill this gap. Methods and analysis. COMET is a prospective, open, multicentre cohort conducted in the departments of (general) internal medicine of Fribourg Hospital (HFR, four sites), Bern University Hospital (Inselspital) and Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV). All GIM residents providing direct patient care are eligible (≈334 residents; expected enrolment ≥267, assuming 80% participation). Participants complete an annual online survey (REDCap; French or German) at baseline and for at least four years, covering sociodemographics; job characteristics; career intentions and 24 factors for or against a GIM career; well-being (Physician Well-Being Index, Professional Fulfillment Index, quality of life, work-life balance); mental health (CES-D, Perceived Stress Scale, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy); and physical health (step counts, physical activity, fatigue, sleep, healthcare utilisation). Primary endpoints are the longitudinal course of well-being and distress (PWBI, PFI, CES-D) and residents' career trajectory. Analyses combine descriptive statistics, mixed-effects and regression models, and comparisons with the population-based CoLaus\|PsyCoLaus cohort.

Comparing the Efficacy of Heated Yoga and Sauna as a Treatment for Depression

This project explores whether heated yoga, sauna, and a mindfulness app reduce depressive symptoms

Lonely in Depression

The goal of this prospective study is to better understand the link between loneliness and depression in the inpatient psychiatric treatment of depression. It aims to answer: Do lonely and not lonely persons benefit the same way from inpatient depression treatment? Is loneliness a clinical relevant factor in inpatient treatment of depression? What are the underlying biopsychosocial mechanisms? Participants will be asked to do some * self-report questionnaires * clinical interview * biosampling (blood, saliva, stool) at three main measurement timepoints (1. begin of inpatient treatment, 2. day of discharge, 3. three months after discharge).

The Effects of Chiropractic on Adults With Depression

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility of the study design in preparation for a future clinical trial examining chiropractic care for adults with mild to moderate depression. We aim to determine whether the study procedures function as intended, including the ability to recruit, retain, and engage participants, as well as whether the intervention is implemented as planned. The main questions it aims to answer is: 1. Can sufficient eligible participants be enrolled within the planned timeframe? 2. Is there any retention of participant throughout the study duration and the factors contributing to ongoing participation? 3. Can participants adhere to pre-treatment instructions and protocols before their first check-up? 4. Can participants attend and complete all assessments and chiropractic sessions? 5. Can participants fulfill all required study activities without excessive burden? 6. Can chiropractors strictly follow chiropractic adjustments only, without offering any additional treatments? Researchers will compare adults with depression on the waitlist group to see if chiropractic care effects on adults with depression. Participants will * Perform resting state Electrocardiography (ECG) * Perform resting state Electroencephalography (EEG) * Perform Event-related potential (ERP) à Auditory and visual stimuli tests * Complete Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) * COMPASS-31 * PROMIS-29 * PROMIS-Cog-8 * Perceived Stress Scale * Depression Short Form 8a * Complete Assessment of Acceptability * Complete Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) * Receive 6 weeks of chiropractic care treatment

Aromatherapy for Mental Health Promotion in IVF Patients

The experience of infertility can cause significant emotional instability, especially for patients awaiting In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment, generating anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms. This study is a randomized clinical trial assessing the effectiveness of aromatherapy in improving mental health and quality of life in women undergoing infertility treatment. 120 participants will be randomized into three groups (Intervention, Placebo, and Control). The intervention involves the inhalation of true lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) for four weeks.

Development and Multicenter Validation of an AI-Based Remote Photoplethysmography (rPPG) Facial Scan for Multimodal Health Assessment

The goal of this observational study is to learn if a non-contact facial scan using artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to check health status in adults living in urban areas such as Jakarta. The facial scan uses a method called remote photoplethysmography (rPPG), which measures small changes in blood flow from the face using a camera. The main questions this study aims to answer are: 1. How close are the results from the facial scan to standard medical measurements, such as heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels? 2. Can the facial scan estimate other health indicators, such as blood sugar, lipid profile, HbA1c, and hemoglobin levels? 3. Is there a relationship between the facial scan results and mental health, such as stress, anxiety, and depression? Participants will take part in several simple and mostly non-invasive procedures: 1. Answer questionnaires about their mental health and daily habits 2. Have basic health checks, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and body measurements 3. Provide a blood sample for laboratory testing 4. Complete a facial scan using a camera for about 1 to 3 minutes Researchers will compare the results from the facial scan with standard clinical and laboratory tests to see how well the technology works. This study may help develop a simple and accessible screening tool that can be used for early detection of health risks. It may also support the use of digital health and telemedicine in community and clinical settings.

Symptoms of Anxiety and/or Depression and SDM in Older Patients With CLTI

Mental health disorders are common in older people and are often unrecognised. Those living with mental health disorders who are being considered for vascular surgery have worse post operative outcomes, including longer length of hospital stay, higher readmission rates and emergency admissions to hospital. These patients also have more medical conditions contributing to their post surgery complications and poor health outcomes. Surgery for vascular patients can include life changing operations, such as amputation, which impacts mental health and quality of life. Shared decision making is the process whereby patients and clinicians work together to make evidence based decisions centred on patient values and preferences and is part of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and optimisation (CGA) model of care. SDM has been shown to improve patient experience through provision of realistic choice, enhanced interaction with clinicians, greater empowerment and increased confidence and trust in healthcare provision. Implementing SDM in vascular patients can be particularly challenging. Evaluating and communicating benefits and risks of available treatments for CLTI in a complex older patient population requires additional consideration beyond the inherent surgical risks. To achieve truly informed SDM, the clinician requires knowledge of the impact of co-existing conditions on postoperative recovery, the natural history of the surgical pathology with and without surgery and an awareness of the benefits and risks of alternative treatments underpinned by skilful communication.

Virtual Reality-Based Mindfulness as an Adjunct to Treatment as Usual in Treatment-Resistant Depression

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a combined Virtual Reality (VR)-based mindfulness intervention and pharmacological treatment compared with pharmacological treatment alone in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). Secondary questions this study aims to address include: 1. Does the combined intervention lead to changes in inflammatory blood parameters compared with pharmacological treatment alone? 2. Does the addition of a VR-based mindfulness intervention prolong remission of depressive symptoms six months after treatment completion? 3. Is the combined treatment with mindfulness and esketamine well-tolerated, and how does its adverse effect profile compare with esketamine treatment alone? 4. Is there an association between changes in mindfulness trait levels, assessed using the FFMQ-SF, and reductions in depressive symptom severity? Participants will be recruited from a Treatment-Resistant Depression Programme and randomly assigned to receive either VR-based mindfulness intervention in addition to treatment as usual or treatment as usual alone. The mindfulness intervention will last one month and include a total of 8 sessions. All participants will undergo comprehensive assessments at baseline and at predefined follow-up time points to evaluate clinical outcomes, inflammatory markers, tolerability, and remission duration.

GynMDD Add-On to Supportive Psychotherapy in Mild to Moderate Depression

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether the dietary supplement GynMDD, when taken as an add-on to supportive psychotherapy, can improve symptoms of mild to moderate depression in adults aged 18 to 65. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does adding GynMDD to supportive psychotherapy lead to a greater reduction in depressive symptoms (measured by the MADRS scale) compared with supportive psychotherapy plus placebo? Does the supplement also improve digestive well-being and influence gut microbiota profiles over the course of treatment? Researchers will compare patients receiving supportive psychotherapy + GynMDD to those receiving supportive psychotherapy + placebo to see if GynMDD provides additional benefits beyond standard care. Participants will: * Attend regular appointments with their general practitioner * Complete one supportive psychotherapy session per week for 8 weeks * Take a daily dose of GynMDD or placebo * Complete weekly self-assessment questionnaires on mood, digestive symptoms, and any side effects via a mobile app * Provide two stool samples (at the start and end of the study) for microbiota analysis

General Practitioner & Pharmacist Support for Discontinuing Long-term Antidepressants in Clinically Stable Patients

In Belgium, many adults who have suffered from depression keep using antidepressants on a daily basis for years afterwards, sometimes longer than guidelines recommend. Yet for some people who have been feeling well for a long time, this is no longer necessary, while the continued use of antidepressants can lead to side effects and causes additional costs for the healthcare system. However, reducing the doses of antidepressants or stopping altogether is not always easy. Some patients are afraid that their depression will return, and GPs and pharmacists often find the subject difficult to broach. This is why the GPS-AD study is investigating a new approach in which GPs and pharmacists work more closely together to provide better support to patients. First, the GP invites patients who have been taking antidepressants for a long time for a consultation. Together, they discuss whether tapering of the medication is reasonable and feasible. If they agree to stop the treatment, the GP draws up a tapering plan tailored to the patient. The pharmacist helps monitor this process, offering advice and support to the patient while the doses are gradually reduced. The study will extend over a period of two years and will take place in GP practices throughout Belgium. The new approach based on closer collaboration between GPs and pharmacists will be compared to the current standard of care, to determine whether it helps more long-term users to stop taking antidepressants without experiencing a recurrence of depressive symptoms. The name of the study, GPS-AD (General Practitioner and Pharmacist Support for Antidepressant Discontinuation), refers to the collaboration between GPs and pharmacists in tapering of antidepressants, and also symbolises the support and guidance (the 'GPS') provided to patients and healthcare providers in assessing whether long-term use of antidepressants is still necessary.

Effectiveness of the SoundHeal Multi-Sensory Integrative Therapy Among Justice-Involved Youth

Emotional dysregulation in justice-involved youth (JIY) is a condition that significantly impacts young people, their families, and juvenile justice and public health systems. Affecting an estimated 60-70% of detained Attention deficit hyperactivity disorderadolescents, it is a major driver of aggression, substance use, school failure, and later recidivism. Despite available treatments, managing emotional dysregulation in custody remains challenging, with youth often enduring high arousal, anger, and anxiety that persist into adulthood. Current popular therapies, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), often fall short in detention because they rely on verbal processing, require multiple scheduled sessions, and/or need highly trained staff. Other technologies, like biofeedback and neurostimulation techniques, are still under scrutiny for adolescents, given their higher-than-usual Adverse Events (AEs). This SoundHeal study aims to evaluate a sensory intervention using the Healpod, a distraction-free physical space where a participant sits, delivering sound, music, gentle vibrations, and ambient light. Following this is a brief expressive journaling exercise to compare any before, during and after experience changes from the sensory immersion. This prospective, single-center cohort study hypothesizes that these sessions will improve juveniles' ability to emotionally regulate, improve therapeutic alliance, mental health outcomes and build coping skills that can potentially help in long-term mental health and substance abuse treatment in JIY and beyond.

Electro-acupuncture for SCD With Depression

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture in treating adults with subjective cognitive decline accompanied by depression. The main objectives are to answer the following questions: 1. Can electroacupuncture improve cognitive function and depressive symptoms in individuals with subjective cognitive decline accompanied by depression? 2. Does electroacupuncture alleviate subjective cognitive decline with depression by modulating the amygdala-entorhinal circuit, and if so, what is the specific mechanism involved? Researchers will compare real electroacupuncture therapy with sham electroacupuncture therapy to determine whether real electroacupuncture can effectively improve symptoms in patients with subjective cognitive decline accompanied by depression. Additionally, multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology will be used to assess changes in the amygdala-entorhinal circuit following electroacupuncture intervention. Participants will: 1. Receive either real or sham electroacupuncture treatment once daily, 3-5 times per week, for a total treatment duration of 8 weeks. 2. Undergo cognitive function and depression assessments before and after treatment. 3. Complete multimodal cranial magnetic resonance imaging examinations before and after treatment.

Impact of Nut Consumption on Mental Health in Young Adults

Nuts have a high nutrient density, and numerous studies have reported their cardiometabolic benefits. Although observational studies in adults have indicated a potential link between nut consumption and improved mental health, there is still insufficient evidence from experimental studies to draw firm conclusions about this association.

Change in Social Media Use and Well-being Among College Students Receiving a Two-week Exercise or Mindfulness Intervention

The investigators will be randomizing 300 college student participants with high levels of social media use into either a 1) control condition (no intervention), a 2) mindfulness meditation cognitive intervention, or 3) a social media reduction + exercise replacement intervention. Participants complete intervention activities daily for two weeks. The investigators will collect self-report and behavioral measures of social media use and related psychological constructs at three time points: baseline, immediately after the intervention period, and one-week after the intervention period (three weeks from baseline).

Impact of Therapeutic Exercise Integrated With Psychotherapy and Education in Patients With Depression

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a combined approach including therapeutic exercise, psychotherapy, and therapeutic education can improve depressive symptoms and quality of life in adults diagnosed with depression. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does a biobehavioral intervention that integrates exercise, psychotherapy, and education reduce depressive symptoms more effectively than psychotherapy alone? Does this combined approach improve quality of life, physical function, and sleep quality compared with standard psychological therapy? Researchers will compare the intervention group (therapeutic exercise + psychotherapy + education) to the control group (psychotherapy alone) to determine whether the integrated program provides greater improvements in mental health and well-being. Participants will: Complete an initial assessment including demographic data, physical tests, and validated questionnaires. Be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. If in the intervention group, take part in an 8-week telematic program consisting of graded activity, therapeutic exercise, and educational sessions. Undergo post-intervention assessments and a follow-up evaluation 12 weeks after the program ends. This study aims to provide evidence on whether combining therapeutic exercise and education with psychotherapy can enhance treatment outcomes and promote long-term adherence to physical activity in people with depression.