Energetic activity for depression in young people aged 13-17 years: the READY feasibility RCT

• Published in: Health technology assessment (Winchester, England) England), 2024-12, p.1
• Main Authors: Smith, Megan, James, Ryan, Howlett, Neil, Mengoni, Silvana, Jones, Julia, Sims, Erika, Turner, David, Grant, Kelly, Clark, Allan, Murdoch, Jamie, Bottoms, Lindsay, Wilson, Jonathan, Sharma, Shivani, Chater, Angel, Guillard, Cecile, Clarke, Timothy, Jones, Andy, David, Lee, Wyatt, Solange, Rourke, Claire, Wellsted, David, Trivedi, Daksha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2046-4924; 2046-4924
• DOI: 10.3310/KWNH4507

Prevalence of depression is increasing in young people. Behaviour change interventions providing benefits equal to or greater than talking therapies or pharmacological alternatives are needed. Exercise could be beneficial for young people with depression, but we lack robust trials of its effectiveness.BackgroundPrevalence of depression is increasing in young people. Behaviour change interventions providing benefits equal to or greater than talking therapies or pharmacological alternatives are needed. Exercise could be beneficial for young people with depression, but we lack robust trials of its effectiveness.To test whether an exercise intervention targeting young people with depression is feasible, including recruitment and retention of young people, recruitment and training of exercise professionals and intervention delivery.ObjectiveTo test whether an exercise intervention targeting young people with depression is feasible, including recruitment and retention of young people, recruitment and training of exercise professionals and intervention delivery.Three-arm cluster feasibility randomised controlled trial with embedded process evaluation and health economic data collection.DesignThree-arm cluster feasibility randomised controlled trial with embedded process evaluation and health economic data collection.Local community venues in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Norfolk.SettingLocal community venues in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Norfolk.Young people aged 13-17 years experiencing mild to moderate low mood or depression (indicated by scoring 17-36 on the Child Depression Inventory version 2) identified by mental health services, schools or self-referral.ParticipantsYoung people aged 13-17 years experiencing mild to moderate low mood or depression (indicated by scoring 17-36 on the Child Depression Inventory version 2) identified by mental health services, schools or self-referral.Participants were randomised to one of three groups: high-intensity exercise, low-intensity exercise or a social activity control. Group sessions ran twice-weekly for 12 weeks delivered by registered exercise professionals, supported by mental health support workers.InterventionsParticipants were randomised to one of three groups: high-intensity exercise, low-intensity exercise or a social activity control. Group sessions ran twice-weekly for 12 weeks delivered by registered exercise professionals, supported by mental health support workers.Referral, recruitment and retenti