Authors' objectives: 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. 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.

Authors' results and conclusions: Of 321 referrals to the study, 173 were assessed for eligibility, and of the target sample size of 81, 15 were recruited and 14 were randomised (one withdrew). The retention rate was 71.4% and attendance at intervention sessions was > 67%; data completeness was > 80% for baseline assessments. Follow-up completion rate at 14 weeks was > 80% for most outcomes, with 50% for accelerometer data in the low-intensity group. Trial processes and the intervention were acceptable to young people. Barriers to and facilitators of intervention delivery were identified. A large randomised trial of the effectiveness of the intervention is not feasible using the current study design, but issues relating to recruitment could be addressed with further work.

Authors' methods: Three-arm cluster feasibility randomised controlled trial with embedded process evaluation and health economic data collection. Local 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. 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. Referral, recruitment and retention rates; attendance at group sessions; adherence to and ability to reach intensity during exercise sessions; proportions of missing data, and adverse events measured at baseline and at 3 and 6 months; resource use; and reach and representativeness. Findings highlighted challenges around recruitment, delivery of exercise interventions and informed ways of addressing barriers to recruitment for future studies. The study was conducted between October 2020 and August 2022 and consequently the COVID-19 pandemic had a disruptive impact on implementation.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/programmes/hta/NIHR136004

Year Published: 2024

URL for published report: https://www.journalslibrary.nihr.ac.uk/hta/published-articles/KWNH4507

URL for additional information: English

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Full HTA

Country: England, United Kingdom

DOI: 10.3310/KWNH4507

Organisation Name: NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme

Contact Address: NIHR Journals Library, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK

Contact Name: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk

Contact Email: journals.library@nihr.ac.uk