Major Depressive DisorderNCT01263730
Tai Chi Training for Treating Depressed Chinese Americans
A study testing Tai Chi in people with Major Depressive Disorder, run by Massachusetts General Hospital at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of this research is to evaluate whether Tai Chi merits further investigation as a non-pharmacological therapy in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Specifically, this waitlist-controlled study will gather preliminary data evaluating the effectiveness of Tai Chi training as treatment for… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Major Depressive Disorder
- What is being tested?
- Tai Chi
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 38 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Feb 2008to Aug 2010
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
General Inclusion criteria
- Men and women between the ages of 18 and 65 years;
- Satisfy DSM-IV criteria for current Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), or have a history of MDD, prior to the initiation of Tai Chi treatment, as determined by the SCID interview;
- Have not had Tai Chi treatment training and have not started other forms of mind/body intervention in the past 3 months.
General Exclusion criteria
- Patients with primary diagnosis other than MDD and/or do not have a history of MDD;
- Conditions that may make it difficult to conclusively determine that depressive symptoms are the result of MDD or having a history of MDD and not some other condition, including any form of substance abuse or dependence within the last 6 months, relevant medical conditions that may be the medical basis of a depression including epilepsy, history of an abnormal EEG, severe head trauma, or stroke;
- Medical conditions that would preclude entry into a clinical trial, including serious uncontrolled medical conditions (e.g. poorly controlled diabetes, severe congestive heart failure), or other medical conditions that have not been stable for a minimum of 3 months);
- Confounding treatments, such as current ongoing treatment other than what is provided by South Cove for depression; plans to receive confounding treatments.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
The goal of this research is to evaluate whether Tai Chi merits further investigation as a non-pharmacological therapy in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Specifically, this waitlist-controlled study will gather preliminary data evaluating the effectiveness of Tai Chi training as treatment for patients with MDD or a history of MDD, including patients who continue to be depressed despite taking antidepressants and patients who choose not to take antidepressants due to fear of side effects and/or for personal reasons. To test this hypothesis the investigators will compare physical and psychological parameters of a control group and an intervention group, at baseline (Week 0), at the midpoint (Week 6), and at the end of 12 weeks of Tai Chi training.
Read the detailed description
When a first line treatment for depression fails, clinicians often choose to increase the dosage, or augment with a second agent, prior to considering switching agents altogether (Rosenbaum et al, 1995). Combination of an SSRI/SNRI with other agents such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or lithium are examples of popular strategies (Fava et al, 1994). In many instances, augmentation with multiple psychotropic agents may not be desirable, because of risk of side effects or drug-drug interactions.
In view of their benign adverse effect profiles, non-pharmacological interventions such as psychotherapy and mind-body intervention have been used to augment treatment for treatment resistant depressed patients. Preliminary studies have shown that meditation is beneficial for the treatment of depression (Smith et al., 2007; Sephton et al., 2007; Finucane and Mercer, 2006; Astin et al., 2003; Speca et al., 2000).
Tai Chi training consists of a sequence of slow, soft, and graceful movements derived from the martial arts. It is considered as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. Tai Chi has been considered as one form of oriental healing arts, like acupuncture, which fosters the circulation of this 'chi' or energy within the body. By doing so, the health and vitality of the person are enhanced. Tai Chi, with its slow movement synchronized to the person's breathing, has been known to lead to a calm and tranquil mind when the person is focused on the precise execution of these exercises.
- Conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Being tested
- Tai Chi
- Medical subject headings
- Depressive Disorder, Major
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Tai ChiBehavioural
Tai Chi training consists of a sequence of slow, soft, and graceful movements derived from the martial arts. It is considered as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. Tai Chi has been considered as one form of oriental healing arts, like acupuncture, which fosters the circulation of this 'chi' or energy within the body.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Tai Chi Training | Active comparator | The active group will be given 12 weeks of tai chi training Receives: Behavioral: Tai Chi |
| Waitlist control group | No intervention | There is a waitlist control group that will receive the training following a 12 week no treatment period of time |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Depressive Symptoms
We will be looking for a decrease in depressive symptoms at the mid- (week 6) and post- (week 12) time point following Tai Chi training as compared to the baseline (week 0).
Measured: 12 weeks of Tai Chi Training
Secondary outcomes (1)
Psychological questionnaires, specifically the Quality of Life Enjoyment questionnaire.
We will compare psychometric questionnaire results pre-(wk 0), mid- (wk 6), and post- (wk 12) Tai Chi training. The questionnaires administered include the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Clinical Global Inventory, Patient Health Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction, Expectations Tai Chi training on depression, International Physical Activity, and Mimet's Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support.
Measured: 12 weeks of Tai Chi Training
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Dec 2010 (estimated)
- Study startFeb 2008
- Primary completionAug 2010
- Study completionAug 2010
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Major Depressive DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Massachusetts General HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Albert Yeung, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Investigators
- Albert Yeung, MD, Principal investigator, Massachusetts General HospitalJohn W. Denninger, MD, Study director, Massachusetts General HospitalHerbert Benson, MD, Study director, Massachusetts General HospitalGregory Fricchione, MD, Study director, Massachusetts General Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01263730
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2008P000262
- Status last verified
- Apr 2012
- First submitted
- 6 Dec 2010
- Last updated
- 19 Apr 2012
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 19 Apr 2012. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Tai Chi Training for Treating Depressed Chinese Americans
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01263730
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2008P000262
- Conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Massachusetts General HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Study start
- Feb 2008
- Primary completion
- Aug 2010 (actual)
- Study completion
- Aug 2010 (actual)
- First posted
- 21 Dec 2010 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this research is to evaluate whether Tai Chi merits further investigation as a non-pharmacological therapy in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Specifically, this waitlist-controlled study will gather preliminary data evaluating the effectiveness of Tai Chi training as treatment for patients with MDD or a history of MDD, including patients who continue to be depressed despite taking antidepressants and patients who choose not to take antidepressants due to fear of side effects and/or for personal reasons. To test this hypothesis the investigators will compare physical and psychological parameters of a control group and an intervention group, at baseline (Week 0), at the midpoint (Week 6), and at the end of 12 weeks of Tai Chi training.
Detailed description
When a first line treatment for depression fails, clinicians often choose to increase the dosage, or augment with a second agent, prior to considering switching agents altogether (Rosenbaum et al, 1995). Combination of an SSRI/SNRI with other agents such as tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) or lithium are examples of popular strategies (Fava et al, 1994). In many instances, augmentation with multiple psychotropic agents may not be desirable, because of risk of side effects or drug-drug interactions.
In view of their benign adverse effect profiles, non-pharmacological interventions such as psychotherapy and mind-body intervention have been used to augment treatment for treatment resistant depressed patients. Preliminary studies have shown that meditation is beneficial for the treatment of depression (Smith et al., 2007; Sephton et al., 2007; Finucane and Mercer, 2006; Astin et al., 2003; Speca et al., 2000).
Tai Chi training consists of a sequence of slow, soft, and graceful movements derived from the martial arts. It is considered as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. Tai Chi has been considered as one form of oriental healing arts, like acupuncture, which fosters the circulation of this 'chi' or energy within the body. By doing so, the health and vitality of the person are enhanced. Tai Chi, with its slow movement synchronized to the person's breathing, has been known to lead to a calm and tranquil mind when the person is focused on the precise execution of these exercises.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Tai Chi Training | Active comparator | Behavioral: Tai ChiThe active group will be given 12 weeks of tai chi training |
| Waitlist control group | No intervention | –There is a waitlist control group that will receive the training following a 12 week no treatment period of time |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Tai ChiTai Chi training consists of a sequence of slow, soft, and graceful movements derived from the martial arts. It is considered as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. Tai Chi has been considered as one form of oriental healing arts, like acupuncture, which fosters the circulation of this 'chi' or energy within the body. | Behavioural | Tai Chi Training |
Primary outcome
Depressive Symptoms
Time frame: 12 weeks of Tai Chi Training
We will be looking for a decrease in depressive symptoms at the mid- (week 6) and post- (week 12) time point following Tai Chi training as compared to the baseline (week 0).
1 secondary outcome
Psychological questionnaires, specifically the Quality of Life Enjoyment questionnaire.
Time frame: 12 weeks of Tai Chi Training
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 19 Apr 2012.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Albert Yeung, MD principal investigator
Massachusetts General Hospital
John W. Denninger, MD study director
Massachusetts General Hospital
Herbert Benson, MD study director
Massachusetts General Hospital
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Tai Chi in people with Major Depressive Disorder, run by Massachusetts General Hospital at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 19 Apr 2012. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Depressive Symptoms (time frame: 12 weeks of Tai Chi Training). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 19 Apr 2012.