DepressionNCT07139249
Impact of Gender Difference and Exercise Intensities on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among University Students
A study testing The high intensity interval training and The study moderate continuous training in people with Depression and Anxiety, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
This study was done to investigate the impact of gender differences and exercise intensities on depression and anxiety symptoms among university students Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Depression, Anxiety, University Students
- What is being tested?
- The high intensity interval training and The study moderate continuous training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 84 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 20 Aug 2025to 1 Feb 2026
- 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 25 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Being a student in higher education
- Being single
- Age between 18 and 25 years of both sexes
- Accepting the principle of randomization in the trial.
- The body mass index is 18.5-24.9 kg/m².
- Diagnosed by psychiatrist as having a mild to moderate degree of anxiety and depression.
- Having scores of 7-24 on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.
- Having scores of 17-30 on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale.
Who cannot join
- Neurological history such as illness or head trauma
- Present severe and unstable respiratory disease
- History of heart defect or cardiovascular disease or any other medical conditions prohibiting high-intensity sport or physical activity
- Being professional athlete.
- Involved in regular routine of exercises
- Taking medication for mental health history of any neurological disorders like neuropathy or seizures.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Egypt1 site
out-patient clinic, faculty of physical therapy, Horus university
Damietta
About this study
This study was done to investigate the impact of gender differences and exercise intensities on depression and anxiety symptoms among university students
Read the detailed description
Depression among university students is a growing concern due to factors such as separation from family, transition to a performance-based environment, financial stressors, and uncertainty about postgraduation. An estimated 71% of Egyptian university students have at least minor depression. Depression is associated with lower academic performance and can lead to substance abuse, chronic conditions, and premature mortality. Despite the availability of effective treatment, only one in five university students receives minimally adequate treatment. Physical exercise is suggested as an affordable, low-cost, non-pharmacological treatment for depression and anxiety. Exercise can effectively relieve anxiety symptoms, and a study will evaluate depression and anxiety symptoms based on gender and exercise intensity among university students.
- Conditions
- Depression, Anxiety, University Students, Gender, Exercise Intensity
- Being tested
- The high intensity interval training, The study moderate continuous training
- Medical subject headings
- Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Coitus
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
The high intensity interval trainingOther
The training program for students in groups 1 and 2 involves high intensity interval training exercises, conducted three times per week for six weeks. The sessions include a 10-minute warm-up at 40% Heart Rate Reserve, four high-intensity work periods at 85-95% Heart Rate Reserve, three low-intensity work periods at 60-70% Heart Rate Reserve, and a 5- 10 minute cool down at 30% Heart Rate Reserve.
The study moderate continuous trainingOther
All students in groups 3\&4 will receive moderate continuous training 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Each session 40 to 50 minutes included a 5 to 10 minute warm-up, fo followed by 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise (treadmill walking exercise) with constant intensity at 60% to 70% Heart Rate Reserve and 5 to 10 minutes cool-down
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| females with high intensity interval training | Experimental | It will consist of 14 female students; they will be receiving high intensity interval training. Receives: Other: The high intensity interval training |
| males with high intensity interval training | Active comparator | It will consist of 14 male students; they will be receiving high intensity interval training. Receives: Other: The high intensity interval training |
| females with moderate intensity continuous training. | Experimental | It will consist of 14 female students; they will be receiving moderate intensity continuous training Receives: Other: The study moderate continuous training |
| males with moderate intensity continuous training. | Active comparator | It will consist of 14 male students; they will be receiving moderate intensity continuous training Receives: Other: The study moderate continuous training |
| The non-exercise females group | No intervention | It will consist of 14 female students; they will remain sedentary for the six-weeks intervention period. |
| The non-exercise males group | No intervention | It will consist of 14 male students; they will remain sedentary for the six-weeks intervention period |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
assessment of the severity of depressive symptoms
The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression will be used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms in students across six groups. The 17-item version ranges from 0 to 54, with scores ranging from 0 to 24. Scores between 0 and 6 indicate no depression, while scores between 7 and 17 indicate mild, 18-24 indicate moderate, and 24+ over 24 indicate severe depression. A decrease in scores of at least 50% indicates response, and scores of 7 or less after treatment indicate remission. The 17-item version has adequate reliability and validity.
Measured: at baseline and after 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (3)
assessment of severity of perceived anxiety symptoms
The Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety is a tool used to assess the severity of perceived anxiety symptoms. It consists of 14 symptom-defined elements, scoring from 0 to 4 (severe). The score range is 0 to 56, with scores above 17/56 indicating mild anxiety, 25-30 indicating moderate anxiety, and >30 indicating severe anxiety. It has good psychometric properties.
Measured: at baseline and after 6 weeks
assessment of physical fitness
The Harvard Step Test is a physical fitness index that measures an individual's ability to recover from muscular work and perform muscular tasks. It is performed on a 33 cm bench at 30 steps per minute, with heart rate measured every two seconds. The test is valid for estimating the cardiorespiratory fitness of college students and can be divided into three categories: excellent, good, average, and poor. The physical efficiency index rating ranges from 96 to 115, with the highest rating being excellent for males and the lowest being poor. The test is a reliable tool for assessing physical fitness.
Measured: at baseline and after 6 weeks
assessment of heart rate during exercise
A pulse oximeter will be used to continuously monitor heart rate during exercise, ensuring the target heart rate (THR) remains within the pre-calculated value. The heart rate will be measured and monitored for all participants using the Karvonen formula. The process involves cleaning the index finger, placing the pulse oximeter on the index, and keeping the pulse for at least a minute until the reading stabilizes.
Measured: at baseline and after 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Aug 2025
- Study start20 Aug 2025
- Primary completion20 Jan 2026
- Study completion1 Feb 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for DepressionStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 84 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Aya Mohammed Hassan, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07139249
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Aya-Phd
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 27 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 27 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Impact of Gender Difference and Exercise Intensities on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among University Students
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07139249
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Aya-Phd
- Conditions
- Depression, Anxiety, University Students, Gender, Exercise Intensity
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 84 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Feb 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 24 Aug 2025 (actual)
- 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.
This study was done to investigate the impact of gender differences and exercise intensities on depression and anxiety symptoms among university students
Detailed description
Depression among university students is a growing concern due to factors such as separation from family, transition to a performance-based environment, financial stressors, and uncertainty about postgraduation. An estimated 71% of Egyptian university students have at least minor depression. Depression is associated with lower academic performance and can lead to substance abuse, chronic conditions, and premature mortality. Despite the availability of effective treatment, only one in five university students receives minimally adequate treatment. Physical exercise is suggested as an affordable, low-cost, non-pharmacological treatment for depression and anxiety. Exercise can effectively relieve anxiety symptoms, and a study will evaluate depression and anxiety symptoms based on gender and exercise intensity among university students.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 6
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| females with high intensity interval training | Experimental | Other: The high intensity interval trainingIt will consist of 14 female students; they will be receiving high intensity interval training. |
| males with high intensity interval training | Active comparator | Other: The high intensity interval trainingIt will consist of 14 male students; they will be receiving high intensity interval training. |
| females with moderate intensity continuous training. | Experimental | Other: The study moderate continuous trainingIt will consist of 14 female students; they will be receiving moderate intensity continuous training |
| males with moderate intensity continuous training. | Active comparator | Other: The study moderate continuous trainingIt will consist of 14 male students; they will be receiving moderate intensity continuous training |
| The non-exercise females group | No intervention | –It will consist of 14 female students; they will remain sedentary for the six-weeks intervention period. |
| The non-exercise males group | No intervention | –It will consist of 14 male students; they will remain sedentary for the six-weeks intervention period |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Being a student in higher education
- Being single
- Age between 18 and 25 years of both sexes
- Accepting the principle of randomization in the trial.
- The body mass index is 18.5-24.9 kg/m².
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Neurological history such as illness or head trauma
- Present severe and unstable respiratory disease
- History of heart defect or cardiovascular disease or any other medical conditions prohibiting high-intensity sport or physical activity
- Being professional athlete.
- Involved in regular routine of exercises
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 |
|---|---|---|
| The high intensity interval trainingThe training program for students in groups 1 and 2 involves high intensity interval training exercises, conducted three times per week for six weeks. The sessions include a 10-minute warm-up at 40% Heart Rate Reserve, four high-intensity work periods at 85-95% Heart Rate Reserve, three low-intensity work periods at 60-70% Heart Rate Reserve, and a 5- 10 minute cool down at 30% Heart Rate Reserve. | Other | females with high intensity interval training, males with high intensity interval training |
| The study moderate continuous trainingAll students in groups 3\&4 will receive moderate continuous training 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Each session 40 to 50 minutes included a 5 to 10 minute warm-up, fo followed by 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise (treadmill walking exercise) with constant intensity at 60% to 70% Heart Rate Reserve and 5 to 10 minutes cool-down | Other | females with moderate intensity continuous training., males with moderate intensity continuous training. |
Primary outcome
assessment of the severity of depressive symptoms
Time frame: at baseline and after 6 weeks
The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression will be used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms in students across six groups. The 17-item version ranges from 0 to 54, with scores ranging from 0 to 24. Scores between 0 and 6 indicate no depression, while scores between 7 and 17 indicate mild, 18-24 indicate moderate, and 24+ over 24 indicate severe depression. A decrease in scores of at least 50% indicates response, and scores of 7 or less after treatment indicate remission. The 17-item version has adequate reliability and validity.
3 secondary outcomes
assessment of severity of perceived anxiety symptoms
Time frame: at baseline and after 6 weeks
assessment of physical fitness
Time frame: at baseline and after 6 weeks
assessment of heart rate during exercise
Time frame: at baseline and after 6 weeks
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 27 Oct 2026.
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing The high intensity interval training and The study moderate continuous training in people with Depression and Anxiety, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. 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 27 Oct 2026. 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 Egypt. 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?
assessment of the severity of depressive symptoms (time frame: at baseline and after 6 weeks). 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 27 Oct 2026.