Impact of Gender Difference and Exercise Intensities on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among University Students
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: The high intensity interval training, The study moderate continuous training.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Depression, Anxiety, University Students, Gender. Basic parameters: 18 years — 25 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Egypt
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
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.
Interventions
- Other The high intensity interval training
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. - Other The study moderate continuous training
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
Primary outcome measures
- assessment of the severity of depressive symptoms [Time frame: at baseline and after 6 weeks]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- 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]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- 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.
Exclusion criteria
- 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.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Egypt · 1 center
- out-patient clinic, faculty of physical therapy, Horus university — Damietta
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07139249 · Aya-Phd