RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07059234

The Motor Activity - Subjective Energy (MASE) Project

The Motor Activity - Subjective Energy (MASE) Project: Neurobiological and Digital Phenotyping Towards Digital Mental Health Interventions in Depression

Sponsor

University of Bern

Enrollment

180 participants

Start Date

Sep 2, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Depressive Disorder, Major

Summary

This approach utilizes accelerometry to measure NEA and electronic diaries for real-time psychological assessments, overcoming limitations of traditional methods such as retrospective bias and low ecological validity. Brief episodes of physical activity in daily life, which are distinctly different from structured exercise sessions, are generally linked to improved affective well-being. Notably, feelings of energy are particularly associated with incidental, unstructured, and non-exercise activities. Clinically, psychomotor retardation and diminished mood are key diagnostic features of MDD, with evidence suggesting that lower motor activity differentiates MDD patients from controls and that increased activity correlates with treatment response. In this context, the MASE project aims to design personalized BA interventions that focus on increasing NEA and, in turn, enhancing subjective energy levels to reduce depressive symptoms and prevent relapse.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 60 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study (the MASE Project) is investigating the relationship between physical activity levels and subjective energy (how energetic a person feels) in people with major depressive disorder (MDD) — both those currently depressed and those in remission. The goal is to better understand how movement affects energy and mood. **You may be eligible if...** - You are fluent in German - You have a current diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) with a score above 15 on a standard depression rating scale, OR - You are in remission from MDD with a low score on the depression scale for at least one month - You are willing to provide written informed consent **You may NOT be eligible if...** - You have other serious psychiatric diagnoses (e.g., psychosis, bipolar disorder) - You have significant physical health conditions that limit activity - You are currently hospitalized - You are under 18 years of age Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALNon-exercise activity

The 5-week intervention to assess the effects of non-exercise activity on the activity-subjective energy association incorporates two high-intensity Ambulatory Assessment (AA) weeks at the beginning and end, with a tapered 3-week Ecological Momentary Intervention (EMI) phase in between. Momentary targeted micro interventions (JITAIs) with a Within-Person-Encouragement Design (WPED) are used to tailor the activity to the individual situation and phenotype of each participant.