Energetic activity for depression in young people aged 13-17 years: the READY feasibility RCT

Abstract

Background: Prevalence of depression is increasing in young people (YP). Behaviour change interventions providing benefits equal to or greater than talking therapies or pharmacological alternatives are needed. Exercise could be beneficial for YP with depression, but we lack robust, trials of effectiveness. Objective(s): Test whether an exercise intervention targeting YP with depression is feasible, including recruitment and retention of YP, recruitment and training of exercise professionals and intervention delivery. Design: Three-arm cluster feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) with embedded process evaluation and health economic data collection. Setting: Local community venues in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Norfolk. Participants: 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 (CDI 2)) identified by mental health services, schools or by self-referral. Interventions: Participants were rand