Effects of Exercise Intervention on Sleep Quality and Emotional Problems in College Students With… (NCT07738809) | Clinical Trial Compass
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Effects of Exercise Intervention on Sleep Quality and Emotional Problems in College Students With Depressive Symptoms
China80 participantsStarted 2026-08-01
Plain-language summary
This exploratory randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the immediate and long-term effects of exercise on sleep quality, emotional problems, executive function, and neurophysiological characteristics in college students with depressive symptoms. The study consists of two sequential phases: an acute exercise experiment followed by an 8-week exercise intervention. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an exercise intervention group or a control group. Psychological questionnaires, behavioral tasks, resting-state electroencephalography (EEG), brain functional connectivity, and event-related potentials (ERP) will be assessed to evaluate behavioral and neurophysiological changes before and after exercise. The study will further examine whether the immediate response to acute exercise predicts the effectiveness of the long-term intervention.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 23 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* • Aged 18-23 years.
* Right-handed.
* Non-physical education major.
* No history of psychiatric disorders and no current or previous use of psychotropic medications, hypnotics, or other medications affecting the central nervous system.
* No history of traumatic brain injury or chronic physical diseases.
* No contraindications to physical exercise.
* Participants with a Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) score \>13 will be classified as having depressive symptoms, whereas participants with a BDI-II score ≤13 will be classified as having no depressive symptoms.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Vigorous physical exercise, alcohol consumption, caffeine intake, or other stimulating behaviors within 24 hours before testing.
* Withdrawal from the study before completion of EEG recording or behavioral task assessments.
* Participants will be excluded from the final analysis if they fail to complete the required questionnaires or if the collected data do not meet predefined quality control criteria.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Depressive symptoms measured by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II)
Timeframe: Baseline, immediately after the acute exercise session, and after completion of the 8-week intervention.
2
Sleep quality measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Timeframe: Baseline, immediately after the acute exercise session, and after completion of the 8-week intervention.
3
Resting-state EEG functional connectivity
Timeframe: Baseline, immediately after the acute exercise session, and after completion of the 8-week intervention.
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07738809
SponsorCapital University of Physical Education and Sports, China