Before medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or before certain therapy methods are widely accepted as effective, they are tested on people who volunteer to participate in a clinical trial.

Organizations across the country are looking for people like you to take part in their research studies. The list of studies below have been selected from ClinicalTrials.gov based on their inclusion of one or more of the following terms: anxiety disorders, depression, OCD, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) is supportive of research that is conducted through clinical trials. Participating in research can potentially help change the mental health outcomes for you and others who suffer anxiety, depression, and related disorders. You may learn about new interventions/treatments that are being considered.

Read this ADAA blog about things to know and questions to ask before committing to a clinical trial.

This website page is brought to you in partnership with ResearchMatch.


847 matching studies

Sponsor Condition of Interest
Search for Novel Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) Targets for Mental Illness
Brigham and Women's Hospital Major Depressive Disorder Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Schizophrenia Generalized Anxiety Disorder Mood Disorders
Participants will receive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) at a random location in the left prefrontal cortex, excluding sites that are potentially unsafe. Extensive behavioral testing will be conducted to determine which behaviors are modulated by stimulating which circuits. expand

Participants will receive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) at a random location in the left prefrontal cortex, excluding sites that are potentially unsafe. Extensive behavioral testing will be conducted to determine which behaviors are modulated by stimulating which circuits.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2025

open study

Combined Neuromodulation and Cognitive Training for Post-mTBI Depression
University of California, San Diego Depression Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Concussion, Brain
The primary goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether Personalized Augmented Cognitive Training (PACT) plus intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is effective for treating depression in Service Members, Veterans, and civilians who have sustained a mild TBI. Participants will receive1 expand

The primary goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether Personalized Augmented Cognitive Training (PACT) plus intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) is effective for treating depression in Service Members, Veterans, and civilians who have sustained a mild TBI. Participants will receive PACT plus 20 sessions of iTBS or sham iTBS over 4 weeks. Assessments will occur at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. Researchers will compare the PACT+iTBS group to the PACT+sham iTBS group to see if PACT+iTBS is associated with more depression improvement.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2023

open study

Determining Efficacy and Safety of BXCL501 in Agitation Associated With Pediatric Schizophrenia and1
BioXcel Therapeutics Inc Schizophrenia Schizo-Affective Disorder Schizophreniform; Schizophrenic Bipolar Disorder I Bipolar Disorder II
This is a study of the efficacy and safety of BXCL501 in children and adolescents with acute agitation and either bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. expand

This is a study of the efficacy and safety of BXCL501 in children and adolescents with acute agitation and either bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2021

open study

Virtual Reality and Olfactory Stimuli Multimodal Intervention to Reduce Post-Operative Pain and Anx1
Massachusetts General Hospital Postoperative Pain Anxiety Postoperative Opioid Use
Patients who undergo cardiothoracic surgery often experience pain and anxiety around the time of surgery. Currently, treatments for pain and anxiety around the time of surgery include opioids and benzodiazepines, which can have severe side effects and can be ineffective. Interventions combining vir1 expand

Patients who undergo cardiothoracic surgery often experience pain and anxiety around the time of surgery. Currently, treatments for pain and anxiety around the time of surgery include opioids and benzodiazepines, which can have severe side effects and can be ineffective. Interventions combining virtual reality with olfactory stimuli are a promising alternative to opioids and benzodiazepines in the treatment of pain and anxiety around the time of surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a virtual reality and olfactory stimuli multimodal intervention in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery. In addition, the investigators will evaluate the preliminary effects of the VR/OS intervention on patient pain and anxiety before and after cardiothoracic surgery. Patients who meet study inclusion criteria and are undergoing cardiothoracic surgery may participate in this study. Patients have an equal being assigned to undergo the virtual reality and olfactory stimuli intervention or continue getting usual medical care with their doctor. If the patient is assigned to receive the virtual reality and olfactory stimuli intervention, the first therapy session will take place approximately two to four weeks before surgery. This will involve wearing a virtual reality headset and scented necklace for approximately 10 minutes. The second session will occur 90 minutes before the surgery. Additionally, for each day the patient recovers in the hospital after surgery, the patient will receive one session in the afternoon. During the patient's in-hospital recovery at night, they will receive lavender scented therapy.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2022

open study

Impact of Transcutaneous Vagal Nerve Stimulation on Stress Response in Major Depression
Massachusetts General Hospital Major Depressive Disorder
This study will identify the sex-dependent impact of expiratory-gated transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) on the modulation of the stress response circuitry and associated physiology in major depressive disorder (MDD). We will evaluate a sample of 80 adults with recurrent MDD randomized t1 expand

This study will identify the sex-dependent impact of expiratory-gated transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) on the modulation of the stress response circuitry and associated physiology in major depressive disorder (MDD). We will evaluate a sample of 80 adults with recurrent MDD randomized to receive active or sham expiratory-gated tVNS during a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) session, with simultaneous mood and physiological assessments. We hypothesize that expiratory-gated tVNS will effectively modulate, in a sex-dependent manner, specific brainstem-cortical pathways of the stress circuitry and attenuate physiological deficits in MDD.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2021

open study

Measurement-Based Care (MBC) Implementation, Effectiveness, and Mechanisms of Change
Carilion Clinic Depressive Disorder Anxiety Disorders
Although measurement-based care (MBC) is an evidence-based practice with known benefits, it is not always systematically implemented with fidelity. Questions remain regarding MBC's unique added value compared to usual care. Thus, the goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the implementation1 expand

Although measurement-based care (MBC) is an evidence-based practice with known benefits, it is not always systematically implemented with fidelity. Questions remain regarding MBC's unique added value compared to usual care. Thus, the goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the implementation outcome, effectiveness, and mechanisms of change of measurement-based care in adult behavioral health. This study implemented MBC in adult ambulatory behavioral health and will test outcomes using a pragmatic randomized control trial within the RE-AIM (Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework. Researchers will compare three groups: 1) the Measurement-based care group, 2) the treatment-as-usual group, and 3) the waitlist control group. Participants will participate in weekly individual psychotherapy sessions for 12 sessions in total.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2023

open study

Theta Burst Stimulation for Refractory Depression in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati ASD Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism Depression - Major Depressive Disorder MDD
Evaluate the efficacy of accelerated theta burst stimulation (aTBS) in reducing depressive symptoms in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) expand

Evaluate the efficacy of accelerated theta burst stimulation (aTBS) in reducing depressive symptoms in autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

Adolescent Mood During Puberty and Testosterone
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Adolescent Depression
Starting at puberty, female adolescents are nearly three-times more likely to develop internalizing disorders, like depression, while male adolescents are two-times more likely to develop externalizing disorders, like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This divergence between the sexe1 expand

Starting at puberty, female adolescents are nearly three-times more likely to develop internalizing disorders, like depression, while male adolescents are two-times more likely to develop externalizing disorders, like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This divergence between the sexes during puberty suggests sex-specific pathways of risk and differential effects of sex hormones. The purpose of this research is to determine: 1) sex-specific neural and endocrine features of the pubertal transition that may mediate sex differences in adolescent mood disorders, and 2) the neurophysiological basis of susceptibility to hormone change during puberty.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2023

open study

Standardized Yoga & Meditation Program for Stress Reduction for Adolescents With Irritable Bowel Sy1
The Cooper Health System Irritable Bowel Syndrome Anxiety Quality of Life
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common cause of recurrent abdominal pain in children. IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that is linked to motor and sensory physiology, as well as the central nervous system, that presents as abdominal pain with abnormal defecation patterns. Th1 expand

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is the most common cause of recurrent abdominal pain in children. IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that is linked to motor and sensory physiology, as well as the central nervous system, that presents as abdominal pain with abnormal defecation patterns. This discomfort leads to emotional stress, decreased quality of life, and anxiety. The study proposes that yoga and mindfulness will decrease anxiety and increase quality of life for patients with IBS. The aim of this study is to measure the impact of a brief, at-home, 6-week twice per week Standardized Yoga & Meditation Program for Stress Reduction program on anxiety, IBS symptoms, and quality of life in children ages 12-21 diagnosed with IBS.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2020

open study

Attenuating DEPression With Internet CBT to Slow Cognitive Decline in Older ICU Survivors(ADEPT-ICU)
Indiana University Depression Cognitive Decline
Depression affects one-third of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors and represents a potentially modifiable target to slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Our multi-PI team proposes a two-arm RCT called ADEPT-ICU (Attenuating DEPression wit1 expand

Depression affects one-third of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors and represents a potentially modifiable target to slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Our multi-PI team proposes a two-arm RCT called ADEPT-ICU (Attenuating DEPression with Internet CBT to Slow Cognitive Decline in Older ICU Survivors), which will test the efficacy of an internet CBT intervention called Good Days Ahead (GDA) to reduce the burden of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in older ICU survivors with moderate to severe depressive symptoms after ICU hospitalization.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2025

open study

Acute and Long-Term Antidepressant Treatment Success in Adolescents With Anxiety (AtLAS-A)
University of Cincinnati Anxiety Depressive Symptoms
Acute, double-blind, adaptively randomized treatment with duloxetine or escitalopram, followed by open-label naturalistic follow-up. expand

Acute, double-blind, adaptively randomized treatment with duloxetine or escitalopram, followed by open-label naturalistic follow-up.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2020

open study

Development Of a Virtual Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) Platform and Mobile Health App
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston PTSD Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders Traumatic Brain Injury
The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility and utility of SIT delivered asynchronously (self-paced) via fully virtual platform with and without the aid of a mobile health application and to determine initial change over baseline in terms of reduction in PTSD symptoms and improvemen1 expand

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility and utility of SIT delivered asynchronously (self-paced) via fully virtual platform with and without the aid of a mobile health application and to determine initial change over baseline in terms of reduction in PTSD symptoms and improvement in resiliency in participants receiving the virtual SIT prototype, using Linear Mixed Models (LMMs),

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2024

open study

iExposure Intervention for Social Anxiety
Palo Alto University Social Anxiety
Social anxiety (SA) is a highly prevalent mental health concern, thought to disproportionately affect youth with recent international estimates of more than 30% of individuals reporting clinically elevated symptoms. Despite the prevalence of SA, as few as one in five individuals receive care, due t1 expand

Social anxiety (SA) is a highly prevalent mental health concern, thought to disproportionately affect youth with recent international estimates of more than 30% of individuals reporting clinically elevated symptoms. Despite the prevalence of SA, as few as one in five individuals receive care, due to limited access to evidence-based treatments. Additionally there has been a notable increase in social anxiety since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This proposal will use iExposure to develop a personalized mechanism-focused approach to optimizing treatment response for individuals with social anxiety by testing standard iExposure against two augmentations that incorporate distinct attention mechanisms (attention guidance and attention control).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2024

open study

Regulation of Affect and Physiology in Depression
University of Southern California Major Depressive Disorder
Although treatments for depression are effective for many people, not everyone responds to treatment. This lack of treatment response could be due, in part, to the presence of multiple underlying causes of people's depression. This study aims to identify subtypes of depression, based on two factors1 expand

Although treatments for depression are effective for many people, not everyone responds to treatment. This lack of treatment response could be due, in part, to the presence of multiple underlying causes of people's depression. This study aims to identify subtypes of depression, based on two factors: how successful people perceive themselves to be at regulating their affect in everyday life; and how much activity in the parasympathetic nervous system increases during moments when people try to regulate. The study involves ambulatory assessment of affect, regulation strategies, and physiological activity in everyday life, in a sample of young adults with remitted major depressive disorder and healthy volunteers. We will study regulation responses in the lab to further determine how subtypes differ in neural, physiological, and behavioral responses. Finally, participants will be randomly assigned to a remote, self-administered biofeedback intervention (vs. control intervention) designed to increase parasympathetic activity and physiological regulation success. While engaging in biofeedback at home for 10 days, participants will simultaneously repeat the ambulatory assessments. This design will allow us to determine the proximal impact of biofeedback on indices of regulation success in everyday life, and whether biofeedback has differential impact on regulation success for different subtypes.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2024

open study

Evaluation of the H.O.O.V.E.S. Healing Intensives Program
VA Salt Lake City Health Care System Anxiety PTSD Depression
The aim of this study is to measure the impact of these H.O.O.V.E.S. healing intensives on Veteran participants using several psychological instruments. The investigators are planning to administer the demographic questionnaires and psychological instruments to Veteran participants before the heali1 expand

The aim of this study is to measure the impact of these H.O.O.V.E.S. healing intensives on Veteran participants using several psychological instruments. The investigators are planning to administer the demographic questionnaires and psychological instruments to Veteran participants before the healing intensives. Psychological instruments will be administered immediately pre-intervention, pre- and post-session for each session, post-intervention, 90, 120 and 360 days post-intervention. The primary aim is to assess for statistically significant changes pre- to post session and pre- to post-intervention.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Apr 2024

open study

Behavioral Exposure for Introceptive Tolerance RCT
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Exercise Sensitivity Introceptive Exposure Anxiety Cardiac Rehabilitation
Behavioral Exposure for Interoceptive Tolerance (BE-FIT) is a mechanism-informed behavioral intervention to target exercise anxiety. The three primary components of BE-FIT include: (1) exposure to feared bodily sensations and exercise; (2) prevention of safety behavior use before/during/after exerc1 expand

Behavioral Exposure for Interoceptive Tolerance (BE-FIT) is a mechanism-informed behavioral intervention to target exercise anxiety. The three primary components of BE-FIT include: (1) exposure to feared bodily sensations and exercise; (2) prevention of safety behavior use before/during/after exercise, and (3) use of a wrist-worn activity monitor for physical activity (PA) feedback and activity goal setting. Evidence from the investigators' Stage I trial indicated that BE-FIT is feasible, acceptable, and safe and produced reductions in exercise anxiety and increased exercise outcomes (short-term moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity and steps/day). The investigators' present aim is to conduct a Stage II randomized-controlled trial to further evaluate the efficacy of BE-FIT in decreasing exercise anxiety in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) patients and examine whether changes in this target yield successive changes in exercise adherence outcomes.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2022

open study

Cardiac Markers in Depressed Patients With Coronary Heart Disease - R01HL147862
Washington University School of Medicine Coronary Heart Disease Depression
Depression doubles the risk of death in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), but so far, there is insufficient evidence that we can reduce the risk of death by treating depression. This study will investigate the cardiac risk markers that are associated with depression symptoms that remain d1 expand

Depression doubles the risk of death in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), but so far, there is insufficient evidence that we can reduce the risk of death by treating depression. This study will investigate the cardiac risk markers that are associated with depression symptoms that remain despite treatment, and identify potential targets for their treatment. The results of the study will inform the development of more effective interventions to improve both depression and survival in patients with CHD.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Dec 2020

open study

Improving Adult Protective Services Client Outcomes: A Stepped-Care Social and Mental Health Engage1
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Depression in Old Age
The purpose of this study is to ascertain the feasibility and effectiveness of an 8-week social engagement program aimed at reducing depression and increasing social engagement among seniors who are transitioning out of Adult Protective Services (APS) for either elder abuse or self-neglect. expand

The purpose of this study is to ascertain the feasibility and effectiveness of an 8-week social engagement program aimed at reducing depression and increasing social engagement among seniors who are transitioning out of Adult Protective Services (APS) for either elder abuse or self-neglect.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2023

open study

Mindful Waiting Room
University of Utah Anxiety State Depressive State Pain Nausea Fatigue
This will be a single-site, five-arm, parallel group randomized control trial involving patients seeking integrative healthcare. Four different styles of 5-minute, audio-recoded mindfulness practices delivered in the clinic waiting room will be compared with a 5-minute audio-recording about integra1 expand

This will be a single-site, five-arm, parallel group randomized control trial involving patients seeking integrative healthcare. Four different styles of 5-minute, audio-recoded mindfulness practices delivered in the clinic waiting room will be compared with a 5-minute audio-recording about integrative healthcare. A secondary sub-analysis will investigate the most effective mindfulness practice style for patients presenting at the clinic with elevated anxiety, depression, or pain.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2022

open study

Triage Survey for Psychiatry Research Eligibility
Adams Clinical Major Depressive Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorder
TRIAGE-Psych is a survey study designed to assess potential participants' eligibility to screen for industry-sponsored psychiatry clinical trials. expand

TRIAGE-Psych is a survey study designed to assess potential participants' eligibility to screen for industry-sponsored psychiatry clinical trials.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Dec 2021

open study

VR to Reduce Pain/Anxiety During Painful Procedures
Children's Hospital Los Angeles Phlebotomy Orthopedics Radiology Pain Anxiety
This study aims to test the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) as a non-pharmaceutical intervention to reduce pain and anxiety in children undergoing painful procedures in Phlebotomy, Radiology, Infusion, Orthopedics, Gastroenterology, and Immunology, amongst others, at CHLA, as measured by self1 expand

This study aims to test the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) as a non-pharmaceutical intervention to reduce pain and anxiety in children undergoing painful procedures in Phlebotomy, Radiology, Infusion, Orthopedics, Gastroenterology, and Immunology, amongst others, at CHLA, as measured by self- and proxy-report. Examples of the painful procedures include IV sticks, cast removals, allergy testing, and anorectal manometries.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2016

open study

Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Pulsation (LIFUP) for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorde1
University of California, Los Angeles Generalized Anxiety Disorder
There are few treatment options available for patients once they have failed standard psychopharmacological therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Existing brain stimulation methods such as rTMS fail to target deep brain structures associated with anxiety disorders; structures such as the amygda1 expand

There are few treatment options available for patients once they have failed standard psychopharmacological therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. Existing brain stimulation methods such as rTMS fail to target deep brain structures associated with anxiety disorders; structures such as the amygdala. In this double-blind sham-controlled clinical trial, the investigators propose to establish baseline severity of anxiety in 48 patients, then deliver eight treatments over four sessions of focused ultrasound stimulation to the amygdala. Anxiety severity will be assessed using standard psychometric scales after each session, and at follow-ups.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2021

open study

Depression and Driving
Ganesh Babulal Depression Drive
This project will assess how depression, preclinical AD, and antidepressants affect driving behavior in cognitively normal older adults (65 years). expand

This project will assess how depression, preclinical AD, and antidepressants affect driving behavior in cognitively normal older adults (65 years).

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jun 2021

open study

In-person vs. Virtual Delivery of a Group-based Prevention of Postpartum Depression
University of Denver Postpartum Depression
The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether an established preventive intervention (group interpersonal therapy) delivered virtually shows the same benefits for preventing postpartum depression as it does when delivered in person. expand

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether an established preventive intervention (group interpersonal therapy) delivered virtually shows the same benefits for preventing postpartum depression as it does when delivered in person.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2023

open study

AIMS Medical Outcomes Study
Advanced Integrative Medical Science Institute Mental Health Issue PTSD Pain Chronic Pain Chronic Disease
This epidemiologic research is being conducted as an observational prospective case series outcomes study of the use of advanced integrative specialty medical care and its effect on adult and pediatric patients with chronic or serious illnesses or mental health disorders. expand

This epidemiologic research is being conducted as an observational prospective case series outcomes study of the use of advanced integrative specialty medical care and its effect on adult and pediatric patients with chronic or serious illnesses or mental health disorders.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jul 2020

open study