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.


835 matching studies

Sponsor Condition of Interest
A Study of Ketamine Infusions to Treat Clinically-depressed ICU Patients
Mayo Clinic Depression
The purpose of this research is to study the effects of intravenous ketamine infusions for the treatment of patients with depressive symptoms in intensive care unit (ICU). expand

The purpose of this research is to study the effects of intravenous ketamine infusions for the treatment of patients with depressive symptoms in intensive care unit (ICU).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2025

open study

A Novel Peer-Delivered Recovery-Focused Suicide Prevention Intervention for Veterans With Serious M1
VA Office of Research and Development Psychotic Disorders Bipolar Disorders Suicidal Ideation Suicide, Attempted
Suicide is a major public health concern, particularly among Veterans with serious mental illness (SMI, i.e., psychotic disorders or bipolar disorders). Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is a well-established evidence-based practice for those with SMI that centers on identifying warning signs of1 expand

Suicide is a major public health concern, particularly among Veterans with serious mental illness (SMI, i.e., psychotic disorders or bipolar disorders). Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) is a well-established evidence-based practice for those with SMI that centers on identifying warning signs of mental illness, developing wellness tools for functional independence, planning for day-to-day effective living within one's community, and building an action plan to create a valued life worth living. This proposed study will refine and pilot SUicide Prevention by Peers Offering Recovery Tactics (SUPPORT), a novel integrated recovery program that is an adaptation of peer-delivered WRAP for Veterans with SMI. In SUPPORT, a Peer Specialist leads a Veteran at increased risk for suicide through recovery planning that is tailored to the Veteran's suicidal experiences with cognitive learning strategies to enhance safety plan recall and improve functioning.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2023

open study

Testing Adaptive Interventions to Improve Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment Outcomes in Feder1
University of Michigan PTSD
This trial is being completed to develop a stepped-care talk therapy model for patients with PTSD. Specifically, this study is testing whether beginning with one type of therapy is better than beginning with another type of therapy, and whether moving to a different therapy after four sessions is m1 expand

This trial is being completed to develop a stepped-care talk therapy model for patients with PTSD. Specifically, this study is testing whether beginning with one type of therapy is better than beginning with another type of therapy, and whether moving to a different therapy after four sessions is more helpful than staying with the same therapy, depending on how well it is working. The central hypothesis is that beginning with a low- or medium-intensity PTSD intervention and then titrating intensity based on early indications of response will result in clinically significant PTSD symptom reduction with parsimony of resources.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2022

open study

Decoding and Modulating Affective Brain States
University of Pennsylvania Rumination Major Depressive Disorder Anxiety
The research study is being conducted to study brain patterns of negative emotion and develop personalized brain stimulation protocols to disrupt these patterns with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). First, the investigators will use functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data to gener1 expand

The research study is being conducted to study brain patterns of negative emotion and develop personalized brain stimulation protocols to disrupt these patterns with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). First, the investigators will use functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data to generate a negative affect map for each participant. Then, the investigators will apply a variety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) sequences while the participant is inside the MRI scanner to determine the optimal and least optimal rTMS frequencies at changing negative affect brain states. Finally, these two frequencies will be tested over two 3-day rTMS neuromodulation sessions to assess whether they can reduce negative emotions.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2023

open study

Mental Health in Primary Care
University of Miami Depression, Anxiety Suicide Drug Use
The goal of this study is to evaluate in an effectiveness-implementation type I hybrid trial, an enhanced version of eHealth Familias Unidas for reducing depressive, anxious symptoms and suicide behavior in Hispanic youth. The study will use a randomized rollout design with 18 pediatric primary car1 expand

The goal of this study is to evaluate in an effectiveness-implementation type I hybrid trial, an enhanced version of eHealth Familias Unidas for reducing depressive, anxious symptoms and suicide behavior in Hispanic youth. The study will use a randomized rollout design with 18 pediatric primary care clinics in the South Florida area.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2022

open study

Treatments for Insomnia in Veterans With PTSD
VA Office of Research and Development Insomnia PTSD
This randomized trial will compare a novel treatment, Acceptance of the Behavioral Changes to Treat Insomnia (ABC-I) to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) among Veterans with comorbid Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and insomnia disorder. ABC-I combines the behavioral component1 expand

This randomized trial will compare a novel treatment, Acceptance of the Behavioral Changes to Treat Insomnia (ABC-I) to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) among Veterans with comorbid Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and insomnia disorder. ABC-I combines the behavioral components of CBT-I with components of another behavioral therapy (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and has been shown to improve treatment adherence. The study objectives are: 1) to evaluate the benefits of ABC-I in reducing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among Veterans with comorbid PTSD and insomnia disorder compared to CBT-I, and 2) to evaluate the effectiveness of ABC-I in improving insomnia symptoms and sleep quality among Veterans with comorbid PTSD and insomnia disorder as compared to CBT-I. Veterans with insomnia and comorbid PTSD who receive care at Sepulveda and West Los Angeles facilities will be recruited for the study. Those who pass an initial eligibility screen will be enrolled and written informed consent will be obtained. A baseline assessment will be completed that includes measures of sleep, PTSD, and quality of life. Veterans who meet all eligibility criteria will be randomly assigned to the ABC-I (n=100) or CBT-I (n=100) treatment. Both treatments will be provided in 5 one-on-one sessions by a trained instructor who is supervised by a behavioral sleep medicine specialist. All randomized participants (n=200) will have 3 follow-up assessments (post-treatment, 3-months, and 6-months after randomization). The follow-up assessments will collect information on PTSD symptoms, insomnia symptoms and sleep quality.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2022

open study

Study of Dextromethorphan in OCD and Related Disorders
Stanford University Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Illness Anxiety Disorder Body Dysmorphic Disorders Somatic Symptom Disorder
The purpose of the study is to assess the tolerability and efficacy of dextromethorphan in combination with fluoxetine for symptom relief in OCD and related disorders. expand

The purpose of the study is to assess the tolerability and efficacy of dextromethorphan in combination with fluoxetine for symptom relief in OCD and related disorders.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2022

open study

Mechanisms of Rumination Change in Adolescent Depression
Ohio State University Major Depressive Disorder Mood Disorders
This study will evaluate whether a newer treatment, rumination-focused cognitive behavioral treatment, which includes mindfulness and can be used to reduce ruminative habits, change ways in which key brain regions interact with each other (e.g.., often called connectivity), and whether these change1 expand

This study will evaluate whether a newer treatment, rumination-focused cognitive behavioral treatment, which includes mindfulness and can be used to reduce ruminative habits, change ways in which key brain regions interact with each other (e.g.., often called connectivity), and whether these changes in habits and brain connectivity can reduce the risk for recurrence of depression in the next two years.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2019

open study

Application of Virtual Reality Technology to Treatment of Social Anxiety
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Autism Spectrum Disorder Social Anxiety Disorder
The purpose of this study is to compare CBT VR exposure + VR social skills treatment to CBT Imaginal exposure + mindfulness, in reducing the severity of social anxiety in adults with autism and social anxiety (SA), to identify characteristics associated with benefitting from the CBT-VR treatment an1 expand

The purpose of this study is to compare CBT VR exposure + VR social skills treatment to CBT Imaginal exposure + mindfulness, in reducing the severity of social anxiety in adults with autism and social anxiety (SA), to identify characteristics associated with benefitting from the CBT-VR treatment and to assess acceptability and feasibility of the VR intervention for patients receiving it and use findings to improve methods and to prepare for a community based pragmatic trial.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2024

open study

Suvorexant for Treatment of AUD and PTSD
Pharmacotherapies for Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders Alliance Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Insomnia
This study is to determine if suvorexant (SUV) will reduce insomnia in 76 men and women veteran and non-veterans between the ages 21-65 with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and alcohol use disorder (AUD). All participants will have a 7-day placebo run-in period, followed by a random a1 expand

This study is to determine if suvorexant (SUV) will reduce insomnia in 76 men and women veteran and non-veterans between the ages 21-65 with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and alcohol use disorder (AUD). All participants will have a 7-day placebo run-in period, followed by a random assignment to receive placebo or suvorexant for an additonal 14 days. Post-randomization, participants will attempt to stop drinking for two weeks and will complete daily virtual diaries and study outcome assessments via in-person clinic visits on days 7 and 14.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2025

open study

A Ketamine-assisted Group Therapy Intervention for Spanish-speaking Adults With Depression
Juliana Zambrano, MD, MPH Depression
This is a pilot clinical trial to assess the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of ketamine-assisted group therapy for Spanish-speaking adults with depression expand

This is a pilot clinical trial to assess the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of ketamine-assisted group therapy for Spanish-speaking adults with depression

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2025

open study

Accelerated rTMS for Substance Use Disorder and Depression
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Stimulant Use Depression
This study is a small open-label feasibility trial of an accelerated course of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for individuals with depression and stimulant use disorder [including methamphetamine or cocaine use disorder (MUD/CUD)]. expand

This study is a small open-label feasibility trial of an accelerated course of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for individuals with depression and stimulant use disorder [including methamphetamine or cocaine use disorder (MUD/CUD)].

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2024

open study

Optimizing Suicide Prevention Strategies for Pediatric Primary Care
University of Pittsburgh Suicidal Ideation Suicidal and Self-injurious Behavior Depression
Increasing rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents must be addressed. The study will adapt and collect preliminary effectiveness data on a digital suicide prevention intervention that can be delivered in pediatric primary care settings by front line pediatricians. The study has t1 expand

Increasing rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents must be addressed. The study will adapt and collect preliminary effectiveness data on a digital suicide prevention intervention that can be delivered in pediatric primary care settings by front line pediatricians. The study has the potential to offer a low-cost and scalable primary care intervention that may decrease risk of suicide among at-risk youth.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2025

open study

Better Sleep Study
University of California, San Francisco Depression in Adolescence Delayed Sleep Phase
The overall aim of this proposal is a confirmatory efficacy trial sufficiently powered and designed to test the hypothesis that improving the relationship between biological circadian timing and waketime, a novel modifiable target, improves depression outcomes in a subgroup of adolescents with depr1 expand

The overall aim of this proposal is a confirmatory efficacy trial sufficiently powered and designed to test the hypothesis that improving the relationship between biological circadian timing and waketime, a novel modifiable target, improves depression outcomes in a subgroup of adolescents with depression and a misaligned relationship between biological circadian timing and waketime utilizing a cognitive-behavioral sleep intervention.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2024

open study

taVNS or TMS or Both for Depression
Medical University of South Carolina Depression
The purpose of the research is to test out a combined treatment for depression where the investigators stimulate a nerve in the ear while at the same time stimulate the brain with magnets. These treatments are called transcutaneous (through the skin) auricular (ear) vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS)1 expand

The purpose of the research is to test out a combined treatment for depression where the investigators stimulate a nerve in the ear while at the same time stimulate the brain with magnets. These treatments are called transcutaneous (through the skin) auricular (ear) vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) and transcranial (through the skull) magnetic stimulation (TMS). For participants who already have a cervical VNS device, the investigators will not change their treatment and will use this in place of the taVNS. The investigators think this combined method might treat depressive symptoms better than either alone. This study is in person at the Institute of Psychiatry in downtown Charleston on the MUSC campus. First, participants will have a screening session and then will have 6 treatment days total where participants will receive either VNS treatment alone, TMS treatment alone, or both at the same time. The treatment that participants start with will be randomized, and they will have 2 treatment days of each combination.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2023

open study

Neural-Derived Plasma Exosomal MicroRNAs As Promising Novel Biomarkers for Suicidality and Treatmen1
University of Alabama at Birmingham Major Depressive Disorder Suicidal Ideas Suicide, Attempted MDD Depression
This study is dedicated to help identify biomarkers for depression and suicide. The purpose of the study is to better understand these links to improve medical and psychiatric care in the future. This research is also to test the effects of standard treatment of depression on improvement in depress1 expand

This study is dedicated to help identify biomarkers for depression and suicide. The purpose of the study is to better understand these links to improve medical and psychiatric care in the future. This research is also to test the effects of standard treatment of depression on improvement in depressive and suicidal behavior and on biomarkers (e.g. miRNA) for these disorders.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2022

open study

Recovery Through Inspiration, Support, and Empowerment
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Suicidal Ideation Suicide Attempt Anxiety Depression Disorders
The goal of this pilot study is to test the effectiveness of a novel intervention for young adults (ages 18-27) with mental health conditions who have been released from an acute care psychiatric facility. The intervention aims to reduce suicidality, depression, anxiety, re-hospitalization, and imp1 expand

The goal of this pilot study is to test the effectiveness of a novel intervention for young adults (ages 18-27) with mental health conditions who have been released from an acute care psychiatric facility. The intervention aims to reduce suicidality, depression, anxiety, re-hospitalization, and improve mental health recovery by using outpatient services. The current standard of care (SOC) for these patients at discharge includes a discharge plan with a list of their medications, anticipated outpatient appointments, and information on when and where to find community resources. The intervention being tested involves the implementation of a mental health recovery education and support program, involving one-on-one and small group meetings led by Peer Support Specialists (PSS) and Recovery Community Organizations (RCO). Participants will be assigned to either Cohort A or B for 8 weeks. Cohort A will be the intervention group with PSS and RCOs. - Weeks 1-4: One-on-one meetings with PSS for education and support. Assessments will be completed at weeks 2 and 4. - Weeks 5 and 7: One-on-one meetings with PSS for education and support. - Week 6 and 8: Group meetings with PSS and other participants from RCOs. Assessments will be completed during these weeks. Cohort B will be the SOC group with no PSS or RCOs. - Weeks 1-4: Weekly check in phone calls with a member of the research team. Assessments will be completed at weeks 2 and 4. - Weeks 5-8: Check in phone calls with a member of the research team every other week. Assessments will be completed at weeks 6 and 8. Data collected from participant assessments, adherence to medication, and re-admittance to a psychiatric facility will be used to compare the intervention to the SOC.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2025

open study

Improving Mood for Adolescents Through Teaming With End-Users in Routine Care (The iMATTER Project)
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Depressive Symptoms
This pilot randomized controlled trial will examine the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of an adolescent depression prevention program, Brief Interpersonal Psychotherapy-Adolescent Skills Training (B-IPT-AST), in primary care. expand

This pilot randomized controlled trial will examine the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of an adolescent depression prevention program, Brief Interpersonal Psychotherapy-Adolescent Skills Training (B-IPT-AST), in primary care.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2025

open study

Shared Decision Making in PTSD Treatment
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD
The purpose of this research study is to learn about how Shared Decision Making, when used to decide treatment, impacts treatment engagement, retention, and outcomes for active duty military personnel seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Shared Decision Making between the se1 expand

The purpose of this research study is to learn about how Shared Decision Making, when used to decide treatment, impacts treatment engagement, retention, and outcomes for active duty military personnel seeking treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Shared Decision Making between the service member and the therapists will be used to match patients to 1 of 3 different types of therapy for PTSD: (1) Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy, (2) Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), or (3) Written Exposure Therapy (WET) in 1 of 2 different frequencies: (1) massed (daily) or (2) spaced (weekly).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2025

open study

Therapy Dog Visits for Patients Hospitalized With Traumatic Injuries
Boston Medical Center Trauma Injury Depression Anxiety Anger Pain
Animal assisted therapy (AAT) with dogs has been shown to be beneficial for a wide range of patients with both acute and chronic illnesses, including spinal cord injuries, heart failure, myocardial infarctions, strokes, cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. Studies have also demon1 expand

Animal assisted therapy (AAT) with dogs has been shown to be beneficial for a wide range of patients with both acute and chronic illnesses, including spinal cord injuries, heart failure, myocardial infarctions, strokes, cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. Studies have also demonstrated that even in healthy adults, the presence of dogs is associated with physiologic changes such as increased pain threshold, decreased blood pressure, and decreased heart rate. However, few studies have investigated the role of AAT in the post-operative course in adults. This study will investigate the impact of therapy dog visits on pain and anxiety scores for trauma patients at Boston Medical Center (BMC).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2025

open study

Teachers Leading the Front Lines - North Carolina (Tealeaf-NC)
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Child Behavior Mental Health Issue Psychosocial Functioning Depression Anxiety
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to pilot test a novel, alternative, potentially sustainable system of teacher-delivered, task-shifted child mental health care. Participants: ~300 estimated Procedures: This is a RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) guided,1 expand

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to pilot test a novel, alternative, potentially sustainable system of teacher-delivered, task-shifted child mental health care. Participants: ~300 estimated Procedures: This is a RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) guided, mixed methods, clustered evaluation of Tealeaf-NC's Reach, Adoption & Implementation (Primary Outcomes, implementation-based), as well as evaluating for preliminary indicators of Effectiveness & Maintenance (Secondary Outcomes, clinically-based).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2024

open study

A Study to Assess the Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of VLS-01 Buccal Film, Compared to Placebo1
atai Therapeutics, Inc. Treatment Resistant Depression
This Phase 2 study (protocol number VLS-01-203) will determine the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of short-term treatment with a VLS-01 transmucosal buccal film (VLS-01-BU) in patients with treatment resistant Major Depressive disorder (TRD) and will characterize the onset and durability of ant1 expand

This Phase 2 study (protocol number VLS-01-203) will determine the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of short-term treatment with a VLS-01 transmucosal buccal film (VLS-01-BU) in patients with treatment resistant Major Depressive disorder (TRD) and will characterize the onset and durability of antidepressant effects of VLS-01-BU versus placebo.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2024

open study

Inhibitory Mechanisms of Negative Urgency in Adolescent Suicidal Behavior
University of Minnesota Suicidal Behavior Suicidal Ideation Negative Urgency Cortical Inhibition Depression
The goal of this study is to understand why some people act more impulsively when feeling negative emotions, which is called negative urgency. The researchers hope to understand how negative urgency relates to the way networks of brain cells communicate with one another. The researchers will measur1 expand

The goal of this study is to understand why some people act more impulsively when feeling negative emotions, which is called negative urgency. The researchers hope to understand how negative urgency relates to the way networks of brain cells communicate with one another. The researchers will measure negative urgency and brain signals in adolescents aged 13-21 years with depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The main questions it aims to answer are: - Whether a type of brain signaling called cortical inhibition is related to negative urgency - Whether depressed adolescents with suicidal behavior have more problems with cortical inhibition than depressed adolescents with suicidal thoughts only - Whether the relationship between negative urgency and cortical inhibition changes over time Adolescents who participate in the study will complete the following activities at the time they join the study, as well as 6 months and 12 months later: - Interviews with researchers and questionnaires to learn about their thoughts, emotions, and symptoms - A questionnaire about impulsive behaviors and negative urgency - Computerized games that measure brain functions - An MRI scan of the brain - Transcranial magnetic stimulation with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG), a way to measure how brain cells communicate (cortical inhibition) using a magnet placed outside of the head and recording brain signals

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2024

open study

Pilot Study of Virtual Reality Therapy for Students With Anxiety
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Anxiety
The purpose of this study is to assess changes in self-reported anxiety over the course of six virtual reality (VR) sessions and to assess changes in academic self-efficacy, as well as examine the feasibility and acceptability of a relatively short and time intensive VR intervention (i.e.,six sessi1 expand

The purpose of this study is to assess changes in self-reported anxiety over the course of six virtual reality (VR) sessions and to assess changes in academic self-efficacy, as well as examine the feasibility and acceptability of a relatively short and time intensive VR intervention (i.e.,six sessions over the course of three weeks) for reducing anxiety symptoms in college students.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2022

open study

Aβ Dynamics in LLMD
NYU Langone Health Alzheimer Disease Major Depressive Disorder
This study will examine the biological factors that may modulate the relationship between depression and the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since the direction of causation between depression and the biological factors associated with AD is unknown, the only way to understand cause and as1 expand

This study will examine the biological factors that may modulate the relationship between depression and the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since the direction of causation between depression and the biological factors associated with AD is unknown, the only way to understand cause and associated risk is to treat the depressive symptoms and examine the effects on AD biomarkers. The study involves an FDA-approved treatment for major depressive disorder. It will compare the SSRI antidepressant escitalopram with placebo. The hypothesis is that a reduction in depressive symptoms will be associated with a normalization of CSF AD biomarkers as well as peripheral inflammatory markers. This research would contribute to fundamental knowledge about potentially modifiable risks of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2022

open study