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
The Role of Virtual Reality During Regional Anesthesia
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Anxiety Pain
In this study, we will analyze the role of virtual reality in acute pain and anxiety management for regional anesthesia in pre-operative patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. expand

In this study, we will analyze the role of virtual reality in acute pain and anxiety management for regional anesthesia in pre-operative patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2020

open study

Non-invasive Nerve Stimulation and Sleep
VA Office of Research and Development PTSD
People often have difficulty sleeping. Reasons are many. But, difficulty falling and staying asleep are common issues. Sleep difficulties are common in disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Current treatments for sleep difficulties are not effective for everyone. Better treatments are n1 expand

People often have difficulty sleeping. Reasons are many. But, difficulty falling and staying asleep are common issues. Sleep difficulties are common in disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Current treatments for sleep difficulties are not effective for everyone. Better treatments are needed. In this study, the investigators are testing two nerve stimulation locations that may impact brain function in such a way that sleep is improved.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2020

open study

Resilience in Adolescent Development
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Risk Assessment Resilience, Psychological Depression Mood Disorders Anxiety Disorders
RAD is a 10-year natural history, longitudinal, prospective assessment study of a cohort of 2,500 participants (ages 10-24 years) that will help uncover the socio-demographic, lifestyle, clinical, psychological, and neurobiological factors that contribute to resilience among children, adolescents,1 expand

RAD is a 10-year natural history, longitudinal, prospective assessment study of a cohort of 2,500 participants (ages 10-24 years) that will help uncover the socio-demographic, lifestyle, clinical, psychological, and neurobiological factors that contribute to resilience among children, adolescents, and young adults at-risk for mood and anxiety disorders. As this is an exploratory study, we will assess a comprehensive panel of carefully selected participant specific parameters, including socio-demographic, life habits, clinical, biological, behavioral, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging. The study is designed to observe and collect factors associated with resilience in a non-invasive fashion; no interventions or treatments will be conducted during the project. Assessments will be conducted up to 4 times per year for up to 10 years, as well as a baseline visit. Study visits will be conducted in person whenever feasible but may be completed by phone/mail/computer, if an in-person visit is not possible.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Aug 2016

open study

DBS for Depression
Baylor College of Medicine Major Depressive Disorder
The goal of the study is to address the unmet need of TRD patients by identifying brain networks critical for treating depression and to use next generation precision DBS with steering capability to engage these targeted networks. The study's goal will be achieved through 3 specific aims: 1. Dem1 expand

The goal of the study is to address the unmet need of TRD patients by identifying brain networks critical for treating depression and to use next generation precision DBS with steering capability to engage these targeted networks. The study's goal will be achieved through 3 specific aims: 1. Demonstrate device capability to selectively and predictably engage distinct brain networks 2. Delineate depression-relevant networks and demonstrate behavioral changes with network-targeted stimulation 3. Demonstrate that chronic DBS using steered, individualized targeting is feasible and safe for reducing depressive symptoms

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2019

open study

Dallas 2K: A Natural History Study of Depression
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Depression Depression, Bipolar
The primary objective of this initiative is to implement a prospective study that will allow us to identify and validate biosignatures of response to treatments for depression and depression outcome (using an integrated array of participant specific data: socio-demographic, lifestyle, clinical and1 expand

The primary objective of this initiative is to implement a prospective study that will allow us to identify and validate biosignatures of response to treatments for depression and depression outcome (using an integrated array of participant specific data: socio-demographic, lifestyle, clinical and behavioral assessments, fluid-based biomarkers, genomics, neuroimaging, EEG, and cell-based assays) in a longitudinal cohort of subjects with elevated symptoms of a depressive disorder. Symptom remission across various treatment options will be assessed using questionnaires for symptom changes, antidepressant treatment tolerability and overall quality of life. Other outcomes generated from this study will include rate of change in quantitative measures of brain function, of depression relevant brain regions correlated with systems-levels behavior and other functional neuro-circuitry MRI measures. Rate of change of specified biochemical biomarkers will also be assessed. Integration of these measures will provide an unmatched understanding into the mechanisms of depression and hold tremendous promise for better disease treatment and associated outcomes.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jun 2016

open study

Neural and Psychiatric Consequences of Cannabis Use in Adolescents
University of Miami Cannabis Use Depression
The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of cannabis on brain function among adolescents with depression. expand

The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of cannabis on brain function among adolescents with depression.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2025

open study

A Preventive Behavioral Intervention for Young Adults With Psychotic Experiences
Massachusetts General Hospital Psychotic Disorders Mood Disorders Anxiety Disorders
This is a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of Resilience Training in college students with elevated transdiagnostic risk for developing a serious mental illness. expand

This is a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of Resilience Training in college students with elevated transdiagnostic risk for developing a serious mental illness.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2025

open study

Get ActivE Study for At-risk Youth
University of Pittsburgh Anhedonia Depression and Suicide Ideation
The study will adapt and deploy a digital Behavioral Activation app with mobile sensing, supported by health coaches, that encourages youth to engage in positive activities. The study has the potential to offer a low-cost and scalable behavioral intervention that may decrease risk of suicide among1 expand

The study will adapt and deploy a digital Behavioral Activation app with mobile sensing, supported by health coaches, that encourages youth to engage in positive activities. The study has the potential to offer a low-cost and scalable behavioral intervention that may decrease risk of suicide among at-risk youth. This research will examine specifically whether an intervention involving an app called Vira, combined with health coaching (GET ActivE) can improve enjoyment for teens coping with depression. Research participants will be randomly assigned to one of two study intervention. One study intervention involves a) downloading an app called Vira and engaging by responding to a daily question, and b) participating in a conversation via text, phone, or messages through an appt with a health coach. The health coach will use the Vira app and principles from evidence-based therapy and behavior change to provide users with insights to sustain well-being and better manage risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors such as depressed mood and behavioral withdrawal. The second study intervention involves downloading an app called EARS and responding to a daily question.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2025

open study

Concurrent TMS-fMRI
Jing Jiang Healthy Control Depression Anxiety
The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the neural mechanisms underlying transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) using concurrent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in both healthy controls (HCs) and patients with high negative affect symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. Approx1 expand

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the neural mechanisms underlying transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) using concurrent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in both healthy controls (HCs) and patients with high negative affect symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. Approximately half male and half female participants aged 18-65 will be recruited. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Is the acute/transient effect induced by single-pulse TMS related to the long-term modulatory effect induced by repetitive TMS (rTMS)? 2. Do any of these effects predict negative affect symptoms, such as depression and anxiety? Participants will: 1. Complete several tests to assess their cognitive abilities and emotional states 2. Undergo several brain scans, including resting-state fMRI, structural MRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and task fMRI 3. Have two different types of TMS sequences, single-pulse and repetitive pulses, administered to specific brain regions while undergoing fMRI

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2024

open study

Leucine in Midlife Depression
Emory University Major Depression
The study aims to investigate the effects of a 6-week leucine challenge on brain chemistry, connectivity, and behavior in people with midlife depression. The researchers will compare the leucine and an active comparator arm (lysine) for 6 weeks. expand

The study aims to investigate the effects of a 6-week leucine challenge on brain chemistry, connectivity, and behavior in people with midlife depression. The researchers will compare the leucine and an active comparator arm (lysine) for 6 weeks.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2025

open study

Sensory Synchronized Imaging and Neuromodulation
VA Office of Research and Development Major Depressive Disorder
The purpose of this research study is to better understand the relationship between the type of brain stimulation used and how it changes brain activity in adult military Veterans. The goal is to use this understanding to develop new, personalized brain stimulation. The investigators evaluate brain1 expand

The purpose of this research study is to better understand the relationship between the type of brain stimulation used and how it changes brain activity in adult military Veterans. The goal is to use this understanding to develop new, personalized brain stimulation. The investigators evaluate brain changes from different types of transcranial magnetic brain stimulation (TMS).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2025

open study

A Comparative Effectiveness Study of PTSD Treatments Among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations
Stanford University PTSD
The goal of this clinical trial is see if Cognitive Processing Therapy and STAIR Narrative Therapy work to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/aromantic, and all other sexual or gender minority (LGBTQIA+) adults.1 expand

The goal of this clinical trial is see if Cognitive Processing Therapy and STAIR Narrative Therapy work to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/aromantic, and all other sexual or gender minority (LGBTQIA+) adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: - Do these treatments reduce PTSD symptoms in LGBTQIA+ patients? - Do these treatments help improve quality of life and reduce depression in LGBTQIA+ patients? - Do stress from stigma and discrimination and drug/alcohol use change the impact of the treatment on PTSD symptoms? - Are LGBTQIA+ patients satisfied with these treatments? Do these treatments work differently among different groups within the LGBTQIA+ community? - Do LGBTQIA+ patients complete these treatments? Study participants will receive one of these two PTSD treatments. Participants will complete assessments before and after receiving treatment.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2024

open study

Mobile Mental Health Stigma Reduction Intervention Among Black Adults
Massachusetts General Hospital Anxiety Depression Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Stigmatization Mobile Phone Use
Major depressive and anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in the general population and are a leading cause of disability. Black adults have a high burden of depression and anxiety. This study aims to assess a self- administered video-based intervention to reduce mental illness stigma and medical1 expand

Major depressive and anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in the general population and are a leading cause of disability. Black adults have a high burden of depression and anxiety. This study aims to assess a self- administered video-based intervention to reduce mental illness stigma and medical mistrust among Black adults with moderate to severe depression or anxiety.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2024

open study

Building Resilience for Surgical Recovery
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Psychosocial Functioning Surgery Older Adults Physical Function Postoperative Outcome
The goal of this clinical trial is to test problem solving therapy (PST) in older adults who are undergoing major surgery. The main question it aims to answer is: What is the feasibility and acceptability of delivering PST to older surgical patients with depressive symptoms or report lacking social1 expand

The goal of this clinical trial is to test problem solving therapy (PST) in older adults who are undergoing major surgery. The main question it aims to answer is: What is the feasibility and acceptability of delivering PST to older surgical patients with depressive symptoms or report lacking social support in the pre-operative and post-operative setting?

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2024

open study

CRISOL Mente: A Multilevel Community Intervention to Reduce Mental Health Disparities Among Latinos
Drexel University Depression, Unipolar Anxiety Disorders Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Latinos in the U.S. experience significant disparities in access to mental health services due to lack of health insurance, language barriers, low availability of bilingual providers, mental health stigma, and fear of deportation. There is an urgent need to identify low-cost, culturally appropriate1 expand

Latinos in the U.S. experience significant disparities in access to mental health services due to lack of health insurance, language barriers, low availability of bilingual providers, mental health stigma, and fear of deportation. There is an urgent need to identify low-cost, culturally appropriate interventions to reduce mental health disparities among this population. This project will address that need by implementing and testing CRISOL Mente, a multi-level, culturally-congruent community intervention to improve the mental health of the Latino population in Philadelphia.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2023

open study

Identifying and Treating Depression in the Orthopaedic Trauma Population
Wake Forest University Health Sciences Depression
The goal of this trial is to pilot a way for orthopaedic surgeons to safely screen for depression and provide treatment for depression with medication. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. What are the outcomes of patients who screen positive for depressive symptoms and are prescrib1 expand

The goal of this trial is to pilot a way for orthopaedic surgeons to safely screen for depression and provide treatment for depression with medication. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. What are the outcomes of patients who screen positive for depressive symptoms and are prescribed either an Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). 2. What are the outcomes of patients who screen positive for depressive symptoms and choose not to pursue treatment with medication?

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2025

open study

Family Spirit Strengths
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Depressive Symptoms Anxiety Disorders and Symptoms Substance Use Mental Health Issue
This project addresses the disproportionate morbidity and mortality associated with mental and behavioral health problems in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Access to culturally competent and effective behavioral health services is limited in many of these communities. The investigat1 expand

This project addresses the disproportionate morbidity and mortality associated with mental and behavioral health problems in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Access to culturally competent and effective behavioral health services is limited in many of these communities. The investigators aim to address this gap by testing the effectiveness of a trans-diagnostic secondary prevention program, Family Spirit Strengths (FSS) that can be embedded within home visiting services. The FSS program is a skills-based program that incorporates elements of evidence-based practice, the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA), and materials informed and developed based on an Indigenous advisory group. The FSS program aims to help participants build self-efficacy and coping skills, as well as build stronger connections to others, the participants' community, and cultural resources. The investigators will use a randomized controlled trial, whereby half of the participants will receive FSS and the other half will receive an evidence-based nutrition education program. The investigators' study is grounded in participatory processes and led by a team of Indigenous and allied researchers.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2023

open study

Mechanisms of Behavioral Activation (BA)
Emory University Depression
The investigators will be comparing brain (neural) activation of depressed adolescent patients before, during and after a course of Behavioral Activation (BA) therapy using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In particular, the project seeks to determine whether BA targets different neura1 expand

The investigators will be comparing brain (neural) activation of depressed adolescent patients before, during and after a course of Behavioral Activation (BA) therapy using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In particular, the project seeks to determine whether BA targets different neural mechanisms for behavioral avoidance associated with low motivation as compared to threat avoidance. A group of healthy controls will also be scanned as a comparator group for behavioral and imaging measures.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2023

open study

Glutamatergic Adaptation to Stress as a Mechanism for Anhedonia and Treatment Response With Ketamine
Emory University Major Depressive Disorder
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of ketamine on decision-making and emotion processing in a sample of individuals diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). expand

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of ketamine on decision-making and emotion processing in a sample of individuals diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2022

open study

Cannabidiol Effects on Learning and Anxiety
University of Connecticut Anxiety and Fear
To examine the extent to which Cannabidiol (CBD) enhances fear conditioning extinction in college undergraduates who show elevated social anxiety. Undergraduates who display elevated social anxiety on standard assessments will be recruited at the University of Connecticut. All participants will be1 expand

To examine the extent to which Cannabidiol (CBD) enhances fear conditioning extinction in college undergraduates who show elevated social anxiety. Undergraduates who display elevated social anxiety on standard assessments will be recruited at the University of Connecticut. All participants will be put in a standard fear conditioning paradigm where they are conditioned to fear a face that occasionally is followed by a shock to their wrist. The other face never is paired with a shock. After everybody learns this, half of the participants will receive 600 mg CBD Isolate Gel Capsules one time, and the other half will receive a placebo dose. Participants will then be presented with the faces with no shocks, and the rate and duration of extinction as measured by electrodermal response as well as subjective fear ratings via a visual analogue scale will be examined. It is hypothesized that participants that receive CBD will display enhanced extinction compared to the placebo group, as evidenced by reduced electrodermal response and reduced visual analogue fear ratings.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2024

open study

Prevention of Psychological Health Problems Via Integrated Operational Support
New York University Depression, Anxiety Grief Leadership Dissatisfaction
Sub-clinical behavioral health services in the military are performed by BH technicians, who receive minimal training. Due to this, embedding more technicians in military units is unlikely to benefit service members. Giving technicians training in, and access to, evidence-based interventions (EBI)1 expand

Sub-clinical behavioral health services in the military are performed by BH technicians, who receive minimal training. Due to this, embedding more technicians in military units is unlikely to benefit service members. Giving technicians training in, and access to, evidence-based interventions (EBI) could make their work more effective. The proposed study is a training trial examining the efficacy of the full integrated operational support (IOS) toolkit (evidence-based interventions for behavioral health), relative to routine care using standard resources, as a prevention resource for active-duty airmen.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2025

open study

Maintenance rTMS for Depression (Maitr-De)
University of California, San Diego Major Depressive Disorder Treatment Resistant Depression
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a promising intervention for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), yet substantial uncertainties persist regarding its efficacy as a maintenance treatment. This prospective study seeks to investigate the efficacy of maintenance rTMS1 expand

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a promising intervention for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), yet substantial uncertainties persist regarding its efficacy as a maintenance treatment. This prospective study seeks to investigate the efficacy of maintenance rTMS in individuals with TRD who have previously responded to an acute course of rTMS. In the R61 phase of the study, we will recruit 75 participants across three study sites, the University of California San Diego, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Australian National University, into a double-blind, three-arm maintenance treatment trial. In this trial, participants will be randomized to receive either standard maintenance rTMS, clustered maintenance rTMS, or sham maintenance rTMS for a duration of 6 months. Our primary aim is to examine the efficacy of maintenance rTMS on sustaining connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and subgenual cingulate cortex (SGC) measured through concurrent TMS and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) at baseline and every six weeks throughout the 6-month treatment period. We will also assess changes in depressive symptom severity using clinical scales, including the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) as a secondary outcome measure. It is hypothesized that stimulation with clustered maintenance rTMS will demonstrate superiority in sustaining DLPFC-SGC connectivity compared with standard maintenance rTMS and sham maintenance rTMS

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2025

open study

Child Bipolar Network Ketogenic Diet Approach to Bipolar Disorder in Adolescents
University of California, Los Angeles Bipolar Disorder (BD) Bipolar Disorder NOS Bipolar Disorder I or II Bipolar Spectrum Disorder Adolescents
The present study is an open trial of ketogenic diets for adolescents and young adults (ages 12-21 yrs) in the depressive or mixed phases of bipolar disorder (BD). The investigators aim to determine whether combining standard of care pharmacological treatment for bipolar spectrum disorders with a 11 expand

The present study is an open trial of ketogenic diets for adolescents and young adults (ages 12-21 yrs) in the depressive or mixed phases of bipolar disorder (BD). The investigators aim to determine whether combining standard of care pharmacological treatment for bipolar spectrum disorders with a 16-week ketogenic diet is well-tolerated and associated with improvements in depression, inflammatory and metabolic indicators, and executive functioning over the study period. The experimental treatment in this study is a 16-week full ketogenic diet. Four study sites (UCLA, U Cincinnati, U Colorado and U Pittsburgh) will recruit 80 total youth (20 each) from bipolar specialty clinics. All youth eligible for the ketogenic therapy will be provided with the ketogenic diet and standard of care pharmacological treatment. During the diet therapy youth will be seen by a study child/adolescent psychiatrist at least once a month (and more frequently when needed), with the psychiatrist recommending and providing side effects monitoring and pharmacotherapy as clinically indicated. The youth and caregivers will also meet with an expert dietitian who will coach all youth on maintaining the ketogenic diet (low carbs, high fats, medium protein) and making sure the child is tolerating the diet and getting enough liquid and nutrients, following the practice guidelines of the International Ketogenic Diet Study Group for treating youth. All youth and involved caregivers will also be provided will at least one motivational enhancement session to support them in goal setting and completion of the study elements. Throughout the study the investigators will assess metabolic (e.g., blood ketones, HOMA-IR) and inflammatory indicators (e.g., C-reactive protein), both for safety reasons and to assess correlates of symptomatic change. Independent evaluators will assess youth every month regarding their symptoms (depression, mania, anxiety, psychosis), psychosocial functioning, and quality of life. The investigators anticipate that the pilot will transpire over 24 months and be an important step toward establishing feasibility and acceptability of ketogenic therapy for this population, not only in terms of diet administration and compliance but also for obtaining symptomatic, metabolic and inflammatory measurements.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2025

open study

Retrospective Analyses of TrakStar Database
Neuronetics Depression Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Anxiety Depression
In this study, real-world data will be used to better understand the effects patient characteristics, symptoms and TMS protocol parameters have on clinical outcomes with NeuroStar TMS. expand

In this study, real-world data will be used to better understand the effects patient characteristics, symptoms and TMS protocol parameters have on clinical outcomes with NeuroStar TMS.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Feb 2025

open study

A New Clinical Model for the Engagement of Latinx Youth With Suicidal Behavior
Bradley Hospital Suicide Ideation Suicidal Behaviors Depressive Symptoms
This study will test a model of providing treatment to Latinx/Hispanic youth, who experience suicidal thoughts and behavior, and their caregivers. An affirmative and culturally relevant treatment will be provided to all youth and half of the families will be assigned to the additional support of a1 expand

This study will test a model of providing treatment to Latinx/Hispanic youth, who experience suicidal thoughts and behavior, and their caregivers. An affirmative and culturally relevant treatment will be provided to all youth and half of the families will be assigned to the additional support of a community health worker (CHW). Youth symptoms and family engagement to treatment will be followed for nine months. The potential benefit of adding the CHW intervention will be assessed.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2024

open study