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.


854 matching studies

Sponsor Condition of Interest
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

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

Mechanism of Action of Electroconvulsive Therapy
Massachusetts General Hospital Unipolar Depression Bipolar Depression
This is an observational neuroimaging study assessing the effects of ECT on the brains of patients with unipolar and bipolar depression. expand

This is an observational neuroimaging study assessing the effects of ECT on the brains of patients with unipolar and bipolar depression.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Jun 2019

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

A Closed Loop, Doctor to Patient, Mobile Application for Depression in People With Multiple Scleros1
University of California, San Francisco Multiple Sclerosis MS Depression
The researchers want to find out if an electronic application called MS CATCH can enhance patients' and doctors' experiences during and in between clinical visits. MS CATCH is a smartphone-based tool which allows patients to enter their mood related symptoms at regular intervals, which is then avai1 expand

The researchers want to find out if an electronic application called MS CATCH can enhance patients' and doctors' experiences during and in between clinical visits. MS CATCH is a smartphone-based tool which allows patients to enter their mood related symptoms at regular intervals, which is then available to their Neurologist in their electronic medical record. The neurologist is also able to view additional information from their medical record, and receives alerts for changes reported by the patient that raise concern for the patient's mental health.

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

Improving Negative Stressful Perseverations in Insomnia to Revitalize Expecting Moms (INSPIRE)
Henry Ford Health System Insomnia Depression
Nearly half of women develop insomnia during pregnancy, which is associated with increased risk for developing perinatal depression. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the implementability and effectiveness of a mindfulness-based therapy for insomnia relative to cognitive-behavioral therap1 expand

Nearly half of women develop insomnia during pregnancy, which is associated with increased risk for developing perinatal depression. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the implementability and effectiveness of a mindfulness-based therapy for insomnia relative to cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia in pregnant women with insomnia and comorbid depression. The investigators aim to examine whether a mindfulness-based intervention effectiveness reduces symptoms of insomnia and comorbid depression.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2023

open study

Amplification of Positivity for Alcohol Use
Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Inc. Alcohol Use Disorder Anxiety Depression
The proposed study consists of two phases. During Phase 1, the investigators will recruit a small sample of participants to complete a psychosocial intervention termed Amplification of Positivity (AMP) for individuals experiencing comorbid depression or anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorder (A1 expand

The proposed study consists of two phases. During Phase 1, the investigators will recruit a small sample of participants to complete a psychosocial intervention termed Amplification of Positivity (AMP) for individuals experiencing comorbid depression or anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorder (AMP-A). These participants will be asked to provide both qualitative and quantitative input about the AMP-A intervention. Based on their input and clinician input, the AMP-A manual will be modified for use in Phase 2. The goal is to recruit up to 20 participants in order to ensure there will be at least 8 participants who complete all sessions of AMP-A. Phase 2 is a randomized clinical trial (RCT) protocol in which individuals experiencing comorbid depression or anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorder will be randomized to complete AMP-A or an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention. Up to 100 participants will be recruited in order to reach a target of N=60. Assessed outcomes will include participant acceptability and completion rates, participant compliance with the intervention, positive and negative affect, substance use- and depression and anxiety-related symptom severity, functional disability, and neural reactivity to reward and alcohol cues during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2023

open study

Probing the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex and Central Executive Network for Improving Neuromodulat1
Stanford University Major Depressive Disorder
Depression is a highly prevalent condition characterized by persistent low mood, energy, and activity that can affect one's thoughts, mood, behavior, and sense of well-being. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique, is an effective treatment for1 expand

Depression is a highly prevalent condition characterized by persistent low mood, energy, and activity that can affect one's thoughts, mood, behavior, and sense of well-being. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique, is an effective treatment for depression when targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) of the central executive network (CEN). However, remission rates are suboptimal and individual methods to target the dlPFC are lacking. In this study, we will enroll 50 patients with major depression and in a single rTMS 'dose,' prospective, randomized, double-blind, cross-over design will assess whether rTMS targeted to an individual's central executive network (CEN) assessed by single pulse TMS can enhance network modulation. If successful, this work will lead to a clinical rTMS trial comparing this personalized targeting approach against standard rTMS.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2023

open study

Closed-loop Optimized rTMS for Depression
Stanford University Major Depressive Disorder
Targeted and individualized treatments for mental health disorders are critically needed. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) represents the front-line of new and innovative approaches to normalizing dysfunctional brain networks in those with mental illness. rTMS is FDA-approved for1 expand

Targeted and individualized treatments for mental health disorders are critically needed. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) represents the front-line of new and innovative approaches to normalizing dysfunctional brain networks in those with mental illness. rTMS is FDA-approved for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder with clinical trials underway for PTSD and addiction, among others. However, remission rates are suboptimal and ideal stimulation parameters are unknown. We recently completed a randomized, double blind clinical trial and a depression severity biomarker that predicts clinical outcome. The overarching goal of this study is to develop the first broadly generalizable platform for real-time biomarker monitoring and personalized rTMS treatment. We plan to recruit patients with medication-resistant depression and in perform a four-phase, cross-over, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to 1) identify how standard and optimized rTMS patterns engage the depression severity biomarker, and 2) determine the dose-response of these rTMS patterns. Findings from this study will provide the basis for a double-blind, randomized clinical trial comparing rTMS optimized to the individual against standard rTMS.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2021

open study

A Music-Based Mobile App for People Living With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD)
Autotune Me LLC Dementia Agitation Depressive Symptoms
The purpose of this pilot is to develop a mobile application that detects physiological measures of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and triggers auto-play of personalized songs in a wearable device. The investigators will test the feasibility and acceptability of the app.1 expand

The purpose of this pilot is to develop a mobile application that detects physiological measures of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and triggers auto-play of personalized songs in a wearable device. The investigators will test the feasibility and acceptability of the app. This app may be an important tool to include in daily caregiving in a home setting by extending established benefits of music therapy for people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Aug 2023

open study

Mindfulness Training in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes
University of South Florida Anxiety Type 1 Diabetes Quality of Life
Creation of an adaptation of a mindfulness-based stress reduction mobile health application specifically designed for adolescents living with Type 1 diabetes. Aim to determine whether daily mindfulness improves anxiety symptoms in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes. expand

Creation of an adaptation of a mindfulness-based stress reduction mobile health application specifically designed for adolescents living with Type 1 diabetes. Aim to determine whether daily mindfulness improves anxiety symptoms in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2023

open study

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Combating the Effects of Race-Related Stress Among Blac1
Children's Hospital Los Angeles Race-related Stress Depression, Anxiety Quality of Life Stress Reaction
The current study seeks to build on previous research that demonstrates the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in combating stigma by investigating the feasibility and acceptability of a protocol to support Black adolescents and young adults in coping with race related stress. The study1 expand

The current study seeks to build on previous research that demonstrates the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in combating stigma by investigating the feasibility and acceptability of a protocol to support Black adolescents and young adults in coping with race related stress. The study will consist of a small, purposeful, non-randomized sample (N = 30) of clients enrolled into a 10-session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy group. The group will be offered as part of regular clinical care at the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine. Three consecutive groups will be run with approximately 8-10 participants in each group over the next year.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2023

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

Personalized Need-focused Single Session Intervention
Bar-Ilan University, Israel Depression and/or Anxiety in the Mild-to-moderate Range
This is a two-site randomized controlled trial, with two goals. First, the investigators aim to demonstrate that single-session interventions for mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression can generate statistically significant symptom change as a main effect across control and experimental (i.e. pers1 expand

This is a two-site randomized controlled trial, with two goals. First, the investigators aim to demonstrate that single-session interventions for mild-to-moderate anxiety and depression can generate statistically significant symptom change as a main effect across control and experimental (i.e. personalized) conditions. Second, the investigators hope to establish the additional incremental efficacy of personalization via person-specific intensive longitudinal data collection and analysis.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2023

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

Cellular Aging and Neurobiology of Depression Study
University of California, San Francisco Major Depressive Disorder
We are conducting an eight week longitudinal study to learn if blood levels of certain naturally occurring compounds and genetic markers differ between patients with depression and healthy adults who are not depressed, and if any such differences relate to memory performance, mood, and neurobiology1 expand

We are conducting an eight week longitudinal study to learn if blood levels of certain naturally occurring compounds and genetic markers differ between patients with depression and healthy adults who are not depressed, and if any such differences relate to memory performance, mood, and neurobiology. We are also interested in how the gut microbiome is affected by antidepressant treatment. We will do this by comparing the unmedicated depressed patients with matched healthy controls at baseline and then following the depressed patients over the course of eight weeks of standardized antidepressant treatment to gauge which baseline abnormalities normalize over the course of treatment.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2010

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

The Network Study: Soldiers Connecting for Work and Health
Cornell University Alcohol Use Disorder Depression
This study will examine the efficacy of an internet-based brief intervention designed to reduce risky behavior in Soldiers as they transition from Active Duty into the civilian workforce as a Veteran. Up to 700 soldiers intending to separate from the Army will be recruited, with the intention of dr1 expand

This study will examine the efficacy of an internet-based brief intervention designed to reduce risky behavior in Soldiers as they transition from Active Duty into the civilian workforce as a Veteran. Up to 700 soldiers intending to separate from the Army will be recruited, with the intention of drawing a final sample of 450 participants. Study participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control group, stratified by age and gender.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2021

open study

Approach-Avoidance, Computational Framework for Predicting Behavioral Therapy Outcome (AAC-BeT)
Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Inc. Anxiety Depression
Depression and anxiety disorders rank in the top ten causes of years lived with disability. Less than 50% of patients experiencing long-lasting improvements to current gold-standard treatments. Two gold-standard behavioral interventions include behavioral activation, focused on enhancing approach b1 expand

Depression and anxiety disorders rank in the top ten causes of years lived with disability. Less than 50% of patients experiencing long-lasting improvements to current gold-standard treatments. Two gold-standard behavioral interventions include behavioral activation, focused on enhancing approach behavior towards meaningful activities, and exposure-based therapy, focused on decreasing avoidance and challenging negative expectations. While these interventions have divergent treatment targets, there is little knowledge to inform which strategies should be used in the frequent case of comorbid anxiety and depression. Approach-avoidance decision-making paradigms focus on assessing responses when faced with potential rewards and threats, tapping into processes important for both anxiety and depression as well as behavioral activation and exposure-based therapy. For this study, investigators will recruit individuals reporting both anxiety and depression symptoms and randomize them to one of three different interventions: (1) behavioral activation, (2) exposure-based therapy, and a non-specific therapy approach (3) supportive therapy. Participants will complete clinical, self-report, behavioral, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) assessments before and after therapy. Investigators will use a computational approach to model factors that may influence one's behavior during approach-avoidance decision-making, including drives to avoid threat versus approach reward and confidence versus uncertainty in one's decisions. This project will accomplish the following aims (1) Determine how changes in brain and behavior responses during approach-avoidance conflict relate to changes in mental health symptoms with the different therapy approaches, (2) Determine the degree to which baseline brain and behavior responses during approach-avoidance conflict predict response to the different therapy approaches, above and beyond the influence of demographics and baseline symptom severity. In addition, by including peripheral blood draws and measures of grace matter volume, the project will also accomplish the following aims: (1) Determine whether kynrenine metabolites measures peripherally may be beneficial as a biomarker of treatment response and (2) determine whether there is an association between change in kynurenine metabolites and changes in gray matter volume with treatment. Results will enhance understanding of how different psychotherapy approaches (behavioral activation, exposure-based therapy) may impact brain responses and decisions when faces with potential reward versus threat and approach versus avoidance drives. In addition, results will have important implications concerning the potential for a more personalized approach to psychotherapy, enhancing knowledge of which types of therapy strategies may be most beneficial for which individuals.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2020

open study

Building an Outcomes Assessment Infrastructure to Assess Anxiety Treatment
Mclean Hospital Social Anxiety Disorder Specific Phobia Separation Anxiety Disorder Panic Disorder Agoraphobia
The collection of patient self-report and diagnostic data will allow us to examine the efficacy of the treatment delivered in the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program. Using data gathered through routine clinical care, the investigators seek to explore whether patients in treatment show improvements from1 expand

The collection of patient self-report and diagnostic data will allow us to examine the efficacy of the treatment delivered in the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program. Using data gathered through routine clinical care, the investigators seek to explore whether patients in treatment show improvements from admission to discharge, compared to patients on the waitlist, and whether these gains are maintained three months post-discharge. The following are included as examples of some of the study's hypotheses.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2014

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