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.


850 matching studies

Sponsor Condition of Interest
Pilot Study of Personalized Aperiodic Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation in Antenatal Dep1
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Antenatal Depression Major Depressive Disorder Major Depressive Disorder in Pregnancy Healthy Controls
The purpose of this study is to develop the safety, feasibility, and tolerability of a personalized transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) approach in antenatal depression. expand

The purpose of this study is to develop the safety, feasibility, and tolerability of a personalized transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) approach in antenatal depression.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2025

open study

Just-In-Time Adaptive Interventions (JITAIs) in a Digital Mental Health Intervention for Middle-Age1
Washington University School of Medicine Chronic Pain Depression, Anxiety
The purpose of this research study is to refine customized in-app notifications in order to optimize users' experience with a mobile app called Wysa for Chronic Pain. This app is designed to support people who have chronic pain and who also experience symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. This ver1 expand

The purpose of this research study is to refine customized in-app notifications in order to optimize users' experience with a mobile app called Wysa for Chronic Pain. This app is designed to support people who have chronic pain and who also experience symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. This version of the app is not currently available to the public. Eligible participants will be asked to download and use the Wysa for Chronic Pain study app for several weeks, and to use it as they normally would if they were not part of a research study. At the beginning and end of the study period, participants will be asked to complete brief surveys about their mood, pain, physical function, and sleep. Additionally, a few participants will be asked to share their experience with the study app at the end of the research study in a casual interview using a secure audio/video recorded call. Participating in the interview portion is optional.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2025

open study

Music Use in Parturients Admitted to Labor & Delivery
Tufts Medical Center Anxiety Pain Patient Satisfaction
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if music use affects anxiety or pain levels in parturients admitted to labor and delivery. It will also learn about the effect of music use on patient satisfaction. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does music use affect anxiety levels in parturi1 expand

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if music use affects anxiety or pain levels in parturients admitted to labor and delivery. It will also learn about the effect of music use on patient satisfaction. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does music use affect anxiety levels in parturients admitted to labor and delivery? Does music use affect pain levels in parturients admitted to labor and delivery? Does music use affect patient satisfaction in parturients admitted to labor and delivery? Researchers will compare music to a control (no music) to see if music affects anxiety levels in parturients admitted to labor and delivery. Participants will: Listen to music or listen to no music for a 10 minute duration in the labor and delivery unit. Answer questions about anxiety and pain levels at a few different timepoints. Have information collected from medical charts (vital signs and cervical dilation). Rate their satisfaction with care.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2025

open study

Positive Processes and Transition to Health - Single-Session (PATH-SS)
Case Western Reserve University PTSD Depression
The goal of this clinical trial is to test a brief, new psychotherapy (called Positive Processes and Transition to Health - Single Session, or PATH-SS) that aims to provide relief for people who are suffering after experiencing a sexual assault. This research will explore whether this new psychothe1 expand

The goal of this clinical trial is to test a brief, new psychotherapy (called Positive Processes and Transition to Health - Single Session, or PATH-SS) that aims to provide relief for people who are suffering after experiencing a sexual assault. This research will explore whether this new psychotherapy reduces sexual assault related distress, including posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does PATH-SS leads to improvements in PTSD and depression symptoms (pre- to post- and 1-month follow-up)? Do participants perceive PATH-SS to be acceptable, helpful, and do they complete/adhere to treatment? Participants will complete a pre-treatment/baseline assessment to confirm eligibility, and those who are eligible will receive the single-session intervention and will complete a post-treatment and a 1-month follow-up assessment of stressor-related symptoms.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2025

open study

Behavioral Activation for the PreVention of Post-strokE Depression in LoW-incomE Older Stroke Survi1
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Post-stroke Depression Subthreshold Depression
The overall objective of the project is to determine the effectiveness of tele-delivered behavioral activation (BA) by trained lay counselors (Tele-BA-S) to prevent Post-stroke depression (PSD) in low-income, older stroke survivors with subthreshold depression (SD). expand

The overall objective of the project is to determine the effectiveness of tele-delivered behavioral activation (BA) by trained lay counselors (Tele-BA-S) to prevent Post-stroke depression (PSD) in low-income, older stroke survivors with subthreshold depression (SD).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Apr 2026

open study

TRIPS - Treatment to Improve Depression and/or Anxiety Using Psilocybin-assisted Psychotherapy in C1
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Depression Anxiety Cancer
This clinical research study is to learn about the feasibility, safety, and effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for cancer survivors with depression and/or anxiety. expand

This clinical research study is to learn about the feasibility, safety, and effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for cancer survivors with depression and/or anxiety.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2025

open study

Nebulized Ketamine for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder
Theresa Jacob, PhD, MPH Severe Depression Moderate Depression Ketamine Midazolam Peripheral Nervous System Agents
This is a double-blind active placebo controlled clinical trial for individuals with moderate to severe depression. The purpose of this study is to assess if nebulized ketamine can reduce depressive symptoms. expand

This is a double-blind active placebo controlled clinical trial for individuals with moderate to severe depression. The purpose of this study is to assess if nebulized ketamine can reduce depressive symptoms.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2024

open study

Sleep Mechanisms Of Regulating Emotions
Stanford University Insomnia Depression
This project is the second phase of a two-phased project investigating the impact of a proven sleep intervention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) on engagement of the emotion regulation brain network as a putative mechanistic target. expand

This project is the second phase of a two-phased project investigating the impact of a proven sleep intervention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) on engagement of the emotion regulation brain network as a putative mechanistic target.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2024

open study

Use of Ketosis in Modulating Metabolic Pathways in Bipolar Disorder
Stony Brook University Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder Type 1
The goal of this clinical trial is to test how specific components of diet affect brain function and behavior for individuals with bipolar. The main question it aims to answer is how glucose and ketones each affect the brain's response to risk and reward. Participants will be asked to provide blood1 expand

The goal of this clinical trial is to test how specific components of diet affect brain function and behavior for individuals with bipolar. The main question it aims to answer is how glucose and ketones each affect the brain's response to risk and reward. Participants will be asked to provide blood (to assess baseline measures of how the body uses energy), and then to receive two MRI scan sessions, on separate days. During each MRI scan session, participants will play three games, from which they can win money, before and after drinking glucose (on one day) or ketones (on the other day). Investigators will compare individuals with and without bipolar to test whether the two groups differ in how their brains use energy, and to test how the brain's use of energy affects behavior.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2024

open study

mHealth Estimate-based Algorithms Signaling Upcoming Recurrence of Episodes in Bipolar Disorders
VA Office of Research and Development Bipolar Disorder
Veterans with bipolar disorders (BD) experience recurrent and seemingly unpredictable periods of severe impairments in psychosocial functioning, such as participation in social roles and activities. Many effective treatments for BD emphasize early detection of bipolar episodes, in order to make nec1 expand

Veterans with bipolar disorders (BD) experience recurrent and seemingly unpredictable periods of severe impairments in psychosocial functioning, such as participation in social roles and activities. Many effective treatments for BD emphasize early detection of bipolar episodes, in order to make necessary treatment adjustments and prevent psychosocial impairments associated with acute mood episodes. Unfortunately, acute mood episodes in BD are also associated with a decrease in a patient's insight into their own symptoms, which can prevent one's ability to self-report first signs of symptoms and functional declines. Moreover, routine care visits for BD are typically too infrequent to capture and effectively monitor day-to-day changes in a patient's mood and functioning. Objective, low-effort, and continuous methods of tracking symptoms and social participation of Veterans with BD in real-time and in-situ are needed to provide early (i.e., days in advance) warning signs of acute bipolar episodes and functional declines, which in turn would enable well-timed interventions to prevent poor psychosocial outcomes. mHealth refers to the use of mobile and wireless devices as part of patient care and offers many potential opportunities for early detection of and intervention for acute mood states in this population. However, these mHealth approaches have not been investigated in Veterans with BD. In a Small Projects in Rehabilitation Research (SPiRE)-funded pilot study, the investigator team established high feasibility and acceptability of one such innovative passive mHealth approach using a smartphone program, or an app, in a small sample of Veterans with BD to track their smartphone's GPS/location. The pilot study used a priori location context ratings of visited places (e.g., a priori ratings on types of activities usually engaged in at a frequently visited location) to derive unobtrusive measures of social participation (e.g., time spent at work-related locations). The goal of this Merit Review proposal is to establish reliable and valid machine-learning algorithms using the same types of mHealth data to prospectively (days in advance) detect declines in social participation and prospective onset of mania and depression in Veterans with BD. This proposal has three aims: Aim 1. To establish a machine learning algorithm using GPS/location data for predicting prospective declines in social participation in Veterans with BD. Aim 2. To establish machine learning algorithms using GPS/location data for predicting prospective acute BD clinical states. The investigators will explore whether adding more burdensome daily self-report and voice diaries' speech analysis features improves the models' precision using statistical indices of prediction precision or accuracy. Aim 3. To explore clinical implementation of the mHealth-based algorithms in treatment of BD. Focus groups of VA providers and administrators will assess feasibility of algorithms' implementation in clinical care.

Type: Observational

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

Pilot Effectiveness Trial of an ACT Self-help Workbook Tailored Specifically for Prisons
University of Wisconsin, Madison Anxiety Depression Depression, Anxiety Anxiety Disorders
The goal of this research study is to adapt an ACT-self-help workbook to the prison setting and determine the feasibility acceptability, and effectiveness of this workbook. Participants can expect to be in the study for 13 weeks. expand

The goal of this research study is to adapt an ACT-self-help workbook to the prison setting and determine the feasibility acceptability, and effectiveness of this workbook. Participants can expect to be in the study for 13 weeks.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2024

open study

Feasibility and Safety of Ketamine for Suicidal Patients in the Emergency Department
Lindsay Maguire, MD Suicide Suicidal Ideation Depression
There is currently no readily available pharmacologic intervention for suicidal ideation, a true psychiatric emergency, in the Emergency Department (ED). Investigators aim to trial low-dose, intravenous ketamine, a drug with well-established use in treatment-resistant depression, for patients who p1 expand

There is currently no readily available pharmacologic intervention for suicidal ideation, a true psychiatric emergency, in the Emergency Department (ED). Investigators aim to trial low-dose, intravenous ketamine, a drug with well-established use in treatment-resistant depression, for patients who present to the ED with suicidal ideation.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2024

open study

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Exercise Training in Adolescents At-Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
Colorado State University Insulin Resistance Depression Depressive Disorder Mood Disorders Mental Disorder in Adolescence
The investigators are doing this study to learn more about how to prevent type 2 diabetes in teenage girls. The purpose of this study is to find out if taking part in a cognitive-behavioral therapy group, exercise training group, or a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and exercise trainin1 expand

The investigators are doing this study to learn more about how to prevent type 2 diabetes in teenage girls. The purpose of this study is to find out if taking part in a cognitive-behavioral therapy group, exercise training group, or a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and exercise training groups, decreases stress, improves mood, increases physical activity and physical fitness, and decreases insulin resistance among teenagers at risk for diabetes.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2023

open study

Sleep Well Firefighters: An App-based Program to Improve Sleep, Cognition, and Behavioral Health in1
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Sleep Health Stress Anxiety Physical Activity Nutrition
The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of an app-based sleep program designed to help firefighters improve their sleep. expand

The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of an app-based sleep program designed to help firefighters improve their sleep.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2026

open study

Integrative Bilateral Cervical Sympathetic Blocks for Trauma-Related Symptoms in Special Operations1
Reset Medical and Wellness Center PTSD Trauma-related Mental Health Symptoms Moral Injury Anxiety Traumatic Brain Injury
This study prospectively evaluates the effects of Integrative Bilateral Cervical Sympathetic Block (BCSB) on trauma-related symptoms in Special Operations Veterans, comparing outcomes in those receiving BCSB alone versus BCSB combined with structured integrative therapy. Using standardized FDA-appr1 expand

This study prospectively evaluates the effects of Integrative Bilateral Cervical Sympathetic Block (BCSB) on trauma-related symptoms in Special Operations Veterans, comparing outcomes in those receiving BCSB alone versus BCSB combined with structured integrative therapy. Using standardized FDA-approved dosing, validated symptom measures, and strict safety criteria, the study aims to determine whether this dual-level autonomic intervention improves PTSD-related and TBI-related symptoms, and whether pairing the procedure with therapy enhances durability and overall clinical benefit.

Type: Observational [Patient Registry]

Start Date: Mar 2026

open study

Behavioral Health Collaborative Care Model in Post-ICU Clinic Family Pilot
Medical University of South Carolina Critical Illness Recovery Behavioral Health Concerns Anxiety Depression - Major Depressive Disorder PTSD
This pilot study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a Behavioral Health Collaborative Care Model (BH CoCM) for family members of ICU survivors. The intervention includes telehealth-enabled behavioral health assessments and access to the NeuroFlow platform. A subset of parti1 expand

This pilot study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a Behavioral Health Collaborative Care Model (BH CoCM) for family members of ICU survivors. The intervention includes telehealth-enabled behavioral health assessments and access to the NeuroFlow platform. A subset of participants will undergo qualitative interviews.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2026

open study

Exercise-priming of CBT for Depression: the CBT+ Trial
University of Wisconsin, Madison Major Depressive Disorder
This study investigates the effects of intentionally sequencing aerobic exercise immediately prior to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to determine its effects on mechanisms of CBT (i.e., working alliance, behavioral activation). To assess the utility of this treatment augmentation, investigators1 expand

This study investigates the effects of intentionally sequencing aerobic exercise immediately prior to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to determine its effects on mechanisms of CBT (i.e., working alliance, behavioral activation). To assess the utility of this treatment augmentation, investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial involving 100 adults with Major Depressive Disorder who will watch a nature documentary while either resting quietly ( 'CalmCBT') or exercising at a moderate intensity ('ActiveCBT') immediately prior to 8 weekly sessions of CBT.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2026

open study

Self Neuro-modulation Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) With Anhedonia
GrayMatters Health Ltd. Depressive Disorder, Major
The purpose of this research is to learn more about a new treatment for individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with heightened symptoms of anhedonia (i.e. loss of pleasure or interest in activities). The treatment is called Prism, and it is a software device intended for a novel form of n1 expand

The purpose of this research is to learn more about a new treatment for individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with heightened symptoms of anhedonia (i.e. loss of pleasure or interest in activities). The treatment is called Prism, and it is a software device intended for a novel form of neurofeedback training to be used in a clinic setting. During this study, the subject will use different techniques to measure brain activities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2025

open study

Home-Based tDCS Treatment Of Major Depressive Disorder
Sooma Medical Inc Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
The REACH-tDCS study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a noninvasive, at-home self-administered Sooma tDCS brain stimulation treatment for Major Depressive Disorder. The study uses randomized, blinded, placebo controlled design. The participants are assessed with video interviews and self-re1 expand

The REACH-tDCS study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a noninvasive, at-home self-administered Sooma tDCS brain stimulation treatment for Major Depressive Disorder. The study uses randomized, blinded, placebo controlled design. The participants are assessed with video interviews and self-reports during the study, which lasts for 10 weeks followed by an optional continuation period.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jun 2025

open study

Test of Target Engagement of Ambiguity Aversion
Northwestern University Intolerance of Uncertainty Anxiety Intolerance of Uncertainty; Anxiety Depression, Anxiety
The present work aims to test whether a single session intervention alters ambiguity aversion, both in terms of people's decision making and their brain responses to ambiguous choices. expand

The present work aims to test whether a single session intervention alters ambiguity aversion, both in terms of people's decision making and their brain responses to ambiguous choices.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2025

open study

Ketamine for Pain, Opioid Use, and Mental Health in Orthopedic Trauma Patients
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Orthopedic Trauma Surgery Patients Postoperative Pain Opioid Use Depression Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if ketamine, given during surgery, can help improve recovery for adults with serious orthopedic trauma. The study will test whether ketamine reduces pain, lowers the need for opioids, and improves mental health outcomes like depression and post-traumatic1 expand

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if ketamine, given during surgery, can help improve recovery for adults with serious orthopedic trauma. The study will test whether ketamine reduces pain, lowers the need for opioids, and improves mental health outcomes like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The main questions it aims to answer are: Does ketamine reduce pain after surgery compared to standard anesthesia? Does ketamine reduce the amount of opioids patients need for pain control? Does ketamine improve symptoms of depression and PTSD after orthopedic trauma? Researchers will compare patients who receive ketamine during surgery with those who receive standard anesthesia without ketamine to see if ketamine helps improve both physical and psychological recovery. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to receive either a single dose of ketamine or standard anesthesia during surgery. Report their pain using a simple pain scale (Visual Analog Scale, VAS). Complete short surveys about mood and mental health (PHQ-9 for depression and PCL-5 for PTSD) at several time points after surgery. Allow the research team to review their electronic medical records to measure opioid prescriptions during recovery. Attend follow-up visits in clinic or by secure telehealth (e.g., Zoom) at 1-7 days, 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2025

open study

Ketamine Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics for Postpartum Depression and Pain After Cesarean De1
Grace Lim, MD, MS Pain Postpartum Depression
The purpose of this study is to identify pharmacokinetics of postpartum ketamine infusion. This study will assess ketamine kinetics and metabolism in this setting. Ketamine is expected to exert different kinetics during the physiologic state of post-pregnancy. The goal in conducting this study is t1 expand

The purpose of this study is to identify pharmacokinetics of postpartum ketamine infusion. This study will assess ketamine kinetics and metabolism in this setting. Ketamine is expected to exert different kinetics during the physiologic state of post-pregnancy. The goal in conducting this study is to better understand the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of postpartum ketamine infusion. A secondary goal is to compare these kinetics to reproductive age matched controls and to assess sex differences in ketamine pharmacokinetics. The peripartum group of this study will receive ketamine after cesarean delivery, while the control group will consist of non-pregnant female subjects and male subjects receiving the same infusion protocol.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2025

open study

Mobile Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Stroke
Weill Medical College of Cornell University Anxiety Stroke Depression
This study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of "MAYA", a mobile cognitive behavioral therapy app for anxiety and mood disorders, in adults who have had a stroke. expand

This study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of "MAYA", a mobile cognitive behavioral therapy app for anxiety and mood disorders, in adults who have had a stroke.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2025

open study

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Religious OCD
University of Alabama at Birmingham Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
The purpose of the study is to examine the effects and feasibility of a specific form of psychotherapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), on religiously oriented obsessive and compulsive disorder (OCD). expand

The purpose of the study is to examine the effects and feasibility of a specific form of psychotherapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), on religiously oriented obsessive and compulsive disorder (OCD).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2025

open study

Adaptive Coping Skills Training to Improve Psychological Distress Among Cardiorespiratory Failure S1
Duke University Depression Anxiety Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Stress Worries; Pain or Disability
Conditions treated in intensive care units (ICUs) such as the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), congestive heart failure, COVID pneumonia, and sepsis are common. These can lead to high rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD that worsen quality of life. Yet there are few effective strategi1 expand

Conditions treated in intensive care units (ICUs) such as the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), congestive heart failure, COVID pneumonia, and sepsis are common. These can lead to high rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD that worsen quality of life. Yet there are few effective strategies able to overcome barriers of limited access to mental health care. Even less is known about the experiences of patients from racially and ethnically minoritized populations because of they haven't been included well in past research. To address this problem, the investigators developed Blueprint, a mobile app that coaches people to use adaptive coping skills to self-manage their symptoms. The investigators found that it reduced depression symptoms and improved quality of life compared to placebo. To confirm these promising findings, the investigators are doing a formal test of Blueprint. The investigators will enroll 400 people who received ICU care from 4 hospitals (Duke, UCLA, Colorado, and Oregon). These patients will be randomized to receive either the Blueprint mobile app or a special Education Program mobile app the investigators developed. -both delivered through similar mobile app platforms. Our specific aims are to see which program improves symptoms better across 6 months of follow up. This project addresses national research priorities and could advance the field with a personalizable yet population-focused therapy that could be scaled broadly and efficiently to enhance mental health equity.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2024

open study