Can a 5-Session therapy ease student stress? new trial aims to find out

NCT ID NCT07506148

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study compares two group therapies for university students aged 18-28 who have moderate anxiety and depression. One group receives Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which teaches skills to accept difficult emotions and live according to personal values. The other group gets a supportive, non-directive therapy that provides empathy and listening. The goal is to see which approach better reduces emotional symptoms and improves flexibility in thinking. The trial involves 48 participants and uses questionnaires, daily phone surveys, and interviews to measure results.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - a type of talk therapy that helps people accept difficult feelings and act on what matters to them

What this could lead to

If ACT works better than general support groups, it could give universities an effective, short-term therapy option for students struggling with anxiety and depression.

What could go wrong

This is a small early-stage trial with only 48 students, so results may not apply to everyone. Both groups might improve, making it hard to tell if ACT is truly better.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety anxiety disorder Depression depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Universidad de Montevideo

    RECRUITING

    Montevideo, Montevideo Department, 11600, Uruguay

    Contact