Exercise as medicine: new trial tests HIIT for mental health recovery
NCT ID NCT06338917
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a 28-week program of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, including high-intensity interval training, can reduce disability and improve thinking in 100 adults with severe mental illness. Participants are outpatients living in the community. The program starts with group HIIT and transitions to individual activity. Results will be compared to usual care.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- moderate-to-vigorous physical activity program (HIIT and VILPA)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a practical, drug-free way to help people with severe mental illness feel better and function more in daily life.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 100 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Exercise programs can be hard to stick with, and benefits may vary.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 100 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2024
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 69 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
* Outpatients (non-hospitalised) registered in one of two mental health services. * SMI diagnosis, according to the 5th edition of the 5th Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) \[52\]. * Living in the community * Not having any contraindications or medical risk to MVPA. * Age 18 to 69 years. * Willing and able to provide informed consent.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Vic
Vic, Barcelona, 08500, Spain
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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