NCT07610928 · Massachusetts General Hospital
Stress Management and Meditative Movements for Asian Americans With Depression and Physical Symptoms
What this study is about
Many Asian Americans with depression also struggle with physical symptoms-such as pain, fatigue, or other forms of bodily discomfort-that occur at the same time. Right now, there is no proven treatment that effectively addresses both the depression and these physical symptoms together.
View original scientific description
Many Asian Americans with depression also struggle with physical symptoms-such as pain, fatigue, or other forms of bodily discomfort-that occur at the same time. Right now, there is no proven treatment that effectively addresses both the depression and these physical symptoms together. This study will test whether it is practical, acceptable, and safe to combine the Stress Management and Resiliency Training (SMART) program with meditative movements for people who have both major depression and these distressing physical symptoms.
Interventions
BEHAVIORAL
Stress Management and Resiliency Training with Qigong/Tai Chi
The SMART-QTC will be an 8-session online intervention with 1.5-hour weekly sessions that include core elements of SMART, including mind-body practice based on RR training, cognitive behavioral skills, and positive psychological skills, with QTC exercises incorporated at the end of every session.
BEHAVIORAL
Healthy Living Program
The Healthy Living Program is an 8-session program designed to incorporate psychoeducation on a range of key health behaviors and wellness topics, including: the comorbidity between mental and physical illness, sleep, physical exercise, nutrition, and managing health-care needs. The course encourages in-group and at-home self-monitoring and practice of healthy living principles.
Primary outcome measures
Feasibility of Recruitment, Eligibility Criteria, SMART-QTC and Control Interventions, and Videoconferencing Procedures
Time frame: From screening to the end of assessments at week 12
Recruitment feasibility targets are: \>=70% consent to screening, \>=70% meeting screening criteria, \>=70% of eligible individuals enrolling, and enrollment of \>=20 participants/month. Eligibility feasibility will include the proportion ineligible due to each criterion (\<20%), reasons for ineligibility, reasons for refusal, and characteristics of refusers. SMART-QTC and control intervention feasibility will include adherence (\>=75% session attendance), retention (\>=75% completion of post-assessments and \>=70% completion of follow-up assessments), fidelity (checklist score \>=80%), and home practice completion (\>=75% completing home practice at least 3 days/week). Videoconferencing feasibility will include \<20% dropped connections, \<20% missed sessions due to technical problems, mean number of technical problems \<2.0, types of technical problems, and \<20% requesting extra training, type of extra training needed.
Acceptability of SMART-QTC and Control Interventions and Videoconferencing Procedures
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of assessments at week 12
Acceptability of SMART-QTC and control interventions will be assessed using post-session surveys, post-intervention surveys, exit interviews, and follow-up surveys. Outcomes include session satisfaction, helpfulness, enjoyment, relevance, and utility of each session component rated on a 5-point scale (1=not at all to 5=very much; mean \>=3.75). Overall program satisfaction, likelihood of continued skill use, and willingness to recommend the program to others will also target mean ratings \>=3.75 on a 5-point scale. Exit interviews will assess likes, dislikes, and suggestions for improvement. \>=60% of participants continuing meditation practice at follow-up. Videoconferencing acceptability will include ease and confidence of use (1=not at all, 5=extremely, mean \>=3.75), interference of technical problems (1=none, 5=extreme, mean \<1.0), audiovisual quality and overall satisfaction (1=poor, 5=excellent, mean\>=3.75), and pros and cons and suggestions for improvement.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Self-identify as being of Asian ethnicity
- English language proficiency
- Be ≥18 years of age
- Satisfy DSM-5 criteria for MDD prior to the initiation of the study intervention, as determined by a clinical interview conducted by the Principal Investigator (PI) during screening using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.
- A baseline of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Depression score ≥ 16
- A baseline score of PHQ-15 ≥10
- Have not had Tai Chi/Qigong training/practice or other forms of mind-body intervention (e.g. yoga, mindfulness training, muscle relaxation training, etc) more than once a week in the past 3 months
- A total score 24 or higher in Mini-Mental Status Examination for cognitive ability (if the participant endorses a history of cognitive impairment).
- Willing to keep any psychiatric medications and psychotherapy stable throughout the course of the study (from Week 0 baseline to Week 12 Follow-up)
- Have access to a device (i.e., smartphone, iPad, personal computer) and a stable network to attend the online group sessions
- Ability to perform daily physical activity
Exclusion criteria
- Have a primary psychiatric diagnosis other than MDD
- Any history of psychosis, mania, or impulsivity and difficulty relating to people and judged by the clinician not appropriate for group intervention
- Active eating disorder or substance use disorder within the last 6 months
- Any relevant medical conditions that may be the medical basis of depression including thyroid diseases, epilepsy, history of an abnormal EEG, severe head trauma, or stroke
- Have serious uncontrolled medical conditions (e.g. poorly controlled diabetes, severe congestive heart failure), or other medical conditions that in the opinion of the investigators represents a risk to the subject, including presence of a pacemaker, cardiac arrhythmia, fever, weakness and hypotension, or vagal nerve stimulator
- current active suicidal or self-injurious potential (i.e., PHQ-9 item 9 ≥1 and/or a positive response to C-SSRS screener items 3, 4, 5, or 6), and assessed by the clinician necessitating immediate treatment
- Participant who are or who plan to receive confounding treatments (including treatment of endocrinopathies): use of antidepressants, complementary and alternative medical (CAM) treatments thought to have beneficial effects on mood, including St. John's Wort, S-Adenosyl methionine (SAMe), omega-3 fatty acids, light therapy, conventional psychotherapy, mind-body interventions (e.g. Qigong, mindfulness training, muscle relaxation training, etc.)
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) during the last year as these patients are often among the more refractory and are not optimal candidates for CAM
- History of refractory to treatment with ≥3 failed antidepressant trials in current depressive episode
- Participated in other depression-related clinical trials within the past 3 months
- Antidepressant or psychiatric medications that are initiated less than 8 weeks or a dose change less than 4 weeks prior to screening visit
- Psychotherapy that has been initiated within the past 3 months
Where
- Boston, Massachusetts
Collaborators
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Oct 7, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations