Indoor rock climbing (bouldering) as a new treatment for depression
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN17623318 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17623318 |
| Protocol serial number | N/A |
| Sponsor | Psychiatric University Hospital Erlangen (Germany) |
| Funder | Universitätsklinikum Erlangen |
- Submission date
- 15/07/2015
- Registration date
- 24/07/2015
- Last edited
- 18/08/2023
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
We are carrying out a study to investigate the effects of a bouldering treatment on patients with depression. Bouldering is defined as rock climbing to moderate heights (up to around four metres) without rope. The study aims to develop a manual for an eight-week treatment that integrates psychotherapeutic interventions in a bouldering group setting and to assess the effects of a bouldering treatment on people with depression.
Who can participate?
Adults with depression. The study is not restricted to a certain age range.
What does the study involve?
All participants receive the bouldering treatment. The treatment takes place for three hours once a week over a period of eight weeks. Patients are randomly assigned to two groups (intervention vs. waiting list). At first, the intervention group receives the treatment and after eight weeks of treatment the groups change and the waiting list group also receives the treatment. Every 8 weeks for 24 weeks, the patients complete several questionnaires concerning their psychological well-being.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Those participating in the study receive a free eight week physical activity programme estimated to have beneficial effects on physical and psychological well-being. In the long run we hope to find an effective supplementary treatment for depression. Another advantage is the implementation of the treatment in a group setting which is more cost-efficient in comparison to individual treatment. Additionally, we expect to gain evidence-based understanding on treatment programmes. The highest risk for participants would be a sport injury which is expected to be very unlikely. A current study on the incidence of climbing-associated injuries found that the average was 0.2 injuries per 1,000 h of outdoor rock climbing. In a supervised indoor bouldering setting, this should be even less, but of course all participants must adhere to the safety rules given by the therapists, and therapists must be trained in climbing safety.
Where is the study run from?
University Hospital Erlangen (Germany)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2013 to September 2015
Who is funding the study?
University Hospital Erlangen (Germany)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Katharina Luttenberger
katharina.luttenberger@uk-erlangen.de
Contact information
Scientific
Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Erlangen
Schwabachanlage 6
Erlangen
91054
Germany
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomized waitlist-controlled pilot study |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Indoor rock climbing (bouldering) as a new treatment for depression: Study design of a waitlist-controlled randomized group pilot study (Klettern Und Stimmung: Bouldern als neuer Behandlungsbaustein für Menschen mit Depression) |
| Study acronym | KuS |
| Study objectives | Bouldering might be a valuable additional therapy for people with depression. In this pilot study we intend to develop a manual for an eight-week interventional program that integrates psychotherapeutic interventions in a bouldering group setting. We hypothesize that patients undergoing the bouldering treatment might reduce their depression scores to a greater extent than patients in the waitlist group, undergoing their individual treatment (TAU). Additionally a number of other depression related symptoms will be evaluated in explorative analyses. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Ethics committee of the medical faculty, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, 15/05/2013, ref: 99_13 B |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Depression |
| Intervention | The study is conducted as a randomised waitlist-controlled pilot study with an intervention period of 8 weeks. Both groups (intervention and waitlist) take part in the intervention program but with a delay for the waitlist group of 2 months. During the whole time both groups are free to take part in their individual treatment (e.g. medication, psychotherapy), prescribed by their physicians. These treatments that are not influenced by the study. The bouldering treatment consists of a 8-week manual on depression related problems and is held once a week for 3h each session. Each session starts and ends with a short mindfulness-based meditation and has a specific topic such as "fear and coping with it", "own limitations", "how to achieve personal goals" etc. These topics are worked with in specific bouldering-plays as for example climbing blindfolded, feeling support from others etc. The therapy is held in groups of about 12 patients with two therapists. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
The BDI-II is used to measure the intensity of depression. Measured at baseline (t0), after 8 weeks (t1), 16 weeks (t2), and 24 weeks (t3). |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. SCL-90-R (global intensity of psychological symptoms and distress) |
| Completion date | 30/09/2015 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 80 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Diagnosis of depression by a psychiatrist or less than 13 points on the WHO depression scale, 2. Informed consent 3. Having free time on Thursday mornings during the intervention period 4. BMI between 18.5 and 35 |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Undergoing in-patient treatment during either the intervention or the waiting periods 2. Acute suicidality or psychosis 3. Medical contraindication against sport, determined by a GP or psychiatrist |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/06/2013 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/10/2014 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Germany
Study participating centre
91054
Germany
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 25/08/2015 | Yes | No | |
| Results article | 07/12/2019 | 18/08/2023 | Yes | No | |
| Results article | 23/03/2018 | 18/08/2023 | Yes | No | |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
18/08/2023: Publication references added.
22/02/2016: added publication reference.
