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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06808490

Exercise and Endocannabinoids for Brain and Mental Health

This study will explore how exercise affects brain chemicals called endocannabinoids, which may improve thinking skills and reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and low mood in children and teens aged 9 to 17. Participants will take part in a single 30-minute activity session, where they will be randomly assigned to one of three groups:

1. Moderate-intensity exercise (walking or running on a treadmill at 50-70% of their maximum heart rate). 2. Light stretching (gentle movements at less than 40% of their maximum heart rate). 3. Seated meditation (relaxing without movement at less than 30% of their maximum heart rate).

The investigators will measure endocannabinoid levels, thinking skills, and mood before and after the activity to see how these activities affect the brain and emotions.

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Key information

Conditions

Children Adolescents Anxiety Disorders Behavior Mental Disorders Motor Activity

Age range

9 year–17 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Tolan Park Medical Building

Detroit, Michigan, 48201, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Provision of signed and dated informed consent form
  • Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and available for the duration of the study
  • 9-17 years of age
  • Adolescent and parent/guardian are English-speaking, as study assessments are in English
  • Right-handed

Exclusion criteria

  • Head injury
  • Sensory (e.g., hearing) impairment
  • Physical (e.g., motor, balance) impairment
  • Physical disabilities
  • Neurological disorders
  • Any condition that would contraindicate blood draws

Treatment and study plan

Moderate Intensity Exercise

Behavioral

Participants randomized to the moderate intensity exercise condition will complete a 30 min session on a motor driven treadmill. Participants will complete a 3-minute warm-up at low speed on a treadmill. Speed and incline will be increased in 3-minute increments until moderate-intensity exercise, defined as the goal of participants staying within a target zone of 50-70% AAMHR while briskly walking and/or jogging depending on current fitness status.

Light Intensity Stretching

Behavioral

Participants randomized into the light stretching condition will complete a 30-minute video, tailored for 9-17-year-olds. This video leads participants through a series of seated arm, torso, leg, knee and shoulder stretches on a yoga mat. Participants will be monitored throughout the stretching session by a trained research assistant, and HR and perceived exertion will also be measured throughout. The research assistant may make modifications to the poses in real-time to ensure that AAMHR is kept below 40%.

Seated Meditation

Behavioral

Participants randomized into the meditation condition will complete a 30-minute video, tailored for 9-17-year-olds. This video leads participants through a seated guided meditation on a yoga mat. This includes a series of breathing, visualization, and body awareness exercises. Participants will be monitored throughout the meditation session by a trained research assistant, and HR and perceived exertion will also be measured throughout, to ensure that AAMHR is kept below 30%.

Primary outcomes

  1. Endocannabinoid (eCB) Concentrations

    Time frame: Within 30 minutes before and after exercise or control conditions

    Plasma and saliva samples will be collected immediately before and after exercise or control conditions. Samples will be analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to quantify concentrations of eCBs.

  2. Cognitive performance (Dimensional Change Card Sort Test)

    Time frame: Within 30 minutes before and after exercise or control conditions

    The NIH Toolbox® iPad application will be administered to measure executive functioning before and after the exercise or control condition: Dimensional Change Card Sort Test (DCCS).

  3. Cognitive performance (Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test)

    Time frame: Within 30 minutes before and after exercise or control conditions

    The NIH Toolbox® iPad application will be administered to measure executive functioning before and after the exercise or control condition: Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test (Flanker).

  4. Cognitive performance (Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test)

    Time frame: Within 30 minutes before and after exercise or control conditions

    The NIH Toolbox® iPad application will be administered to measure executive functioning before and after the exercise or control condition: Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test (PCT).

  5. Cognitive performance (Picture Sequence Memory Test)

    Time frame: Within 30 minutes before and after exercise or control conditions

    The NIH Toolbox® iPad application will be administered to measure executive functioning before and after the exercise or control condition: Picture Sequence Memory Test (PSMT).

  6. Anxiety symptoms

    Time frame: Within 30 minutes before and after exercise or control conditions

    State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for children

  7. Affect

    Time frame: Within 30 minutes before and after exercise or control conditions

    Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) - Child Version

  8. Mood state

    Time frame: Within 30 minutes before and after exercise or control conditions

    Mood and Feelings Questionnaire for Children

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Wayne State University

Other

Registry information

Acronym: EMBH

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Feb 5, 2025
Registry last updated
Feb 5, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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