Effect of Exercise on Tapering Antipsychotics in Patients With Psycho-cardiological Disease(EXTRA-study)

Launched by GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL PEOPLE'S HOSPITAL · Jun 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether exercise can help people with both heart problems and depression or anxiety reduce their need for antipsychotic medications, which are often used to treat these mental health symptoms. People with heart disease frequently experience depression and anxiety, and while medications can help, they sometimes come with side effects and don’t always fully relieve symptoms. Exercise has been shown to improve mood and mental health safely, so this study wants to see if adding regular exercise can make it easier to lower or stop these medications, improving overall health and quality of life.

To join this study, participants need to be between 18 and 70 years old, have a diagnosed heart condition (like heart failure or coronary artery disease), and have been using certain antidepressant medications for at least six months. The study is looking for people who have depression or anxiety and are willing to take part in exercise sessions and follow-up visits. If accepted, participants can expect to engage in a structured exercise program designed to improve their heart and mental health while doctors carefully monitor their medication use. This research could help create better, more personalized treatments for people managing both heart disease and mental health symptoms.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Diagnosed with depression/anxiety;
• • 2. Continued use of SSris and SNris for six months prior to study start;
• • 3. Aged between 18 and 70;
• • 4. Confirmed cardiovascular disease (such as chronic stable coronary heart disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, valvular heart disease, cardiac surgery, cardiac intervention, ischemia with non-obstructive coronary artery disease, etc.);
• • 5. The patients voluntarily participated in the study, signed a written informed consent, and were willing to cooperate with the follow-up.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. currently has mania or hypomania, or a history of bipolar disorder and any mental disorders (current and previous);
• • 2. organic brain injury, etc., or serious non-cardiovascular system diseases (such as advanced cancer);
• • 3. Unable to participate in sports training or have drug contraindications;
• • 4. Current alcohol, drug abuse, drug use or suicidal intent;
• • 5. Patients who were receiving other doses of eligible drugs and other antidepressants were excluded from the trial;
• • 6. Myocardial infarction \<2 weeks or unstable angina attack period;
• • 7. Severe and uncontrolled arrhythmia;
• • 8. Acute heart failure stage;
• • 9. Severe and symptomatic obstruction of the outflow tract;
• • 10. Acute deep vein thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism;
• • 11. Acute myocarditis, pericarditis or endocarditis;
• • 12. Acute aortic dissection;
• • 13. Intracardiac thrombus with high risk of embolism;
• • 14. Massive pericardial effusion;
• • 15. Those who fail to exercise adequately or refuse to sign informed consent.