Step by Step Back - A Feasibility Study of a Physical Activity Intervention for Adults With Stress-related Exhaustion

Summary

The goal of this clinical study is to learn whether a psychologist- or psychotherapist-guided physical activity program can be delivered and used as part of regular care for adults experiencing stress-related exhaustion. The program is designed to be integrated into regular psychological treatment as usual and supports participants in developing physical activity habits in a gradual, individualized, and sustainable way.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

* Can participants complete the program and attend the planned sessions?
* Do participants and clinicians find the program acceptable, relevant, and useful?
* Is the program safe, and do any negative experiences occur during the program?
* What practical barriers and facilitators affect participation and delivery in routine care?
* What descriptive patterns of change are seen in physical activity, symptoms, and everyday functioning from before to after the program?

The program is based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). It includes strategies to help participants set meaningful goals, take step-by-step actions toward those goals, and respond more flexibly to uncomfortable thoughts, emotions, and body sensations that may arise in relation to physical activity.

About 12 to 20 participants will take part. The program is designed to be integrated into about 5 to 6 individual sessions delivered over a flexible time period, depending on each participant's pace and circumstances.

Participants will:

* Take part in the physical activity program as part of their regular psychological treatment
* Complete online questionnaires before and after the program
* Log their physical activity during the program
* Provide feedback after the program (and some participants will also take part in an interview)

The results will be used to assess whether the program is feasible and acceptable for participants and clinicians and to inform further refinement and future evaluation.

Conditions

• Exhaustion Disorder
• Stress-Related Disorders

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

CBT/ACT-based psychologist-delivered physical activity program

A structured psychologist-delivered physical activity program integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles. It supports individuals with stress-related exhaustion in developing sustainable and value-based ways of being physically active. Core components include psychoeducation about fatigue and recovery, clarification of personal values, goal setting, and graded behavioral activation tailored to individual needs. The program consists of approximately 5-6 individual sessions, delivered by licensed psychologists over a flexible time period depending on the participant's pace and circumstances. Each session covers key themes such as understanding exhaustion and physical activity, identifying barriers and values, planning and adjusting activity, addressing unhelpful thoughts and emotions, and a flexible approach to physical activity (e.g. mode, frequency, duration, intensity). Between sessions, participants complete home exercises.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Itrim

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Avonova

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Victoria Blom, Professor · Department of Physical Activity and Health, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden.

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

64 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-11-13

Primary Completion

2026-10-01

Completion

2026-10-01

Countries

• Sweden

Study Locations