Climbing high: a mixed-methods feasibility study of climbing therapy for major depressive disorder in Ireland

Climbing therapy offers a promising therapeutic strategy for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

A single-arm feasibility study of a 10-week manualised climbing therapy group programme for people diagnosed with DSM-5 MDD of at least moderate severity was conducted. Feasibility (measured by retention, adherence, acceptability, and tolerability) was the primary outcome. The Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (NGSE), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were completed one week before the intervention began (baseline/week 0) and post-intervention (week 11). Semi-structured interviews with participants and facilitators and were conducted and analysed using Thematic Analysis.

Out of a total of 12 participants, 9 completed the intervention. The mean age (SD) was 37.56 (7.86) years. The overall attendance rate was 88%, and there were no serious adverse events. The mean (SD) MADRS scores at baseline and week 11 were 25.67 (5.26) and 17.11 (8.25), p = 0.01; PHQ-9, 17.56 (3.87) and 13.78 (5.91), p = 0.07; PANAS-Positive, 18.78 (5.35) and 24.33 (8.50), p = 0.04; PANAS-Negative, 28.22 (10.26) and 27.33 (10.96), p = 0.76; GAD-7, 12.00 (4.09) and 10.11 (6.60), p = 0.22; NGSE, 21.78 (5.86) and 25.44 (6.22), p = 0.02; PSS, 25.78 (5.06) and 25.44 (7.00), p = 0.81. Achievement, confidence, and social connectedness were identified as key themes from the semi-structured interviews.

A climbing therapy programme for adults with MDD was feasible, acceptable and well-tolerated. Preliminary clinical findings encourage further investigation in a larger trial.