Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial for the effectiveness of psychomotor therapy on quality of life and psychomotor skills in depression

Psychomotor disturbances, such as cognitive-motor and sensory deficits, are well documented in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Although they impact quality of life, they remain insufficiently assessed and targeted in clinical practice. Psychomotor therapy (PMT) appears promising for improving functioning and quality of life, but strong evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCT) in adults with MDD is still lacking. This multicenter, prospective RCT aims to assess the effectiveness of a PMT on the quality of life and psychomotor functioning in adults with MDD. 128 participants diagnosed with MDD will be randomized into either the intervention group (GP) or the control group (GC). The GP will receive 12-weeks of a PMT in addition to standard care, while the GC will receive standard care with a weekly telephone follow-up. Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychomotor data will be collected at baseline and then again at 1, 3, and 6 months to serve as primary and secondary outcome measures. These data will be used to evaluate improvements in quality of life, as well as changes in depressive and anxiety symptoms, psychomotor slowing, anhedonia, self-esteem, and overall psychomotor functioning, including body image, interoception, and sensory processing. Therapeutic alliance and adherence to the PMT will also be monitored throughout the intervention. This study is the first RCT assessing the benefits of PMT on the quality of life of MDD patients. This study could justify the prescription of PMT for patients with depression and support the inclusion of psychomotor therapists in multidisciplinary teams in adult psychiatry. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06234176 on 2024–01-15