Effects of an exercise and sport intervention among refugees living in a Greek refugee camp on mental health, physical fitness and cardiovascular risk markers

Effects of an exercise and sport intervention among refugees living in a Greek refugee camp on mental health, physical fitness and cardiovascular risk markers (REMEX)

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN16291983

Enrollment

136

Registered

2021-02-08

Start date

2021-03-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-03-23

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms among refugees living in a Greek refugee camp Mental and Behavioural Disorders Post-traumatic stress disorder

Interventions

The study is designed as a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with an intervention group (IG, who will participate in the exercise and sport activities) and a wait-list control group (WLCG), with a 1:1

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

16 Years to 59 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Informed consent given 2. Aged 16-59 years 3. Living in the selected refugee camp

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Any contra-indications for moderate-intensity physical activity (based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire) 2. Unable to exercise at least two times per week for 60 min at moderate intensity

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms measured using a self-report questionnaire at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Perceived stress measured using self-report questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 2. Depressive symptoms measured using self-report questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 3. Anxiety symptoms measured using self-report questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 4. Insomnia symptoms measured using self-report questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 5. Health-related quality of life measured using self-report questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 6. Pain measured using a visual analogue scale at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 7. Perceived fitness measured using self-report questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 8. Cardiorespiratory fitness measured using a bicycle ergometer test at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 9. Hand grip strength measured using the hand grip strength test at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 10. Physical activity measured using 7-day accelerometry at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 11. Cognitive function measured using computerized tests at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 12. Cardiovascular risk markers: 12.1. Body weight and height measured using a digital weighing scale and a stadiometer at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 12.2. Body composition measured using a bioelectrical impedance analysis at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 12.3. Waist circumference measured using a flexible tape at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 12.4. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured using a digital blood pressure monitor at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 12.5. Anaemia measured using a HemoCue® Hb 301 system at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 12.6. Blood lipids, blood glucose, inflammatory cytokines measured using an Alere point-of-care (PAC) analyser at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 13. Participants socio-demographic background and potential confounders (age, nationality, religious background, marital status, number of children, educational background, time fleeing, time in camp, physical activity level during the past week, and PTSD sy	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Perceived stress measured using self-report questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 2. Depressive symptoms measured using self-report questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 3. Anxiety symptoms measured using self-report questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 4. Insomnia symptoms measured using self-report questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 5. Health-related quality of life measured using self-report questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 6. Pain measured using a visual analogue scale at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 7. Perceived fitness measured using self-report questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 8. Cardiorespiratory fitness measured using a bicycle ergometer test at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 9. Hand grip strength measured using the hand grip strength test at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 10. Physical activity measured using 7-day accelerometry at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 11. Cognitive function measured using computerized tests at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 12. Cardiovascular risk markers: 12.1. Body weight and height measured using a digital weighing scale and a stadiometer at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 12.2. Body composition measured using a bioelectrical impedance analysis at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 12.3. Waist circumference measured using a flexible tape at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 12.4. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure measured using a digital blood pressure monitor at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 12.5. Anaemia measured using a HemoCue® Hb 301 system at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 12.6. Blood lipids, blood glucose, inflammatory cytokines measured using an Alere point-of-care (PAC) analyser at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months 13. Participants socio-demographic background and potential confounders (age, nationality, religious background, marital status, number of children, educational background, time fleeing, time in camp, physical activity level during the past week, and PTSD sy

—

Countries

Greece

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Apr 3, 2026