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Exercise Intensity for Anxiety

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Kristin Szuhany, PhD

Research Sponsored by NYU Langone Health

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Primary psychiatric diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder, or panic disorder

Males and females ages 18-65

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up week 1, week 4, week 8, week 12, week 20

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial will test the effects of two different types of exercise on people with anxiety disorders and high anxiety sensitivity. The first group will do low intensity exercise while the second group will do high intensity exercise. The trial will use heart rate as an objective mechanistic target for exercise intensity, examine changes in valuation of exercise through a neuroeconomics task, examine changes in interoceptive sensitivity with a heartbeat detection task, and integrate of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to measure effects of immediate changes in mood with exercise on anxiety outcomes and adherence.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for sedentary adults aged 18-65 with high anxiety sensitivity and a primary diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or panic disorder. Participants must have a BMI under 40 and exercise less than an hour per week. Those with recent eating disorders, substance abuse, bipolar or psychotic disorders, high suicide risk, or current PTSD cannot join.

What is being tested?

The study compares the effects of low intensity exercise versus gradually increasing to high intensity exercise on individuals with anxiety disorders over 8 weeks. It includes follow-ups at one and three months post-treatment and uses heart rate monitoring and other tasks to understand how mood changes affect anxiety outcomes.

What are the potential side effects?

While not explicitly listed in the provided information, typical side effects from starting an exercise regimen can include muscle soreness, fatigue, increased heart rate during activity, joint stress if not done properly; however these are generally mild and decrease as fitness improves.