Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Disorders

(ETC Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+12 other locations

Overseen by Jasper Smits, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The current study seeks to test differences between a single-session large-group format of standard exposure, enhanced exposure, and a control condition in treating anxiety sensitivity. It is hypothesized that 1) participants assigned to either exposure condition will evidence greater reductions in anxiety sensitivity from pre-treatment to posttreatment relative to those in the control condition; 2) participants assigned to the enhanced exposure condition will evidence greater reductions in anxiety sensitivity from pre-treatment to posttreatment relative to those in the standard exposure condition. The investigators will test putative moderators and mechanisms of action. Prior to initiating the study for purposes of data analyses, the investigators will pilot study procedures during Spring 2020.

Research Team

Jasper Smits, PhD

Principal Investigator

The University of Texas at Austin

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for students aged 18-70 enrolled in an introductory psychology course with high anxiety sensitivity (score ≥ 23 on ASI-3). It's not suitable for those with neurological disorders, current pregnancy, respiratory or cardiovascular conditions like asthma or high blood pressure, or medical issues that could affect exposure therapy participation.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 18 and 70 years old.

Elevated anxiety sensitivity (total ASI-3 score ≥ 23)

Students currently enrolled in an introductory psychology course

Exclusion Criteria

I have health issues like ear or back problems that could affect my participation in certain therapy sessions.

I have a history of neurological disorders like epilepsy.

I have a history of asthma or high blood pressure.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Enhanced Exposure (Behavioral Intervention)
• Standard Exposure (Behavioral Intervention)
• Stress Management Training (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial Overview The study compares a single-session large-group standard exposure therapy to enhanced exposure and a control condition. The goal is to see which method better reduces anxiety sensitivity. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups.

Participant Groups

Group I: Enhanced Exposure Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Psychoeducation about exposure therapy and anxiety sensitivity, interoceptive exposure therapy modeling and practice, and post-exposure processing aimed at emphasizing harm expectancy violation

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

General stress reduction based on stress management training to help people cope with feelings of anxiety, used as an active control condition

Group III: Standard Exposure Active Control 1 Intervention

Psychoeducation about exposure therapy and anxiety sensitivity, interoceptive exposure therapy modeling and practice, and completion of questions about the exercises and the large-group aspect

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Texas at Austin

Lead Sponsor

Trials

387

Recruited

86,100+

Dr. Elly Barry

University of Texas at Austin

Chief Medical Officer

MD from Harvard Medical School

Dr. Brian Windsor

University of Texas at Austin

Chief Executive Officer since 2023

PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Texas at Austin

University of Göttingen

Collaborator

Trials

69

Recruited

43,500+

Michael Bauer

University of Göttingen

Chief Executive Officer since 2020

PhD in Agricultural Science from the University of Göttingen, Germany

Elke Bestel

University of Göttingen

Chief Medical Officer since 2022

MD from Georg-August University in Göttingen, Germany

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Collaborator

Trials

1,588

Recruited

4,364,000+

Dr. Peggy P. McNaull

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Chief Medical Officer

MD from Louisiana State University School of Medicine

Dr. Lynne Fiscus

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Chief Executive Officer since 2020

MD from Georgetown University, MPH from UNC

University of Miami

Collaborator

Trials

976

Recruited

423,000+

Sylvia Daunert

University of Miami

Chief Executive Officer since 2011

PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kentucky

Bahar Motlagh

University of Miami

Chief Medical Officer since 2021

PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Montreal

University of Mississippi, Oxford

Collaborator

Trials

13

Recruited

840+

Ruhr University of Bochum

Collaborator

Trials

170

Recruited

365,000+

Dr. Florian Muellershausen

Ruhr University of Bochum

Chief Executive Officer since 2023

PhD in Biochemistry from Ruhr University Bochum

Dr. Jens Würthner

Ruhr University of Bochum

Chief Medical Officer

MD and PhD from University of Hamburg

Boston University

Collaborator

Trials

494

Recruited

9,998,000+

Sophie Kornowski

Boston University

Chief Executive Officer since 2022

MBA from the University of Chicago, Doctorate in Pharmacy from Paris Descartes University

Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni

Boston University

Chief Medical Officer

MD from McGill University

Fordham University

Collaborator

Trials

21

Recruited

4,100+

The University of New South Wales

Collaborator

Trials

122

Recruited

229,000+

Sarah Lightfoot

The University of New South Wales

Chief Executive Officer

Master of International Education

Dr. Neil Graham

The University of New South Wales

Chief Medical Officer since 2020

MBBS, MD, MPH from University of Adelaide

Southern Methodist University

Collaborator

Trials

37

Recruited

6,000+