In-vivo exposure therapy for Panic Attacks

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Alicia E Meuret, Ph.D.

Research Sponsored by Southern Methodist University

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

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

Must have

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up pre (week 0), mid (week 5), post (week 9), follow-up (week 17)

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

The primary goal of the present study is to identify mechanisms of therapeutic change of two theoretically contrasting therapeutic procedures: The first phase consists of comparing the outcome of the capnometry-assisted breathing therapy (BRT) with cognitive restructuring (CT). During the second phase participants of both interventions will undergo in-vivo exposure.

Eligible Conditions

Panic Attacks

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ pre (week 0), mid (week 5), post (week 9), follow-up (week 17)

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~pre (week 0), mid (week 5), post (week 9), follow-up (week 17)

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and pre (week 0), mid (week 5), post (week 9), follow-up (week 17) for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Change in panic symptom severity assessed by the Panic Disorder Severity Scale/CGI

Secondary study objectives

Cortisol assessments collecting 8 saliva samples per day

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

3Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: In-vivo exposure therapyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

In this two-phase intervention, patients were randomized (within each site) to first receive five individual, weekly, 1-hr sessions of respiratory skill training (CART) or cognitive skill training (CT; Phase I, Skill Acquisition Training), followed by three weekly sessions of in-vivo exposure (Phase II, Application Training) plus a fourth session at 2-month follow-up.

Group II: Cognitive TherapyActive Control1 Intervention

The training included four components: (a) educating patients about exacerbating panic symptoms through catastrophic thoughts (vicious cycle), (b) identifying negative cognitions associated with physical sensation triggers of recent panic attacks, (c) practicing replacement of maladaptive cognitions with non catastrophic explanations, and (d) instructing patients in between session exercises during Phase I.

Group III: Capnometry-Assisted Respiratory TrainingActive Control1 Intervention

The training included four components: (a) educating patients about the exacerbation of panic symptoms through hypocapnia; (b) directing patients' attention to potentially detrimental respiratory patterns; (c) teaching patients techniques to control their respiration, in particular end-tidal PCO2; and (d) instructing patients in between-session exercises. Between-session exercises using a portable capnometer were to be performed twice a day for 17 min at home or elsewhere during Phase I.

Treatment

First Studied

Drug Approval Stage

How many patients have taken this drug

In-vivo exposure

2004

N/A

~50

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out