Assessing stress and stress responses in real-time
Real-Time Assessment of Stress and Stress Response
This study is testing how healthy people and those with mental health issues respond to stress in real life to see if new digital tools can help us understand and treat stress better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 120 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Psychiatric University Hospital, Zurich Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Zürich) |
| Trial ID | NCT04100213 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the physiological and psychological responses to stress using the Trier Social Stress Test in both healthy individuals and patients with major psychiatric disorders. By employing digital phenotyping techniques, the research aims to identify reliable digital biomarkers that reflect stress reactions in controlled and real-life settings. The findings could enhance our understanding of stress and inform better diagnostic and treatment strategies for stress-related conditions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals diagnosed with cluster C personality disorders, depressive disorders, schizophrenia, or those without current psychiatric disorders who are right-handed and proficient in German.
Not a fit: Patients with current neurological, cardiovascular, or respiratory disorders, as well as those with substance use issues or recent medication changes, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved diagnostic tools and treatment approaches for individuals experiencing stress-related psychiatric disorders.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using digital phenotyping for stress assessment is gaining traction, this specific application in a controlled setting is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants are competent to give informed consent. * Participants are right handed * German language proficiency as a native speaker or level B1 * Diagnosis of a cluster C personality disorder according to ICD-10; or * Diagnosis of depressive disorder according to ICD-10; or * Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to ICD-10; or * Without a current psychiatric disorder. Exclusion Criteria: * Low Intelligence as confirmed by failure to complete regular compulsory education. * Pregnancy or over two weeks delay in the menstrual cycle. * Previous participation in a psychological trial involving psychosocial stress assessment. * Current neurological disorder. * Current cardiovascular disorder. * Current respiratory disorder. * Current substance use or withdrawal. * Any change in medication in the previous week.
Where this trial is running
Zürich
- Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Zürich — Zürich, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Stephan T. Egger, MD
- Email: stephan.egger@puk.zh.ch
- Phone: +41523049340
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.