Comparing two therapies for treating anxiety disorders

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to compare two distinct interventions for treating pathological anxiety: Interoceptive Exposure (IE), which involves exposure to bodily sensations associated with anxiety, and Capnometry-Guided Respiratory Intervention (CGRI), which focuses on increasing carbon dioxide levels to alleviate anxiety symptoms. A third group will receive psycho-education about anxiety as a control. The study will assess the effectiveness of these interventions in reducing anxiety sensitivity and improving overall mental health. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups to evaluate the outcomes.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Clinically elevated anxiety as indicated by an eight or higher on the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS).
2. Meets DSM-5 criteria for one or more of the following anxiety or trauma-related disorders as their "primary" mental disorder:

   * Generalized Anxiety Disorder
   * Panic Disorder
   * Health Anxiety
   * Agoraphobia
   * Social Anxiety Disorder
   * Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
   * Acute Stress Disorder
   * Adjustment Disorder with primary anxious mood
   * Anxiety disorder not otherwise specified
3. No current use of psychotropic medications or stable on current medications for at least 6 weeks
4. Age 18+.
5. Able to arrange transportation to our laboratory for study appointments.
6. Fluent in English.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. No history of medical conditions that would contraindicate participation in fear-provocation or respiratory challenges, including:

   * Cardiovascular or respiratory disorders
   * High blood pressure
   * Epilepsy
   * Strokes
   * Seizures
   * History of fainting
   * Pregnant or lactating
2. Not currently receiving other psychological treatment for anxiety.
3. No history of a suicide attempt within the past 6 months.
4. No history of psychosis within the past 6 months.
5. No history of moderate to severe alcohol or substance use disorder (with the exception of nicotine) within the past 3 months.
6. Does not endorse COVID-19 symptoms during the screening phase.

Where it's running

• University of Texas at Austin
  Austin, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Michael J Telch, PhD
• Email: telch@austin.utexas.edu
• Phone: 512-814-5480

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Mindful Self-Compassion delivered in person versus by video for anxiety and depression

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• Mindful Self-Compassion training for anxiety and depression

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  Recruiting Georgetown University · Washington D.C., District of Columbia · NCT05671419

• Stepped versus stratified care for anxiety in children and adolescents

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  Recruiting Region Skane · Lund · NCT06942429

• Team-delivered exposure-based CBT for children and teens with anxiety and OCD

  This test tries three ways of delivering team-based exposure-focused CBT—in-person, by telehealth, or a flexible mix—to see which works best for kids and teens (ages 5–18) with anxiety or OCD.

  Recruiting Bradley Hospital · East Providence, Rhode Island · NCT06934525

• Using a smartphone app for exposure therapy in anxiety disorders

  This study is testing whether using a smartphone app can make exposure therapy more effective for people with anxiety compared to traditional therapy alone.

  Recruiting Universitat Jaume I · Castellon, Castellón · NCT06788119

• Online cognitive behavioral therapy for children and adolescents with anxiety

  This project will test whether an internet-delivered CBT program can help children and teens with anxiety feel less anxious.

  Recruiting Lund University · Kalmar, Region Kalmar Län · NCT06661460

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.