Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 4 Interventional Ages 18 to 40

Effects of medications on performance after spider exposure

Official title: The Effects of Propranolol and Hydrocortisone on Military-Relevant Performance Outcomes: A Randomized, Blinded, Placebo Controlled Study

Run by Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) · NCT06982183 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing whether three different medications can help people with a fear of spiders perform better after experiencing a stressful situation.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 40 Years
SexAll
Enrollment88 (estimated)
SponsorWalter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR)
Federal
Drugs / interventionsimmunotherapy
Locations1 site (Silver Spring, Maryland)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMay 27, 2025
Main results expectedSeptember 2026
Study endsSeptember 2026
Registry record updatedMay 13, 2026
Trial IDNCT06982183 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are healthy males and non-pregnant females aged 18 to 40 with a significant fear of spiders.

Probably not a fit

Patients with a history of allergic reactions to the study medications or spider bites may not benefit from this study.

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 evaluates how three FDA-approved medications—propranolol, hydrocortisone, and morphine—affect cognitive, emotional, and motor performance in healthy adults with a fear of spiders after exposure to a stressful situation. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of the medications or a placebo, and their performance will be measured using the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT). The study aims to determine if these medications can mitigate performance decrements associated with acute stress reactions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved treatments for individuals experiencing acute stress reactions.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have explored the effects of these medications on stress responses, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male and non-pregnant, non-lactating females 18 to 40 (inclusive) years of age.
* Females of child-bearing potential must be on some form of birth control, if sexually active (e.g., oral contraceptive, condom, intrauterine device, etc.)
* Score of 80% or greater on a "Volunteer Comprehension Assessment" test.
* Score equal to or greater than 54 on the Fear of Spiders Questionnaire.
* Body weight between 91 and 250 pounds (inclusive).
* Live close enough to be able to commute to Walter Reed Army Institute of Research during the study participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contraindications due to study medications, including a history of allergic/hypersensitivity reactions to a beta blocker or a steroid, or a history of other adverse reactions to these classes of drugs (such as an episode of steroid psychosis).
* A history of allergic reactions to a spider bite.
* A history of abuse or addiction to illicit drugs (including marijuana) or prescribed medication (e.g., opioid) (diagnosed or suspected based on the medical history).
* Use a nicotine product (e.g., cigarette, cigar, vape) more than 3 days per week.
* Self-reported caffeine use in excess of 600 mg (e.g., approximately 10 caffeinated sodas or approximately 29 ounces of brewed coffee) per day on average or not being able to go without caffeine during the In-Lab visits.
* History of neurologic disorder (to include but not limited to epilepsy, hydrocephalus, MS). An infrequent or resolved single neurological event (e.g., childhood seizure, rare sporadic migraine headaches, resolved meningeal infection with no sequelae) or a history of mild traumatic brain injury may be deemed non-exclusionary at the discretion of the examining study medical investigator
* Score of 10 or above on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) or a score of \> 0 on item 9 "Suicidal Thoughts or Wishes" of the BDI
* Score of 41 or above on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - Trait (STAI-T).
* Score of 20 or above on the PROMIS Emotional Distress - Anxiety - Short Form.
* Score of 33 or above on the PTSD Checklist, 5th Edition (PCL-5)
* History of cardiovascular disease (to include but not limited to arrhythmias, valvular heart disease, congestive heart failure, history of sudden cardiac death or myocardial infarction).
* A history of asthma or any type of reactive airways disease or any acute or chronic pulmonary disorder that could lead to a compromise of blood oxygenation in the setting of a modest reduction in tidal volume or respiratory rate, to include neuromuscular disorders.
* Regularly work night shifts or have a habitual sleep/wake schedule that is not conducive to compliance with the recommended sleep time (11:00 pm - 6:00 am) during participation (e.g., extremely early or late habitual bedtime or rise time, to be determined on a case-by-case basis by the principal investigator or an associate investigator).
* A diagnosis of sleep apnea.
* Kidney disease or kidney abnormalities, liver disease or liver abnormalities, or any other metabolic derangements (endocrine disorders, hyperglycemia, etc.) that could alter neurophysiological function.
* Liver disease or significant liver abnormalities as determined by examining study medical investigator.
* Self-reported history of hospitalization for a psychiatric disorder within the past year or with a previous history of a psychotic, bipolar disorder or personality disorder. For a history of a diagnosis of any other psychiatric disorder, a potential participant's symptoms must either be resolved to a degree that a diagnosis is no longer applied or their symptoms must have been stabilized by pharmacological or nonpharmacological treatments for a period of at least 90 days or greater as deemed exclusionary or non-exclusionary at the discretion of the examining study medical investigator.
* Self-reported or suspected current use of antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, or mood stabilizers, to be determined on a case-by-case basis by the examining study medical investigator.
* Self-reported or suspected current use of products or drugs that have CNS depressant effects, to be determined on a case-by-case basis by the examining study medical investigator.
* Self-reported or suspected use of products or drugs that cannot be safely discontinued during in-laboratory phases, to be determined on a case-by-case basis by the examining study medical investigator.
* Self-reported or suspected current heavy alcohol use (minimum limit to define heavy alcohol use is 14 drinks per week for males and 7 drinks per week for females or as determined by the examining study medical investigator).
* (Females only) Positive urine pregnancy result
* (Females only) Self-reported or suspected current breast-feeding or collecting breast-milk.
* Resting blood pressure above 140/90 or resting pulse \> 110 beats per minute. Note that if a repeat measurement is within range, the volunteer will not be excluded.
* Resting blood pressure below 100/60 or pulse oxygenation \<92%. Volunteers with a resting pulse \< 60 bpm will be excluded unless a history of regular vigorous aerobic exercise and findings on the physical examination (including BMI) suggest a high level of cardiovascular fitness, in which case a resting pulse in the range of 50 - 59 bpm may not be exclusionary.
* BMI ≥ 31. The inclusion of individuals with BMI between 30 and 31 (Obese Class I) will be determined using medical investigator's discretion.
* Clinically significant values (as determined by the reviewing study medical investigator) for any hematology or chemistry parameter. Reviewing study medical investigator may opt to repeat any clinically significant tests and include volunteers whose repeat test values are not clinically significant.
* Currently on or recently ended immunotherapy (e.g., allergy shots).
* Have taken a vaccine within 30 days prior to enrollment to the study. For volunteers who report recently taking a vaccine during the screening visit, their In-Lab Day 1 visit will be scheduled at least 30 days after the date of the most recent vaccination.
* Positive urine drug result during screening visit or In-Lab Days 1- 2; Exhibiting behaviors consistent with illicit drug use on In-Lab Day 3.
* Positive saliva alcohol result during screening visit or In-Lab Days 1-3.
* Inability to read and sign consent.
* Failure to obtain required approved official leave to participate (federal civilian employees and active duty military only)
* Failure to cooperate with requirements of the study
* Failure to provide viable emergency contact(s) for the duration of the study
* Self-reported or suspected current use of illicit drugs (including but not limited to benzodiazepines, amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana).
* Current use and/or prescription for opioid, steroid or anti-hypertensive and/or any medication the Medical Investigator deems would interact adversely with study compounds.
* Current use of medications that can adversely interact with propranolol, hydrocortisone and/or morphine to include anti-depressants that are cytochrome P450 2D6 inhibitors.
* Current diabetes.
* GI disorders - motility disorders
* Failure to pass certain tests
* Failure to provide a social security number or tax identification number in order to be paid for screening and participation in the study.
* Current participation in another ongoing clinical trial

Where it's running

  • Sleep Research Center (SRC), Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
    Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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

  • Vitamin D to Help Maintain Cognitive and Physical Performance Under Stress

    This study tests whether daily vitamin D helps healthy adults keep their thinking and simple physical tasks steady and their mood stable during highly stressful lab conditions.

    Recruiting Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) · Silver Spring, Maryland · NCT07654777

  • Regular CBD use and the body's response to acute stress

    This study will test whether adults who use cannabidiol (CBD) regularly have different physical and mood reactions to an acute stress test compared with adults who do not use CBD.

    Recruiting University of Minnesota · Minneapolis, Minnesota · NCT07069478

  • BXCL501 given shortly after a car crash to reduce acute stress and later PTSD symptoms

    This will test whether a short course of BXCL501 sublingual film given in the emergency department after a motor vehicle collision can reduce acute stress symptoms and lower the chance of developing PTSD in high‑risk adults.

    Recruiting at 2 sites Phase 2 University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Jacksonville, Florida and 2 other locations · NCT06943404

  • Using TNX-102 SL to reduce acute stress reactions after motor vehicle collisions

    This study is testing if a new medication can help people who have just been in a car accident feel less stressed and prevent long-term trauma symptoms.

    Recruiting at 9 sites Phase 2 University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Birmingham, Alabama and 8 other locations · NCT06636786

  • Intervention to help people cope with acute stress reactions

    This study tests a new quick support method called iCOVER to help people dealing with acute stress reactions feel better and get back to normal after a stressful event.

    Recruiting at 4 sites University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · Belmont, Massachusetts and 4 other locations · NCT06482567

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.