How stress and anxiety change how people value rewards
Official title: Stress and Anxiety Effects on Valuation
Run by NYU Langone Health · NCT07252947 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study will test whether stress, anxiety, and negative mood change how adults learn from and choose rewards, including a group with generalized anxiety disorder.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | NYU Langone Health Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 18, 2025 |
| Main results expected | November 7, 2028 |
| Study ends | November 7, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | October 30, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07252947 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults 18–65 who speak, read, and write English and can provide informed consent; Aims 1–3 enroll psychiatrically and neurologically healthy volunteers, while Aim 4 enrolls adults with a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder.
✕Probably not a fit
People with high blood pressure or heart conditions, diabetes or metabolic disorders, pregnancy, those taking corticosteroids or beta-blockers, or those with current neurologic or psychiatric disease are excluded and would not be eligible to benefit from participation.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Participants aged 18–65 will undergo a lab stress induction (the Socially Evaluated Cold Pressor Task) or a non-stressful control task and then complete decision-making tasks that measure reward adaptation and emotion prediction errors. The primary aim compares two forms of reward-based decision adaptation and emotion prediction errors under differing levels of stress and anxiety. Secondary analyses will relate individual differences (e.g., symptom levels) to these decision-making variables. Standard exclusions apply (e.g., serious medical or psychiatric conditions, certain medications, pregnancy) and one aim specifically enrolls participants diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help tailor treatments that target altered learning and decision-making in people with anxiety.
How similar studies have gone: Prior lab studies using the SECPT and related stress manipulations have shown that acute stress can alter learning and reward processing, so this work builds on established methods rather than being entirely novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Aims 1-3: To be eligible for participation in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: * 18-65 years of age * Able to speak, read, and write fluently in English * Be willing and able to follow study procedures and provide informed consent. Aim 4: To be eligible for participation in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: * 18-65 years of age * Diagnosis of GAD * Able to speak, read, and write fluently in English * Be willing and able to follow study procedures and provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Aims 1-3: Individuals will be excluded from participation if any of the following criteria are met: * History of or medication for neurologic or psychiatric disease * High-blood pressure or heart condition * Diabetes, food allergies, metabolic disorders or history of eating disorder * Use of corticosteroids or beta-blockers * Pregnancy Aim 4: Individuals will be excluded from participation if any of the following criteria are met: * High-blood pressure or heart condition * Diabetes, food allergies, metabolic disorders or history of eating disorder * Use of corticosteroids or beta-blockers * Lifetime history of bipolar disorder or any psychotic disorder; substance use disorder in past 3 months; eating disorder in past 6 months; current major depressive disorder (past is allowed) * Active suicidal ideation with plan and intent (indicated by score \>=4 on the Columbia Suicide Severity Scale) * Not on stable dose of psychiatric medication for at least 4 weeks prior to study participation * Pregnancy
Where it's running
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NYU Langone Health
New York, New York, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Candace Raio, PhD — NYU Langone Health
- Study coordinator: Candace Raio, PhD
- Email: Candace.Raio@nyulangone.org
- Phone: 212-404-4223
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.