Text-message program to reduce worry-related safety behaviors
Safety Behavior Fading Intervention for Pathological Worry
NA · Florida State University · NCT07391020
This project will test whether daily text-message reminders and checklists to cut down worry-related safety behaviors help adults with high levels of worry (like GAD) more than weekly progressive muscle relaxation videos.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Florida State University (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Tallahassee, Florida) |
| Trial ID | NCT07391020 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Adults who meet the elevated-worry cutoff (PSWQ ≥ 60) are randomly assigned to one of two month-long conditions: a Safety Behavior Fading program that gives daily text reminders, a monitoring checklist, and progress charts to encourage reducing worry-related safety behaviors, or a control condition that receives four weekly progressive muscle relaxation videos. Text messaging is delivered via a mass-texting service (EZTexting) and participants report daily behavior use through online checklists. The safety behavior fading procedures follow methods previously used in the Cougle Lab and are intended to decrease or eliminate worry-related safety behaviors over time. Outcomes compare changes in reported safety behavior use and worry symptoms between groups.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with elevated worry (PSWQ score ≥ 60), who are not pregnant and who have stable psychiatric medication use (or no psychiatric medication) for at least four weeks.
Not a fit: People with PSWQ scores ≤ 59, pregnant individuals, those with recent (past 4 weeks) unstable psychiatric medication changes, those who fail baseline attention checks, or those unable to receive daily texts or complete online checklists may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce reliance on worry-related safety behaviors and lower overall worry/GAD symptoms using a low-cost, scalable text-message platform.
How similar studies have performed: Elements of safety behavior fading have been used in prior Cougle Lab and CBT research with preliminary positive findings, while delivery via daily text messages and remote monitoring is increasingly used but less established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: \- Elevated worry as defined by a score of 60 or higher on the PSWQ. Exclusion Criteria: * Score of 59 or lower on the PSWQ * If applicable, unstable psychiatric medication usage any time over the past 4 weeks * Failing attention checks in baseline data collection * Pregnancy
Where this trial is running
Tallahassee, Florida
- Florida State University — Tallahassee, Florida, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Matthew Sala, B.S.
- Email: sala@psy.fsu.edu
- Phone: 850-645-8729
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.
Conditions: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Worrying, Anxiety, safety behaviors, worry