Respiratory Training vs Interoceptive Exposure in the Treatment of Transdiagnostic Pathological Anxiety

Description

Purpose of the Research: The primary aim of the proposed study is to conduct a randomized parallel-group 3-arm clinical trial comparing two mechanistically distinct interventions for pathological anxiety - (1) Interoceptive Exposure (IE) utilizing graduated exposure to somatic cues (respiratory, cardiac, vestibular) with the primary aim of reducing fear responding to the presence of interoceptive perturbations; (2) Capnometry-Guided Respiratory Intervention (CGRI) aimed at raising end-tidal CO2 levels thereby lowering hyperventilation-induced respiratory alkalosis and its associated fear-eliciting somatic reactions; and (3) Psycho-education about anxiety and its effects (PsyEd), which will serve as a credible control comparator.

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders, Trauma, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Illness Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Acute Stress Disorder, Adjustment Disorder With Anxious Mood

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

Purpose of the Research: The primary aim of the proposed study is to conduct a randomized parallel-group 3-arm clinical trial comparing two mechanistically distinct interventions for pathological anxiety - (1) Interoceptive Exposure (IE) utilizing graduated exposure to somatic cues (respiratory, cardiac, vestibular) with the primary aim of reducing fear responding to the presence of interoceptive perturbations; (2) Capnometry-Guided Respiratory Intervention (CGRI) aimed at raising end-tidal CO2 levels thereby lowering hyperventilation-induced respiratory alkalosis and its associated fear-eliciting somatic reactions; and (3) Psycho-education about anxiety and its effects (PsyEd), which will serve as a credible control comparator.

Respiratory Training vs Interoceptive Exposure in the Treatment of Transdiagnostic Pathological Anxiety: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Respiratory Training vs Interoceptive Exposure in the Treatment of Transdiagnostic Pathological Anxiety

Condition
Anxiety Disorders
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Austin

University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States, 78712

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility 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.
  • 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.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Texas at Austin,

Study Record Dates

2025-05