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Interoceptive Exposure for Anxiety

N/A

Waitlist Available

Research Sponsored by G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be older than 18 years old

Must not have

Veterans who are currently receiving (or who are scheduled to begin) individual exposure-based treatment for PTSD will be excluded from the study.

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up up to 5 years

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial is testing whether Interoceptive Exposure (IE) can help reduce negative thoughts and arousal in veterans with PTSD during an anxiety-inducing situation.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for OEF/OIF veterans with combat-related PTSD, probable PTSD diagnosis (PTSD Checklist score >44), high anxiety sensitivity (ASI score >28), and medical clearance. Excluded are those with conditions affecting study participation or data integrity, such as uncontrolled blood pressure, severe asthma, dementia, psychotic disorders, acute mania, current substance abuse or certain medications.

What is being tested?

The trial tests Interoceptive Exposure (IE) to reduce negative thoughts and arousal in anxious situations among veterans with PTSD. Participants undergo IE or supportive counseling over four weeks at GVSMVAMC and are assessed before and after treatment using interviews, self-reports, and a social stressor task.

What are the potential side effects?

While the specific side effects of Interoceptive Exposure aren't detailed here since it's a psychological intervention rather than a drug therapy; participants may experience increased anxiety or discomfort when exposed to the sensations of arousal during sessions.

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

Select...

I am not currently undergoing or scheduled for individual PTSD treatment.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ up to 5 years

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~up to 5 years

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and up to 5 years for reporting.

Treatment Details

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: IEExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants will complete an at home four-week, intervention targeting their negative cognitions triggered by physical sensations. The goal of IE is to purposefully induce bodily sensations related to autonomic arousal so that participants can learn that those sensations are not harmful. IE and Cognitive restructuring have been found to be superior to progressive muscle relaxation as a way to avoid aversive autonomic sensations.

Group II: 2Active Control1 Intervention

waitlist control

0 / 1Eligibility criteria met