Targeting Reconsolidation to Prevent Return of Fear
Completed · Not applicable
Conditions studied: Fear of Flying
In brief
The overall aim of this project is to determine if using a cue to trigger (and reactivate) the fear memory 10 minutes prior to exposure treatment sessions leads to less anxiety in patients with a fear of flying. The long term goals are to establish if targeting the reconsolidation of fear with a reminder of the fear is effective for human clinical populations in reducing relapse (return of fear). In this investigation, the investigators propose to treat 64 patients diagnosed with a fear of flying (FOF) using virtual reality exposure therapy (VRE). All patients in the study will receive exactly the same exposure treatment using a virtual airplane.
Key facts
- Study ID
- NCT01623830
- Run by
- Emory University
- People needed
- 89
- Starts
- 2012-07-01
- Expected to finish
- 2016-06-01
- Last updated by the study team
- 2017-02-02
Who can join
Age: 18 and older, up to 70. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.
You may qualify if…
- Adult participants, male and female, ages 18-70;
- Participants must meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for specific phobia, situational type or panic disorder with agoraphobia, in which flying is the primary feared stimulus, or agoraphobia without a history of panic disorder, in which flying is a feared stimulus; Participants may have comorbid depression or anxiety disorders to increase generalizability of sample, but fear of flying must be the primary complaint;
- Participants must have flown at least once before;
- Participants on psychoactive medications must be stabilized on that dose and medication for at least three months, and must agree to remain on that dose throughout the project. All assessments will include a form inquiring about any medication changes, and participants on medications will be monitored by their prescribing physician; and
- Participants must be literate in English.
You may not qualify if…
- Patients with current or history of mania, schizophrenia, or other psychoses;
- Patients with current (past 3 months) prominent suicidal ideation;
- Patients with current alcohol or drug abuse/dependence; and
- Patients unable to wear the virtual reality head mounted display for any reason (i.e. due to panic disorder, head discomfort, etc.)
Where it is running
- Emory University — Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov
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