Positive Emotional Processing: Exploring Novel Treatment Targets in Social Phobia

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Social Anxiety Disorder

In brief

The purpose of this study is to test the effects of a computerized approach/avoidance training (AAT) procedure in a sample of individuals diagnosed with social anxiety disorder (SAD). The training procedure is designed to modify automatic approach responses for positive social stimuli. Previous research has shown that a single administration of approach-positive AAT influences social behavior in the laboratory. The goal of this study is to examine the effects of a four-session AAT procedure on measures of positive social-emotional functioning. The investigators hypothesize that individuals assigned to the approach-positive AAT condition will demonstrate larger increases in positive affect and improvements in social relationship functioning from pre- to post-assessment compared to those assigned to the control condition.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT02136212

Run by

University of California, San Diego

People needed

57

Starts

2013-04-01

Expected to finish

2016-09-01

Last updated by the study team

2017-09-01

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 55. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 18-55
• Principal psychiatric diagnosis of generalized social anxiety disorder
• Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) score ≥ 60
• Ability to read and speak English sufficiently to complete study procedures

You may not qualify if…

• History of psychosis, mania, or substance dependence
• Current severe medical disorder that requires inpatient treatment or frequent medical follow ups including but not limited to: unstable hypertension, unstable angina, unstable diabetes mellitus, unstable cardiac arrhythmias, transient ischemic attacks, severe coronary artery disease, severe peripheral vascular disease, severe hepato-gastro-intestinal disease, severe infectious disease (e.g. HIV), recurrent severe headache or migraine, fainting spells, seizures, and history of traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness >30 minutes
• Current use of the following medications: antidepressants, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, or other drugs that can acutely affect the hemodynamic response (methylphenidate and acetazolamide)
• Caffeine intake >10 cups/day or recent significant changes in consumption
• MRI exclusions, including claustrophobia, cardiac pacemaker, metal fragments in eyes/skin/body (shrapnel), aortic/aneurysm clips, prosthesis, by-pass surgery/coronary artery clips, hearing aid, heart valve replacement, shunt (ventricular or spinal), electrodes, metal plates/pins/screws/wires, or neuro/bio-stimulators (TENS unit), persons who have ever been a metal worker/welder, history of eye surgery/eyes washed out because of metal, women who are or may be pregnant (determined by a positive pregnancy test), women using an intrauterine device, vision problems uncorrectable with lenses, claustrophobia, inability to lie still on one's back for 60 minutes; prior neurosurgery; older tattoos with metal dyes; unwillingness to remove nose, ear, tongue, or face rings.

Where it is running

• University of California, San Diego; Psychiatry Clinical Research — San Diego, California, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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