tDCS-Augmented Exposure Therapy for Pathological Fear

Completed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Specific Phobias

In brief

This double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial aims to test whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can be used to modulate fear extinction learning during exposure therapy for pathological fear, including fear of spiders, snakes, or germs / contamination. Participation takes place over three laboratory visits, including (1) a pre-treatment visit, (2) a treatment and post-treatment visit, and (3) a 1 month follow-up visit. During treatment, participants will receive either 20 minutes of active or sham tDCS, followed by 30 minutes of in vivo exposure therapy.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03095482

Run by

University of Texas at Austin

People needed

49

Starts

2017-01-01

Expected to finish

2018-09-06

Last updated by the study team

2020-12-08

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 18-65.
• Fluent in English.
• A score on at least 1 fear domain-specific prescreen measure > 2 SDs above the subject pool prescreen mean. These measures include (a) FSQ, and (b) OCI-R.
• Peak fear ≥ 50 on BATs 1 and 2.

You may not qualify if…

• Currently receiving treatment for the primary fear domain (based on clinical interview).
• Unstable dose of psychotropic medications within 6 weeks prior to baseline assessment (based on the DMQ; see measures).
• Medical condition that would contraindicate participation in treatment or assessment activities (e.g., cardiovascular problems; based on the DMQ; see measures).
• Pregnancy (based on the DMQ; see measures).
• Current major depressive disorder (based on MINI; see measures).
• Current, or history of bipolar disorder (based on MINI; see measures).
• Current, or history of psychotic symptoms (based on MINI; see measures).
• Serious suicidal risk, as determined by self-report (C-SSRS, BDI-II) and clinical interview (MINI; see measures).
• Active neurological conditions, including seizures, stroke, unexplained loss of consciousness or concussion (based on DMQ and tDCS Safety Screening Form; see measures)
• Contraindications for tDCS: Metal in the head or implanted brain medical devices.

Where it is running

• Laboratory for the Study of Anxiety Disorders — Austin, Texas, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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