Respiratory Training in the Treatment of Transdiagnostic Pathological Anxiety

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: 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

In brief

Purpose of the Research: The primary aim of the proposed study is to conduct a randomized parallel-group 2-arm clinical trial investigating capnometry-guided respiratory intervention (CGRI) for pathological anxiety. CGRI aims to raise end-tidal CO2 levels thereby lowering hyperventilation-induced respiratory alkalosis and its associated fear-eliciting somatic reactions. Psycho-education about anxiety and its effects (PsyEd) will serve as a credible control comparator.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT05427708

Run by

University of Texas at Austin

People needed

180

Starts

2022-08-22

Expected to finish

2027-05-01

Last updated by the study team

2025-08-24

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Clinically elevated anxiety as indicated by an eight or higher on the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS).
• 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
• No current use of psychotropic medications or stable on current medications for at least 6 weeks
• Age 18+.
• Able to arrange transportation to our laboratory for study appointments.
• Fluent in English.

You may not qualify if…

• 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
• Not currently receiving other psychological treatment for anxiety.
• No history of a suicide attempt within the past 6 months.
• No history of psychosis within the past 6 months.
• No history of moderate to severe alcohol or substance use disorder (with the exception of nicotine) within the past 3 months.
• Does not endorse COVID-19 symptoms during the screening phase.

Where it is running

• University of Texas at Austin — Austin, Texas, United States (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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