| City: |
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San Diego |
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State:
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CA |
| Zip Code: |
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92120 |
| Conditions: |
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder |
| Purpose: |
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) has high prelevance (up to 8.5%; Roy-Byrne & Wagner,
2004) and leads to functional impairment (Wittchen et al., 2002; Ballenger et al., 2001).
Researchers have demonstrated a relationship between attention bias to threatening
information and GAD. However, this knowledge has not yet been translated into effective
treatments. The goal of this project is develop and test a new computerized treatment for
Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
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| Study summary: |
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry
(Barlow, et al., 1986) leading to medical over-utilization, poor perceived health, low
ratings of quality of life, and impairment at work resulting in a significant economic and
public health impact (Wittchen et al., 2002; Ballenger et al., 2001). Lifetime prevalence
of GAD is high (5.7%, Kessler, et al, 2005), with even higher estimates in the primary care
setting (8.5%, Roy-Byrne & Wager, 2004). Researchers have established a relationship
between GAD and attention bias to threatening information (Mogg & Bradley 2005). This
knowledge, however, has not been translated into more effective treatments for this
disorder. This five-year, two site proposal aims to test a computerized treatment for GAD
in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study bridging basic attention bias research and
treatment outcome. We present the results from 7 studies demonstrating the efficacy of
attention modification programs (AMP) in ameliorating symptoms of anxiety. Specifically, we
report results from a pilot study of individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (n=24, Dr
Amir's lab), and high worries (n=24, Dr. Schmidt's lab) demonstrating the effectiveness of
the procedures described in this proposal.
In brief, our intervention was effective in: a) changing biased attention, b) reducing
symptoms of GAD, and c) maintaining its effects in up to one year follow-up. This technique
for changing attention bias in GAD can provide a cost-effective and easy to administer
treatment grounded in basic cognitive science that may help reduce suffering in individuals
with anxiety. A larger study would allow us to test the treatment and examine the
generalizability of the intervention to patients with GAD along with comorbid conditions.
Moreover, we will examine the transportability of the intervention by examining the proposed
intervention at two sites. There are currently 10 participants enrolled in the newest phase
of pilot data collection (SDSU 6, FSU 4).
The goal of the current proposal is to extend these findings to a larger group of
individuals with GAD and to examine the generalizability of the results to individuals with
comorbid GAD. In the current proposal we will test two hypotheses:
1. Individuals with GAD completing the AMP will show a larger reduction in their attention
bias to threat compared to the placebo group
2. Individuals with GAD completing AMP will show a larger reduction in anxiety symptoms
compared to the placebo group. |
| Criteria: |
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Inclusion Criteria:
- Primary diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Exclusion Criteria:
- Evidence of suicidal intent
- Evidence of current substance abuse
- Evidence of current or past schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or organic mental
disorder
- Current CBT
- Change in other psychosocial or pharmacological treatment during the 12 weeks prior
to study entry. |
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| Study is available at: |
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San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92120
United States
Primary Contact:
Nader Amir, Ph.D.
Email: namir@mail.sdsu.edu
Phone: 619-229-3740 |
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If you are interested in this clinical trial please use the contact information above. If you would like to get additional information about this clinical trial please visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
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| Data Source: |
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ClinicalTrials.gov |
| Date Processed: |
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March 22, 2011 |
Modifications to
this listing: |
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Only selected fields are shown, please use the link
above to view all information about this clinical trial. |
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