Positive Emotional Processing: Exploring Novel Treatment Targets in Social Phobia - New Data
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Enrollment
- 57
- Locations
- 2
- Primary Endpoint
- Change from baseline in social connectedness (Social Connectedness Scale - Revised)
Study Overview
Brief Summary
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.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to 55 Years (Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •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
Exclusion Criteria
- •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.
Arms & Interventions
Approach-positive AAT
Participants will receive 4 sessions over 2 weeks of a computerized AAT procedure designed to increase automatic approach responses for positive social cues.
Intervention: Approach-positive AAT (Behavioral)
Control AAT
Participants will receive 4 sessions over 2 weeks of a computerized AAT procedure in which there is no contingency between arm movement and positive social cues.
Intervention: Control AAT (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change from baseline in social connectedness (Social Connectedness Scale - Revised)
Time Frame: 1 month
Change from pre- to post-assessment in social connectedness.
Change from baseline in positive affect (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule)
Time Frame: 1 month
Change from pre- to post-assessment in positive affect.
Secondary Outcomes
- Change from baseline in social relationship functioning (Interpersonal Outcomes Scale)(1 month)
- Change from baseline in social anxiety symptoms (Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale)(1 month)
Investigators
Charles Taylor
Assistant Professor
University of California, San Diego