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Muscle Relaxation Therapy With Odorant Cue

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety
Registration Number
NCT00208910
Lead Sponsor
Emory University
Brief Summary

A novel procedure for generalized anxiety disorder where an odorant cue is paired with the state of deep relaxation during training. It is hypothesized that by smelling the odor in an anxiety-provoking situation, the patient will more easily invoke a state of relaxation, providing greater relief from the distressing tension and worry that characterize GAD.

Detailed Description

We hypothesize that by presenting a novel odor to a patient in a state of deep relaxation, the odor will serve as a conditioned inhibitory stimulus, or safety signal, in anxiety-provoking situations. With the odor serving as a contextual cue for the state of relaxation.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
15
Inclusion Criteria
  • GAD without a comorbid active major psychiatric disorder.
  • GAD must be the primary active psychiatric disorder.
  • GAD determined via the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI).
Exclusion Criteria
  • Significant medical illness that might interfere with the relaxation therapy or with training using the odorant.
  • Actively abusing alcohol.
  • Illicit substances.
  • Currently using rapid-acting anxiolytic agents (e.g. benzodiazepines, hydroxyzine).
  • Started an antidepressant, antipsychotic or mood stabilizing agent within three months of screening visit.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
PSWQ
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
HAM-A

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Emory University School of Medicine

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

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