Disentangling Anxiety Sensitivity and Anxiety-induced Physiological Stress Response
- Conditions
- Anxiety
- Interventions
- Drug: HPA, ANS stimulationDrug: Placebo
- Registration Number
- NCT02372110
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Texas at Austin
- Brief Summary
The proposed study aims to investigate experimentally anxiety sensitivity and physiologic sensations associated with anxiety using a paradigm combining hydrocortisone, caffeine, and a set of social stress challenges. Following informed consent, participants will be instructed to ingest either 400 milligrams of caffeine (an amount of caffeine roughly equivalent to that in two 8 oz. cups of brewed coffee from Starbucks), and 20 milligrams of hydrocortisone or two placebo capsules via stratified, random assignment. Physiologic and self-reported measures of stress and anxiety will be taken.
- Detailed Description
Given the debilitating nature of anxiety disorders, a greater understanding of its etiology and the development of appropriate early interventions are critical. However, due to the mutually reinforcing nature of anxiety sensitivity (a key component of anxiety disorders) and physiological sensations associated with anxiety, no previous studies have examined these two variables separately in response to an acute stressor. The proposed study aims to investigate these two variables independently using a paradigm combining hydrocortisone, caffeine, and TSST.
It is hypothesized that when an individual's physiological stress responses (SNS and HPA axis) are enhanced, he or she will experience greater subjective stress and a lesser sense of mastery in response to an acute stressor (e.g., the TSST). In addition, anxiety sensitivity will moderate subjective ratings of stress and mastery, such that individuals high on anxiety sensitivity will rate the TSST as more subjectively stressful and their performance as less effectual compared to individuals low on anxiety sensitivity, due to greater vigilance of interoceptive responses and internal stimuli.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 120
- Both male and female participants will be required to pass the telephone-screening questionnaire. All eligible participants will be 18 years and older.
- Full physiological exclusions include: abnormal electrocardiogram (i.e., arrhythmias), allergy to hydrocortisone or caffeine, anemia, cancer, chronic pain, compromised immune system (e.g., HIV), congestive heart failure, diabetes, diverticulitis, epilepsy, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastrointestinal disease (e.g., bleeding), heart disease, hepatic impairment, herpes virus, high blood pressure or low blood pressure, high cholesterol, history of stroke, hypothyroidism, infection/fever in the last 7 days, kidney disease, liver disease (e.g., hepatitis), migraines/chronic headaches, myasthenia gravis, ocular herpes simplex virus, osteoporosis, peptic ulcer disease, renal impairment, respiratory disease (e.g., asthma), seizure disorder, skeletal muscle disease, spastic colon, strongyloides infection, surgeries within the last 6 weeks, systemic fungal infection, thyroid disease, tuberculosis/history of positive tuberculosis test, and ulcerative colitis.
Full medication exclusions include: ADHD medication, antibiotics in the last 7 days, antidepressants, antiplatelet drugs, anxiolytics, bipolar disorder medication, blood pressure medication, blood thinners, bronchodilators, drugs for allergies, drugs to treat hormonal disorders, estrogen, insulin, live vaccinations in the last 7 days, long-lasting decongestants, pain killers (i.e., NSAIDS: aspirin or ibuprofen), sleeping pills, statins (i.e., to lower cholesterol), steroids.
Full psychological exclusions include current or previous diagnosis of major depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, specific phobia, anxiety disorders, or any other psychiatric condition.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description HPA, ANS stimulation HPA, ANS stimulation Oral administration of 400mg caffeine and 20mg hydrocortisone will stimulate HPA axis and ANS activity, respectively Two cellulose placebo capsules Placebo two cellulose capsule filled with acidophilus powder will be administered orally
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Heart Rate 180 minutes continuous heart rate monitoring
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
University of Texas at Austin
🇺🇸Austin, Texas, United States