MedPath

Investigating How the Brain Processes Different Experiences

Not Applicable
Conditions
Anxiety
Interventions
Behavioral: App-Delivered Mindfulness Training (MT)
Behavioral: App-Delivered Coloring
Registration Number
NCT06051084
Lead Sponsor
Brown University
Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the efficacy of an app-based program in reducing anxiety and exploring associated changes in brain activity.

Detailed Description

The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are:

PRIMARY AIM: Confirm that the conscious experience of open/closed correlates with P/PCC activation/deactivation.

SECONDARY AIM: Determine if changes in P/PCC activity predict clinical outcomes (GAD-7 scores) in individuals with moderate to severe anxiety after using an app.

Participants may be asked to:

* Complete a Zoom interview

* Complete online surveys at baseline and 2 months post-treatment initiation

* Complete MRIs at baseline and 2 months post-treatment initiation

* Wear a smartwatch and answer daily questions about their anxiety

* Use an app daily

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
125
Inclusion Criteria
  1. 18 - 65 years
  2. Able to travel to Brown University for research assessment
  3. Able to speak English because all study activities will be conducted in English.
  4. GAD-7 ≥ 10
  5. Owns a smartphone
Exclusion Criteria
  1. If using psychotropic medication - not on a stable dosage at least 6 weeks
  2. As needed (i.e., prn) benzodiazepine use
  3. Psychotic disorder (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, psychosis)
  4. MRI contraindications
  5. Claustrophobia
  6. Recreational drug use past 2 weeks
  7. Alcohol abuse
  8. Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant
  9. Cohabiting with a study participant
  10. Weight ≥ 300 lbs (due to inability to fit in scanner)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
App-Delivered Mindfulness Training (MT)App-Delivered Mindfulness Training (MT)The program is delivered via a smartphone-based platform, which includes a progression through 30+ daily modules of brief didactic and experience-based mindfulness training (videos and animations), app-triggered check-ins to encourage engagement, and user-initiated guided mindfulness exercises to help disrupt worry cycles in the moment.
App-Delivered ColoringApp-Delivered ColoringAn app-based coloring book with a variety of designs to choose from including mandalas, animal patterns, and florals. It is designed to help individuals relax and reduce stress and anxiety based on the benefits found in past research studies.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in GAD - 7collected at baseline and 2 month follow up apt

Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-items (GAD-7). The GAD-7 is a validated 7-item measure of anxiety rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (Not at all sure) to 3 (Nearly every day).

Change From Baseline in Posterior Cingulate Cortex (PCC) Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) Signalcollected at baseline and 2 month follow up apt

BOLD signal change will be measured by fMRI and analyzed using statistical parametric mapping

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ)collected at baseline and 2 month follow up apt

The PSWQ is a validated 16-item self-report measure of worry with items presented on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (not at all typical of me) to 5 (very typical of me).

Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) non-reactivity scalecollected at baseline and 2 month follow up apt

The non-reactivity scale is a validated subscale of the 39-item FFMQ which is a self-report psychological measure of mindfulness skills. This subscale contains 7 items which are presented on a 6-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (almost always) to 6 (almost never).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Brown University

🇺🇸

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

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