Positive Emotional Processing: Exploring Novel Treatment Targets in Social Phobia
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Anxiety, Healthy Studies, Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology, Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 55 |
| Updated: | 9/2/2017 |
| Start Date: | April 2013 |
| End Date: | September 2016 |
Positive Emotional Processing: Exploring Novel Treatment Targets in Social Phobia - New Data
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.
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.
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.
We found this trial at
1
site
San Diego, California 92037
Principal Investigator: Charles T Taylor, PhD
Phone: 858-534-9446
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