AnxietyPhase 4NCT02372110
Disentangling Anxiety Sensitivity and Anxiety-induced Physiological Stress Response
A Phase 4 study testing HPA, ANS stimulation in people with Anxiety, run by University of Texas at Austin at 1 site in United States.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Anxiety
- What is being tested?
- HPA, ANS stimulation
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Mar 2015to Nov 2015
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Both male and female participants will be required to pass the telephone-screening questionnaire. All eligible participants will be 18 years and older.
Who cannot join
- 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.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
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.
Read the 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.
- Conditions
- Anxiety
- Being tested
- HPA, ANS stimulation, Placebo
- Medical subject headings
- Anxiety Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
HPA, ANS stimulationDrug
Also called vivarin, cortef
Oral administration of Hydrocortisone will increase HPA axis activity. Oral administration of Caffeine will boost ANS activity
PlaceboDrug
Also called fake pill
Two cellulose placebo capsules filled with acidophilus powder will be administered to subjects who are randomly assigned to the placebo condition
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| HPA, ANS stimulation | Experimental | Oral administration of 400mg caffeine and 20mg hydrocortisone will stimulate HPA axis and ANS activity, respectively Receives: Drug: HPA, ANS stimulation |
| Two cellulose placebo capsules | Placebo comparator | two cellulose capsule filled with acidophilus powder will be administered orally Receives: Drug: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Heart Rate
continuous heart rate monitoring
Measured: 180 minutes
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted26 Feb 2015 (estimated)
- Study startMar 2015
- Primary completionNov 2015
- Study completionNov 2015
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for AnxietyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of Texas at AustinThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Texas at Austin
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Robert Josephs, University of Texas at Austin
- Investigators
- Robert A Josephs, Ph.D, Principal investigator, University of Texas at Austin
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02372110
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2015010023
- Status last verified
- Apr 2021
- First submitted
- 12 Feb 2015
- Last updated
- 28 Apr 2021
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Apr 2021. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Disentangling Anxiety Sensitivity and Anxiety-induced Physiological Stress Response
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT02372110
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2015010023
- Conditions
- Anxiety
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Texas at AustinUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Mar 2015
- Primary completion
- Nov 2015 (actual)
- Study completion
- Nov 2015 (actual)
- First posted
- 26 Feb 2015 (estimated)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| HPA, ANS stimulation | Experimental | Drug: HPA, ANS stimulationOral administration of 400mg caffeine and 20mg hydrocortisone will stimulate HPA axis and ANS activity, respectively |
| Two cellulose placebo capsules | Placebo comparator | Drug: Placebotwo cellulose capsule filled with acidophilus powder will be administered orally |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Both male and female participants will be required to pass the telephone-screening questionnaire. All eligible participants will be 18 years and older.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 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.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| HPA, ANS stimulationAlso: vivarin, cortefOral administration of Hydrocortisone will increase HPA axis activity. Oral administration of Caffeine will boost ANS activity | Drug | HPA, ANS stimulation |
| PlaceboAlso: fake pillTwo cellulose placebo capsules filled with acidophilus powder will be administered to subjects who are randomly assigned to the placebo condition | Drug | Two cellulose placebo capsules |
Primary outcome
Heart Rate
Time frame: 180 minutes
continuous heart rate monitoring
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Apr 2021.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Robert A Josephs, Ph.D principal investigator
University of Texas at Austin
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 4 study testing HPA, ANS stimulation in people with Anxiety, run by University of Texas at Austin at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Apr 2021. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Heart Rate (time frame: 180 minutes). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 Apr 2021.