Test AnxietyIBSP-TANCT05336734
Inter-Brain Synchrony in Psychotherapy for Test Anxiety
A study testing Psychotherapy in people with Test Anxiety, run by University of Haifa at 1 site in Israel.
Trial summary
The study aims to examine inter-brain synchrony between patients and therapists over the course of psychotherapy. Eight patients underwent a 6-session course of psychotherapy for test anxiety including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and imagery work, following an existing protocol (see Prinz et al., 2019), as well… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Test Anxiety
- What is being tested?
- Psychotherapy
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 8 participants
- Where
- 1 siteIsrael
- Study dates
- 23 May 2021to 16 Jan 2022
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Test Anxiety Inventory at least 50.
Who cannot join
- Participants with severe mood, anxiety, obsessional, psychotic, or eating disorders as assessed using a Diagnostic Interview for Anxiety, Mood, and Obsessive-compulsive and related Neuropsychiatric Disorders (DIAMOND) interview were excluded (However, comorbid single-episode major depressive disorder or social anxiety disorder did not lead to exclusion).
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
The study aims to examine inter-brain synchrony between patients and therapists over the course of psychotherapy. Eight patients underwent a 6-session course of psychotherapy for test anxiety including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and imagery work, following an existing protocol (see Prinz et al., 2019), as well as a pre- and post- treatment interview (with different interviewers). The researchers used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) imaging to record brain activity during both interviews and sessions 1, 3, and 5, and collected saliva samples to measure hormone levels during the same sessions. Participants completed questionnaires before and after the study, and before and after each session.
The researchers hypothesized that synchrony will gradually increase over the psychotherapy sessions, that synchrony in the pre-treatment interview will be lower than in the post-treatment interview, and that synchrony would be correlated with increases in Oxytocin.
Read the detailed description
This study centers on a short-term 6-session imagery-based treatment protocol for Test anxiety (Developed by Prof. Eshkol Rafaeli who is a collaborator on the study, with colleagues at the University of Trier; for the full protocol, see www.osf.io/hraqd). The protocol integrates traditional cognitive behavioral and imagery techniques; each session is also followed by some homework assignment, aimed at practicing the contents of the session and/or preparing for the next one.
The study lasted 8 weeks. On weeks 1 and 8 participants came in to a screening interview preformed by a research assistant. On weeks 2-7 participants came in to therapy meetings, according to the aforementioned protocol. On weeks 1,2,4,6,8 the researchers also performed functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). imaging and took saliva samples. Participants, assessors (in assessment sessions) and therapists (in treatment sessions) underwent fNIRS imaging and provided saliva samples to measure Oxytocin and Cortisol levels. Samples were tested for hormonal levels and subsequently destroyed.
The study was an exploratory study, with the same therapist, who was a licensed clinical psychologist, treating all patients. He received supervision from an experienced psychologist with long experience employing cognitive-behavioral and experiential treatment methods.
Preliminary questionnaires. (a) Test Anxiety Inventory (b) Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-3) to assess early maladaptive schemas; (c) Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) to assess Big-5 characteristics; (d) Schema Mode Inventory (SMI-2) to assess schema modes ; (e) Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Self Report Scale; (f) Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP) to assess interpersonal problems; (f) General Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD7) scale to assess anxiety symptoms; (g) Mindset questionnaire; (h) Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9) to assess depression symptoms; (i) Relationship Quality (RQ) to assess attachment; (j) demographic questionnaire; (k) Trauma questionnaires - The life event and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder checklists for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) and the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale .
- Conditions
- Test Anxiety
- Being tested
- Psychotherapy
- Keywords
- Synchrony, fNIRS, imaging, psychotherapy
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
PsychotherapyBehavioural
see group description
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Main group | Experimental | The group underwent a psychotherapy course combining CBT and imagery work. (For full protocol see Prinz et al., 2019) Receives: Behavioral: Psychotherapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change from baseline State Test Anxiety
A six-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure test anxiety, evaluation apprehension and low efficacy (Lawrence \& Williams, 2013). Change was defined as the difference between State Test Anxiety at week 7 and at week 2, and a successful outcome would be State Test Anxiety being lower at week 7 than at week 2. The scale is comprised of 6 items scored between 0 and 6, with the scale value being the mean of the items and as such also ranging between 0 and 6, with higher values representing more anxiety (i.e., more symptoms).
Measured: Weeks 2,7
Secondary outcomes (1)
Change from baseline Test Anxiety Inventory
A 20-item questionnaire measuring test anxiety (Spielberger, 1980). Change was defined as the difference between Test Anxiety Inventory values at week 1 and at week 8, and a successful outcome would be Test Anxiety Inventory being lower at week 8 than at week 1. Each item is scored between 1 and 4 and the scale value is calculated by summing the items, such that the scale ranges between 20 and 80, with high values representing more anxiety (i.e., more symptoms).
Measured: Weeks 1,8
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Apr 2022
- Study start23 May 2021
- Primary completion16 Jan 2022
- Study completion16 Jan 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Test AnxietyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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 N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- The study was designed to examine changes in inter-brain synchrony over the course of standard psychotherapy, and not treatment effectiveness. As such, a single group design was deemed adequate.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 8 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Haifa
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05336734
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 185/21
- Acronym
- IBSP-TA
- Status last verified
- Apr 2022
- First submitted
- 6 Apr 2022
- Last updated
- 20 Apr 2022
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Numerical questionnaire data, hormone levels and fNIRS recordings will be made available to other researchers.
Publications
Prinz JN, Bar-Kalifa E, Rafaeli E, Sened H, Lutz W. Imagery-based treatment for test anxiety: A multiple-baseline open trial. J Affect Disord. 2019 Feb 1;244:187-195. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.10.091. Epub 2018 Oct 6.
PubMed 30343122Spielberger, C.D. Test anxiety inventory: Preliminary professional manual. Palo Alto,CA: Consulting Psychologist Press. 1980.
Lawrence, J. S., & Williams, A. Anxiety explains why people with domain-contingent self-worth underperform on ability-diagnostic tests. Journal of Research in Personality. 2013; 47(3): 227-232
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Apr 2022. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Inter-Brain Synchrony in Psychotherapy for Test Anxiety
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05336734
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IBSP-TA / 185/21
- Conditions
- Test Anxiety
- Keywords
- Synchrony, fNIRS, imaging, psychotherapy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 8 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of HaifaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 23 May 2021 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 16 Jan 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 16 Jan 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 20 Apr 2022 (actual)
- 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 study aims to examine inter-brain synchrony between patients and therapists over the course of psychotherapy. Eight patients underwent a 6-session course of psychotherapy for test anxiety including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and imagery work, following an existing protocol (see Prinz et al., 2019), as well as a pre- and post- treatment interview (with different interviewers). The researchers used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) imaging to record brain activity during both interviews and sessions 1, 3, and 5, and collected saliva samples to measure hormone levels during the same sessions. Participants completed questionnaires before and after the study, and before and after each session.
The researchers hypothesized that synchrony will gradually increase over the psychotherapy sessions, that synchrony in the pre-treatment interview will be lower than in the post-treatment interview, and that synchrony would be correlated with increases in Oxytocin.
Detailed description
This study centers on a short-term 6-session imagery-based treatment protocol for Test anxiety (Developed by Prof. Eshkol Rafaeli who is a collaborator on the study, with colleagues at the University of Trier; for the full protocol, see www.osf.io/hraqd). The protocol integrates traditional cognitive behavioral and imagery techniques; each session is also followed by some homework assignment, aimed at practicing the contents of the session and/or preparing for the next one.
The study lasted 8 weeks. On weeks 1 and 8 participants came in to a screening interview preformed by a research assistant. On weeks 2-7 participants came in to therapy meetings, according to the aforementioned protocol. On weeks 1,2,4,6,8 the researchers also performed functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). imaging and took saliva samples. Participants, assessors (in assessment sessions) and therapists (in treatment sessions) underwent fNIRS imaging and provided saliva samples to measure Oxytocin and Cortisol levels. Samples were tested for hormonal levels and subsequently destroyed.
The study was an exploratory study, with the same therapist, who was a licensed clinical psychologist, treating all patients. He received supervision from an experienced psychologist with long experience employing cognitive-behavioral and experiential treatment methods.
Preliminary questionnaires. (a) Test Anxiety Inventory (b) Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-3) to assess early maladaptive schemas; (c) Ten Item Personality Inventory (TIPI) to assess Big-5 characteristics; (d) Schema Mode Inventory (SMI-2) to assess schema modes ; (e) Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Self Report Scale; (f) Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP) to assess interpersonal problems; (f) General Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD7) scale to assess anxiety symptoms; (g) Mindset questionnaire; (h) Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9) to assess depression symptoms; (i) Relationship Quality (RQ) to assess attachment; (j) demographic questionnaire; (k) Trauma questionnaires - The life event and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder checklists for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) and the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale .
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
- Model description
- The study was designed to examine changes in inter-brain synchrony over the course of standard psychotherapy, and not treatment effectiveness. As such, a single group design was deemed adequate.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Main group | Experimental | Behavioral: PsychotherapyThe group underwent a psychotherapy course combining CBT and imagery work. (For full protocol see Prinz et al., 2019) |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Test Anxiety Inventory at least 50.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Participants with severe mood, anxiety, obsessional, psychotic, or eating disorders as assessed using a Diagnostic Interview for Anxiety, Mood, and Obsessive-compulsive and related Neuropsychiatric Disorders (DIAMOND) interview were excluded (However, comorbid single-episode major depressive disorder or social anxiety disorder did not lead to exclusion).
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Psychotherapysee group description | Behavioural | Main group |
Primary outcome
Change from baseline State Test Anxiety
Time frame: Weeks 2,7
A six-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure test anxiety, evaluation apprehension and low efficacy (Lawrence \& Williams, 2013). Change was defined as the difference between State Test Anxiety at week 7 and at week 2, and a successful outcome would be State Test Anxiety being lower at week 7 than at week 2. The scale is comprised of 6 items scored between 0 and 6, with the scale value being the mean of the items and as such also ranging between 0 and 6, with higher values representing more anxiety (i.e., more symptoms).
1 secondary outcome
Change from baseline Test Anxiety Inventory
Time frame: Weeks 1,8
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 20 Apr 2022.
- Background: PubMed 30343122Prinz JN, Bar-Kalifa E, Rafaeli E, Sened H, Lutz W. Imagery-based treatment for test anxiety: A multiple-baseline open trial. J Affect Disord. 2019 Feb 1;244:187-195. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.10.091. Epub 2018 Oct 6.
- BackgroundSpielberger, C.D. Test anxiety inventory: Preliminary professional manual. Palo Alto,CA: Consulting Psychologist Press. 1980.
- BackgroundLawrence, J. S., & Williams, A. Anxiety explains why people with domain-contingent self-worth underperform on ability-diagnostic tests. Journal of Research in Personality. 2013; 47(3): 227-232
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Numerical questionnaire data, hormone levels and fNIRS recordings will be made available to other researchers.
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Psychotherapy in people with Test Anxiety, run by University of Haifa at 1 site in Israel.
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 1 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 20 Apr 2022. 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 Israel. 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. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
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?
Change from baseline State Test Anxiety (time frame: Weeks 2,7). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05336734, which also lists 3 linked publications.
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 20 Apr 2022.