Evaluation of the Feasibility and Efficacy of Computerized Anxiety Treatment in a Group Setting (Group CAST)

Florida State University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Health Education Treatment; Computerized Anxiety Sensitivity Treatment

Treatments: Behavioral: HET; Behavioral: CAST

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06817473

STUDY00004267

Details and patient eligibility

About

• Statement of the Research Study. Participants are being invited to volunteer to take part in our research study. It is up to participants whether to choose to take part or not. There will be no penalty or loss of benefits to choosing not to take part or decide later not to take part.
• Purpose. The reason that the researchers are doing this research is to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of administering a computerized anxiety intervention in a setting of five or more individuals. This intervention has already been tested and shown promise with individuals, and researchers want to see if it will function in a group setting as well.
• Duration. Researchers think that taking part in our study will last approximately two hours, with an additional follow-up survey one month later to be completed at home via computer or smartphone.
• Research Activities. Participants will first be asked to complete several questionnaires dealing with your thoughts and feelings. Once these questionnaires are completed, participants will be assigned to one of two groups, with each group viewing one of two computerized presentations and completing some group exercises afterward. Once participants have completed the designated intervention, participants will then be asked to fill out surveys once again, which will complete the study appointment. One month following the appointment, participants will be sent surveys once again and will be asked to complete them at home.

Risks: The risks or discomforts to participants while taking part in this research include temporary distress or anxiety pr potentially feeling mild discomfort answering questions about your thoughts and feelings.

Benefits: As a result of taking part in this research, participants may experience improvements in mental health.

Enrollment: 73 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• adults aged 18+ and ability to use a computer or smartphone.

Exclusion criteria

• inability to engage in any interoceptive exercises.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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73 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

CAST

Experimental group

Description:

Computerized anxiety sensitivity treatment (CAST), which has been used by researchers already in many RCTs. This involves 30 minutes of psychoeducational video material delivered via computer presentation followed by 30 minutes of repeated interoceptive exposure practice exercises such as 60 seconds of breathing through a coffee straw, shaking head from side to side, and looking into a mirror.

Treatment:

Behavioral: CAST

HET

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Developed as a 30-minute online intervention that provides education about physical health habits that can impact mental health, such as diet, exercise, and sleep. This intervention has been used in prior clinical trials to control for effects of general education, general coping techniques, and use of technology. Participants in past clinical trials have reported that HET is engaging and beneficial.

Treatment:

Behavioral: HET