CompletedNot Applicable

A Single-Component CBT for GAD

Canada60 participantsStarted 2015-10

Plain-language summary

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition that is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry and anxiety. In Canada, 3 to 4% of the population suffer from GAD at any point in time. These individuals have a lowered quality of life and are at risk for many medical conditions such as coronary heart disease and cancer. Research suggests that both pharmacological and psychological approaches are effective for treating GAD in the short-term; however, psychological treatments appear to offer the greatest long-term benefits. There exist a number of effective psychological treatments for GAD, most of which fall into the category of cognitive-behavioural therapy or CBT. In the 1990s, a group of Canadian investigators developed a CBT protocol for GAD that included four components. Data from five clinical trials suggest that one of the four components is particularly important for treatment success: experiencing uncertainty rather than avoiding it in everyday life. Stated differently, learning to tolerate and deal with uncertainty appears to be the key to decreasing worry and anxiety. Given this finding, the investigators have developed a new treatment that exclusively targets intolerance of uncertainty: Behavioural Experiments for Intolerance of Uncertainty or BE-IU. The goal of the current proposal is to test the efficacy of BE-IU by comparing it to a Waiting List (WL) control condition. A total of 50 participants with a primary diagnosis of GAD will be randomly assigned to either BE-IU or WL and will be assessed at 5 time points ranging from pre-treatment to 12-month follow-up. The conditions will be compared in terms of treatment efficacy and mechanisms. The investigators will also examine the predictors of change during the 12-months following treatment. The proposed study will produce data on the efficacy and mechanisms of a treatment for GAD that is less costly, less complex and easier to disseminate than treatments that are currently available.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: 1\) at least 18 years of age; 2) principal diagnosis of GAD; 3) no change in medication type or dose in 4 to 12 weeks before study entry (4 weeks for benzodiazepines, 12 weeks for antidepressants and hypnotics); 4) willingness to keep medication status stable while participating in the study; 5) no use of herbal products known to have CNS effects in the 2 weeks before study entry; 6) no evidence of suicidal intent (based on clinical judgement); 7) no evidence of current substance abuse, current or past schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or organic mental disorder; 8) no current participation in other trials; 9) no concurrent psychotherapy during treatment phase of trial; 10) no evidence of anxiety symptoms due to a general medical condition based on clinical judgement (e.g., clinical hyperthyroidism, hypoglycaemia, anaemia). Exclusion Criteria: \-

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Clinician's Severity Rating (CSR) of Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule (ADIS)

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02552108

SponsorUniversite du Quebec en Outaouais

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2018-10

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Generalized Anxiety Disorder trials