CompletedPhase 2

Influence of Valproic Acid on Extinction-based Therapy in Patients With Fear of Spiders.

Switzerland100 participantsStarted 2016-07

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether valproic acid in combination with fear memory reactivation is useful to enhance treatment stability of exposure therapy for specific phobia.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 40 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: * DSM-IV diagnosis of specific phobia (animal type: spider) * BAT score (at screening) between 1 and 7 points * Physically healthy * Normotensive (90/60-140/90 mmHg) * Male or female * Aged between 18 and 40 years * Native or fluent German-speaking * Females have to be on effective birth control Exclusion Criteria: * Other axis I disorder except a further comorbid phobic disorder * Concurrent psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy * Previous exposure-based therapy for specific phobia * Parallel participation in another study * Body weight less than 50kg * Long-term medication intake * Substance abuse * 5 or more cigarettes a day and/or inability of being abstinent for at least 5 hours * Pregnancy or breast-feeding * Kinetosis * History of coagulation disease * History of gastrointestinal disease * Laboratory exclusion criteria: clinically relevant deviation of laboratory values (blood count, blood chemistry, coagulation status, liver and pancreas enzymes, electrolytes) from normal range

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

Change in performance in Behavioral Approach Test (BAT) in real-life (in vivo)

Timeframe: Baseline (visit 1: 7-21 days before visit 2: intervention) and follow up (visit 3: 90 days after visit 2: intervention

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02789813

SponsorProf. Dominique de Quervain, MD

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2018-06-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Phobia, Specific trials

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 40 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.