UnknownNot Applicable

An Examination of the Effects of Health-related Internet Use in Individuals With Pathological Health Anxiety

80 participants

Plain-language summary

The purpose of the current study is to examine the effects of health-related internet use on affect, health anxiety and symptom severity in individuals with pathological levels of health anxiety. The present randomized controlled study compares an online medical searching condition with a waiting (i.e. non-searching) condition to manipulate the attentional focus. After an induction of health anxiety using the Autobiographical Emotional Memory Task the participants in the searching condition go online and search for subjectively relevant health information (external focus of attention). Individuals in the waiting (i.e. non-searching) condition are requested to do nothing and not to distract themselves (internal focus of attention).

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: * Pathological health anxiety according to the criteria of Fink et al. (2004) * Informed consent * Sufficient German language skills * Sufficient skills using a computer, a smartphone and the internet Exclusion Criteria: * Suicidal tendency * Clinical diagnosis of alcohol or drug abuse, acute schizophrenia * Organic brain disorders * Impairment of intelligence

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 of health anxiety before and after 8 minutes of health-related internet searching or waiting

Timeframe: right before and after 8 minutes of health-related internet searching or waiting

Change of positive and negative affect before and after 8 minutes of health-related internet searching or waiting

Timeframe: right before and after 8 minutes of health-related internet searching or waiting

Change of symptom severity before and after 8 minutes of health-related internet searching or waiting

Timeframe: right before and after 8 minutes of health-related internet searching or waiting

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03024593

SponsorJohannes Gutenberg University Mainz

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2018-09

Contact for this trial

Sandra K Hamann, Dipl.-Psych.

(+49) 6131 - 3939 214 sahamann@uni-mainz.de

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Hypochondriasis trials

Plain-language summary

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.

What they're measuring

Change of health anxiety before and after 8 minutes of health-related internet searching or waiting

Timeframe: right before and after 8 minutes of health-related internet searching or waiting

Change of positive and negative affect before and after 8 minutes of health-related internet searching or waiting

Timeframe: right before and after 8 minutes of health-related internet searching or waiting

Change of symptom severity before and after 8 minutes of health-related internet searching or waiting

Timeframe: right before and after 8 minutes of health-related internet searching or waiting