Respiratory Training in the Treatment of Transdiagnostic Pathological Anxiety
Respiratory Training in the Treatment of Transdiagnostic Pathological Anxiety: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Who can join
Ages 18 and older · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Clinically elevated anxiety as indicated by an eight or higher on the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS). 2. Meets DSM-5 criteria for one or more of the following anxiety or trauma-related disorders as their "primary" mental disorder: * Generalized Anxiety Disorder * Panic Disorder * Health Anxiety * Agoraphobia * Social Anxiety Disorder * Posttraumatic Stress Disorder * Acute Stress Disorder * Adjustment Disorder with primary anxious mood * Anxiety disorder not otherwise specified 3. No current use of psychotropic medications or stable on current medications for at least 6 weeks 4. Age 18+. 5. Able to arrange transportation to our laboratory for study appointments. 6. Fluent in English. Exclusion Criteria: 1. No history of medical conditions that would contraindicate participation in fear-provocation or respiratory challenges, including: * Cardiovascular or respiratory disorders * High blood pressure * Epilepsy * Strokes * Seizures * History of fainting * Pregnant or lactating 2. Not currently receiving other psychological treatment for anxiety. 3. No history of a suicide attempt within the past 6 months. 4. No history of psychosis within the past 6 months. 5. No history of moderate to severe alcohol or substance use disorder (with the exception of nicotine) within the past 3 months. 6. Does not endorse COVID-19 symptoms during the screening phase.
About the study
Purpose of the Research: The primary aim of the proposed study is to conduct a randomized parallel-group 2-arm clinical trial investigating capnometry-guided respiratory intervention (CGRI) for pathological anxiety. CGRI aims to raise end-tidal CO2 levels thereby lowering hyperventilation-induced respiratory alkalosis and its associated fear-eliciting somatic reactions. Psycho-education about anxiety and its effects (PsyEd) will serve as a credible control comparator.
What is being tested
- Capnometry-Guided Respiratory Intervention (device)
- Psycho-Education (behavioral)
Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin · Participants: 180 · Started: Aug 22, 2022
Contact the study team
- Michael J Telch, PhD · Phone: 512-814-5480
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05427708
Locations in the U.S.
| Texas | University of Texas at Austin, Austin |
Conditions
- Anxiety
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Acute Traumatic Stress Disorders
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.