The impact of hydrocortisone on inhibitory learning in specific phobia

The impact of hydrocortisone on inhibitory learning in specific phobia - Cortisol, Exposure, and Renewal

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00011570

Enrollment

Registered

2017-01-25

Start date

2015-04-23

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2025-04-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

specific phobia (animal type

Interventions

Group 1: 20 mg hydrocortisone (2 tablets / 10 mg) after exposure Group 2: placebo (2 tablets) after exposure

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 65 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: BMI = 19-27; specific phobia according to DSM-IV criteria (animal type; spider phobia)

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: * any mental disorder that is considered more severe than spider phobia as well as any current psychological/psychiatric treatment * any somatic / neurological / endocrine / metabolic disease * pharmacological treatment * pregnancy * smoking > 5 cigarettes per month * drug or alcohol abuse

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Effects of hydrocortisone on fear renewal: at follow-up (4 weeks after exposure), behavioral approach tests (BATs) with spiders will be conducted in the familiar context (i.e. treatment context) or a novel context. During the behavioral approach tests, heart rate will be measured and subjective fear will be assessed using the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUD)	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Effects of hydrocortisone on inhibitory learning in specific phobia: at all assessments (i.e. pre-exposure, post-exposure, follow-up, long-term follow-up) we will use the following measures: a) BATs (during which heart rate and subjective fear will be measured; b) spider fear related questionnaires (i.e. Fear of Spiders Questionnaire; Spider Phobia Questionnaire; Spider Beliefs Questionnaire; c) salivary cortisol; Control variables comprise depression, anxiety, stress, self-efficacy and emotion regulation which will be assessed using questionnaires. Participants will complete these questionnaires at pre-treatment.	—

Measure

Time frame

Effects of hydrocortisone on inhibitory learning in specific phobia: at all assessments (i.e. pre-exposure, post-exposure, follow-up, long-term follow-up) we will use the following measures: a) BATs (during which heart rate and subjective fear will be measured; b) spider fear related questionnaires (i.e. Fear of Spiders Questionnaire; Spider Phobia Questionnaire; Spider Beliefs Questionnaire; c) salivary cortisol; Control variables comprise depression, anxiety, stress, self-efficacy and emotion regulation which will be assessed using questionnaires. Participants will complete these questionnaires at pre-treatment.

—

Countries

Germany

Contacts

Public ContactArmin Zlomuzica

Ruhr-Universität Bochum,Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie

armin.zlomuzica@rub.de+49 234 / 32 22347

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026