Panic Disorder
Conditions
Brief summary
Animal and human fear conditioning studies have repeatedly shown that administering propranolol before or after retrieval of a previously acquired fear results in an elimination of the fear expression. This approach, known as disruption of fear memory reconsolidation, is a promising new avenue for treating anxiety disorders. The present study aims to test its efficacy in patients with panic disorder.
Interventions
DRUGPropranolol
Intake of propranolol pill (40 milligram)
DRUGPlacebo
Intake of placebo pill (40 milligram)
OTHERCarbon dioxide
Inhalation of 35% carbon dioxide
OTHERCompressed air
Inhalation of air
Sponsors
VU University of Amsterdam
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* a primary diagnosis of panic disorder according to DSM-V * written approval of an independent physician for participation
Exclusion criteria
* other relevant treatment for panic disorder at the time of study - e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) * diagnosis of depression * diagnosis of psychosis * use of psychotropic medication * history of pulmonary diseases * metabolic acidosis * history of cardiovascular diseases * heart problems among first-degree relatives * heart rate (HR) \< 60 * blood pressure (BP) \< 90-60 or BP \> 170-100 * history of black-outs or fainting * diabetes * liver or kidney diseases * hyperactive production of thyroid hormones * epilepsy * any medication contra-indicative of the use of propranolol * pregnancy
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in the number of participants diagnosed with panic disorder assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth addition (DSM-IV) Axis I Disorders | Baseline and 3 months |
| Change in score on the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS-SR) | Baseline, 7 days, 3 months |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in score on the Panic Appraisal Inventory (PAI) | Baseline, 7 days, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year | — |
| Change in score on the Mobility Inventory (MI) | Baseline, 7 days, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year | — |
| Change in score on the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ) | Baseline, 7 days, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year | — |
| Change in the number of participants diagnosed with panic disorder assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders | Baseline, 6 months, 1 year | — |
| Change in score on the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS-SR) | Baseline, 6 months, 1 year | — |
| Change in score on the Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ) | Baseline, 7 days, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year | — |
| Carbon dioxide challenge using a visual analogue scale ranging from 0-100 mm | 3 months | Participants are asked to rate on a visual analogue scale ranging from 0-100 mm the degree to which they are willing to inhale carbon dioxide again if this were requested. Secondly, participants will indeed be requested to perform the challenge a second time and rate on the visual analogue scale how anxious it made them feel. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Score on the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) | Baseline |
Contacts
Primary ContactArnold A.P. van Emmerik, PhD
Outcome results
None listed