Anxiety & Depression Association of America

The goal of this study is to assess Parenting STAIR Modular (PSTAIR-M), a promising and innovative intervention for military-connected mothers (MCM) who have experienced trauma and their young children (ages 2-10). PSTAIR-M aims to help mothers manage the strong feelings that sometimes happen after experiencing something scary or stressful, as well as to better connect with their children and manage their behavior effectively. The main questions the study aims to answer are: 1) Does PSTAIR-M reduce maternal PTSD and/or depression symptoms?, and 2) Does PSTAIR-M improve parental functioning? Researchers will compare PSTAIR-M to treatment as usual (TAU) - other EBTs offered at participating study sites - to determine if PSTAIR-M is more effective in improving mental health and parenting. Participants will: 1) attend 12-16 weekly, 1-hour online treatment sessions with their assigned clinicians, 2) complete three 1-hour online assessments administered by research staff, 3) engage with their child in three 15-30-minute online, observed play sessions, and 4) have assessments audio and video recorded.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2025

open study

This is a Phase 2B clinical study evaluating the effectiveness and safety of SP-624 as compared to placebo in the treatment of adults with Major Depressive Disorder.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2024

open study

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an effective treatment for depression, but clinical outcome is suboptimal, partially because investigators are missing biologically-grounded brain markers which show that TMS is modifying activity at the intended target in the brain. The goal of this proposal is to characterize the key markers of the brain's response to repeated doses of TMS with high resolution using invasive brain recordings in humans, and relate these brain markers to noninvasive recordings. These markers will improve the understanding of TMS and can be used to optimize and enhance clinical efficacy for depression and other psychiatric disorders.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2023

open study

Many individuals with serious mental illness have difficulty accurately interpreting interpersonal cues and effectively engaging in social exchanges. Difficulties related to the interpersonal aspects of work can lead to isolation, poor productivity, and job loss. The goals of this study are to: 1) adapt an evidence-based social cognitive skills intervention for work settings and use with Veterans, 2) examine the acceptability of the work focused skills training intervention, 3) assess the feasibility of combining the social cognitive skills training program with supported employment, and 4) examine change on functional outcomes. The current study will use feedback from veteran and employment specialist stakeholders to adapt an evidence-based social cognitive skills training program, Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT). The intervention will be modified to tailor it to work relationships and to address any unique relationship concerns among Veterans that are identified by stakeholders. SCIT-Work Edition (SCIT-WE) will add: 1) education about work-related social norms; 2) examples of work-related social interactions that require perspective taking and problem- solving; 3) individual sessions with the study therapist to enhance learning and relevance to each participant's goals; 4) structured interactions with the participant's employment specialist to practice skills outside of group; and 5) skill application sessions with the participant's employment specialist that prompt use of skills after training is completed. SCIT-WE will be developed and piloted in an open trial with 20 Veterans enrolled in the supported employment program at the Minneapolis VA who have a qualifying serious mental illness diagnosis. SCIT-WE will be offered for 2 hours weekly over 13 weeks, when most participants are in the job development and job search phases of supported employment. While participating in the group skills training, participants will have weekly, individual homework review sessions with the group facilitator to promote understanding of the skills and to discuss relevance of the skills to personal goals. Participants also will practice skills weekly with their employment specialist for 10-15 minutes to promote use of skills outside of group sessions. In the 3-months following skills training completion, participants will complete 10 15-minute skills review sessions with their employment specialist to encourage continued skill application in a work setting. Participants will complete assessments at baseline, before receiving the intervention; 3-months post-enrollment, after participating in a weekly skills training group; and 6-months post-enrollment, after receiving 10 additional individual skills review sessions with their employment specialist. Accessibility will be measured with rate of treatment uptake, rate of treatment completion, and participant attitudes toward the intervention. Feasibility of the intervention will be assessed by examining retention in supported employment and the study at 3- and 6-months post-enrollment. Impact of the intervention will be examined with measures of quality of life, social adjustment, self-efficacy, and work relationship quality. It is hypothesized that the intervention will be acceptable to Veterans. The investigators predict a 50% treatment uptake rate, a 70% intervention completion rate, and positive ratings on measures of satisfaction, interest, and value. The investigators hypothesize that it will be feasible to complete this intervention in combination with supported employment activities. The investigators predict that retention in both skills training and supported employment will be 75% at 3-months post-enrollment and 60% 6-months post enrollment. The investigators hypothesize that positive change will be seen at 3-months post-enrollment and sustained at 6-months post-enrollment on measures of quality of life and social adjustment. The investigators predicted that self-efficacy regarding return to work will be improved at 3-months post-enrollment. The investigators predict that Veterans will report being productive and having positive work relationships 6-months post-enrollment. The findings will inform the development of a novel intervention targeting the social and functional impairments associated with serious mental illness. The knowledge gained from this study will guide the development of the next generation of interventions. Given that employment is a critical part of recovery, advancement in therapeutic interventions that support Veterans in this process will be of significance.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2022

open study

Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) commonly experience cognitive impairments including attention and executive function deficits that interfere with their ability to engage in productive personal and social activities. Of the limited interventions available to address cognition, none rigorously train attention beyond strategy management. This study will evaluate an innovatively combined strategy training known as Goal Management Training plus computerized attention training in Veterans with mTBI/PTSD. Preliminary testing suggests an effectiveness in improving problem solving, attention and functional tasks in a small number of Veterans. Considering these promising results, cost effectiveness, and the demand for access to care from Veterans living in rural areas, a Randomized Controlled Trial will determine and compare the effects of this treatment, administered either in-person or via telehealth, on executive function, attention, other aspects of cognition and real life functional tasks.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Nov 2022

open study

Individual with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder often use alcohol in ways that could cause them harm. Treating both mental health concerns and alcohol use at the same time can help reduce difficulties engaging in multiple treatments. The investigators are evaluating how a cognitive behavioral therapy program that helps Veterans with anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and alcohol use at the same time can help improve the participants lives.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Mar 2023

open study

Background: Anxiety disorders are becoming more common among children and teenagers. Anxiety can lead to long-term physical and mental problems, such as depression. Treatments for anxiety disorders include medications as well as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); CBT is a form of talking therapy. Both approaches work in only about 50 percent of cases. A new approach, called gaze-contingent music reward therapy (GCMRT), may help. Objective: To find out whether GCMRT combined with CBT is more effective than CBT alone. Eligibility: Children aged 8 to 17 years with separation anxiety disorder; generalized anxiety disorder; or social anxiety disorder. They must be enrolled in protocol 01-M-0192. Design: Participants will come to the clinic once a week for 4 weeks for CBT. Sometimes the participant will meet with the doctor alone; sometimes their parent may be present. They will do some computer-based tasks: They may be asked to push a button when a target appears; they may look at pictures of faces while the computer tracks their eye movements. Participants will take questionnaires each week. They will answer questions about their anxiety symptoms, feelings, and behavior. For the next 8 weeks, participants will participate in both CBT and 1 of 2 types of GCMRT. GCMRT is a computer-based task. Participants will look at pictures with many faces in them; while they do this, pleasant music will play and stop playing over a 12-minute period. Participants will have a final visit in week 13. They will take questionnaires. They will do final research tasks. Each visit lasts about 2 hours.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Dec 2024

open study

Study Description: This study examines relations between neurocognitive and clinical features of pediatric anxiety disorders. The study uses neuro-cognitive tasks, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), as well as magneto- and electro-encephalography (M/EEG). Patients will be studied over one year, before and after receiving either one of two standard-of-care treatments: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or fluoxetine, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Healthy comparisons will be studied at comparable time points. Primary Objectives: To compare healthy youth and symptomatic, medication-free pediatric patients studied prior to receipt of treatment. The study seeks to detect relations between clinical features of anxiety disorders at baseline and a wide range of neurocognitive features associated with attention, memory, and response to motivational stimuli. Secondary Objectives: 1. To document relations between baseline neurocognitive features and response to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or fluoxetine, as defined by the Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale (PARS) and Clinical Global Improvement (CGI) Scale. 2. To document relations between post-treatment changes in neurocognitive features and anxiety symptoms on the PARS following treatment with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or fluoxetine. 3. To document relations among broad arrays of clinical, cognitive, and neural measures Primary Endpoints: Indices of percent-signal change in hypothesized brain regions, comprising amygdala, striatum, and prefrontal cortex (PFC) for each fMRI and MEG paradigm. Secondary Endpoints: 1. Treatment-response as defined by a continuous measure, the Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale score (PARS), and a categorial measure, the Clinical Global Improvement (CGI) score. 2. Levels of symptoms and behaviors evoked by tasks that engage attention, memory, and elicit responses to motivational stimuli.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2001

open study

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a four-week heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback intervention to improve physiological stress response, emotion regulation, and anxiety-related symptoms in young ethnic minority adults with a family history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group, where they will engage in guided paced breathing exercises, or a control group, which will follow standard conditions without the intervention. The study consists of five sessions, including an initial assessment, three weekly check-in sessions, and a final post-intervention assessment. Participants will practice paced breathing at home and attend brief in-lab sessions to track progress. Physiological and psychological measures, such as HRV, GSR, BP, anxiety levels, and responses to the Socially Evaluated Cold Pressor Test (SECPT), will be used to assess outcomes. Findings from this study may provide insights into accessible, non-invasive stress management interventions to mitigate CVD risk in high-risk populations.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2025

open study

The present study will assess the effects of a four-week digitally delivered intervention on physical activity and depressive symptoms among adults experiencing at least moderate depressive symptoms. The main questions this research aims to answer are: - Does a digitally-delivered intervention increase physical activity levels? - Does a digitally-delivered intervention reduce symptoms of depression? Researchers will compare an intervention promoting physical activity to a passive control (does not receive the intervention) group to see if the intervention reduces depressive symptoms and increases physical activity levels. Participants will: - Visit the laboratory at two separate time points before group assignment, separated by one week of physical activity monitoring - Be randomly assigned to complete four weeks of a digital intervention prompting engagement in physical activity or have their mental health symptoms monitored over four weeks (i.e., passive control group) - Visit the laboratory at two separate time points after the intervention, separated by one week of physical activity monitoring

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2025

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to pilot a randomized controlled trial comparing an adaptation of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to the health enhancement program for chronic pain and depression. The main questions it aims to answer in a later fully powered randomized controlled trial are: - Is an adaptation of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for older Black adults able to improve quality of life? - Will an adapted mindfulness based cognitive therapy reduce pain interference to a greater degree than a traditional health enhancement program?

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2025

open study

This U.S. Phase 3 clinical trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the acute intranasal (i.n.) administration of Fasedienol Nasal Spray (fasedienol) (3.2 µg) to relieve symptoms of acute anxiety in adult subjects ages 18 through 65 with Social Anxiety Disorder induced by a public speaking challenge (PSC) in a clinical setting. In addition, safety and tolerability of i.n. administration of 3.2 µg of fasedienol, as-needed, up to 6 times per day for up to 12 months, will be assessed in those subjects who complete PALISADE-4 and choose to enter the distinct open-label extension phase of the study.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

The Fit2Play prospective cohort study examines the effects of a park-based youth physical activity afterschool program on youth participant fitness and mental health outcomes. Duke will perform a secondary analysis of the data collected as part of the Fit2Play prospective cohort study run by Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation.

Type: Observational

Start Date: May 2020

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) to part of the brain called the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) can treat a symptom called rumination in adults with major depression that has not responded to at least one medication trial. The main question it aims to answer are: Does TMS to the VMPFC change brain activity on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a negative self-referential processing task in adults with depression? Does TMS to the VMPFC affect rumination in adults with depression? Researchers will compare brain scans and rumination scores before, during, and immediately after TMS. Participants will: Undergo three functional MRI scans Undergo a course of 20 TMS treatments Respond to clinical questionnaires and complete a computer behavioral task

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2024

open study

This clinical trial will compare the effects of Swedish massage or light touch therapy on brain activity and symptoms of anxiety. This is a randomized research study and subjects will be randomized into one of two study touch intervention groups, and will have an equal chance of being placed in one of the groups: 1. Swedish massage therapy twice per week for 6 weeks. 2. Light touch therapy twice per week for 6 weeks. The Primary Objective is to identify brain networks activated by touch interventions using fMRI brain imaging in subjects with generalized anxiety disorder. Subjects will undergo two fMRI scanning sessions (one before and one after) twice per week for 6 weeks of touch intervention. Subjects will also be asked to complete questionnaires on anxiety, stress and depression.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: May 2024

open study

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of bilateral stimulation of the subcallosal cingulate white matter (SCCwm) using Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) as an adjunctive treatment of non-psychotic unipolar Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Sep 2024

open study

Apimostinel shows initial promise as a novel rapid-acting antidepressant medication with minimal side effects or safety concerns. Cognitive Training (CT) is a digital intervention that has shown promise in extending the durability of another similar drug (ketamine). This randomized controlled trial will test the efficacy and safety of apimostinel (vs. placebo) for the acute treatment of depression, and will test the potential of CT to enhance and/or extend the durability of apimostinel's antidepressant effect.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2024

open study

This study is funded by the HEAL Initiative (https://heal.nih.gov/). Based on Preliminary Studies (PSs), the research team developed and pilot-tested an evidence-based Web App-based information and coaching/support program for cancer pain management (CAPA) that was culturally tailored to Asian American breast cancer survivors using multiple unique features. However, CAPA rarely considered depressive symptoms accompanying pain in its design or components, and PSs indicated the necessity of further individualization of the intervention components of CAPA due to diversities in the needs of ABD. The purpose of the proposed 2-phase study is to further develop CAPA with additional components for ABD and the individual optimization functionality (CAI) and to test the efficacy of CAI in improving cancer pain experience of ABD. The specific aims are to: a) develop and evaluate CAI through an expert review and a usability test (R61 phase); b) determine whether the intervention group (that uses CAI and usual care) will show significantly greater improvements than the active control group (that uses CAPA and usual care) in primary outcomes (cancer pain management and cancer pain experience including depressive symptoms) from baseline to post 1-month and post 3-months; c) identify theory-based variables (attitudes, self-efficacy, perceived barriers, and social influences) that mediate the intervention effects of CAI on the primary outcomes; and d) determine whether the effects of CAI on the primary outcomes are moderated by selected background, disease, genetic, and situational factors. This study is guided by the Bandura's Theory and the stress and coping framework by Lazarus and Folkman. The R61 phase includes: (a) the intervention development process, (b) a usability test among 15 ABD, 15 family members, and 15 community gatekeepers; and (c) an expert review among 10 experts in oncology. The R33 phase adopts a randomized repeated measures control group design among 300 ABD. Long-term goals are: (a) to extend and test CAI in various healthcare settings with diverse subgroups of ABD, (b) examine the costeffectiveness, sustainability, and scalability of CAI in the settings, and (c) translate CAI into health care for ABD.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Feb 2024

open study

This study, "Biobehavioral Intervention to Reduce PTSD Symptoms After an ICD Shock," addresses a critical need in cardiology care by describing the feasibility and acceptability of a timely, highly promising, electronically-delivered intervention for patients who have recently received an ICD delivered shock. The study intervention and outcomes are designed to reduce anxiety, enhance return to activities of daily living (ADLs), and prevent the development of severe distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and ultimately promote quality of life. The study is a two-arm, embedded mixed methods, randomized trial (N=60, 30/group). The purpose is to determine feasibility and potential effects of a self-management intervention (SPSM) plus usual care (UC) compared to UC alone, delivered during the critical 1 month period after an ICD shock when distress is high. The intervention will be delivered over 1 month following an ICD shock; a 6-month follow-up will be used to assess the sustainability of intervention effects and determine if the incidence of PTSD is reduced. SPSM includes: 1) training in heart rate (HR) self-monitoring; and 2) individualized learning through 4 self-paced, web-based modules. The study interventions are delivered at a crucial time, closely after an ICD shock when stress is high, but PTSD has not yet developed. The specific aims are to: 1) examine the effects of the SPSM intervention plus UC vs. UC alone on the primary outcome of ICD shock anxiety at 1 and 6 months post-shock event, 2) describe the impact of SPSM plus UC compared to UC alone on the secondary outcomes of total daily physical activity, depression, PTSD symptoms, QOL, salivary cortisol levels, and self-efficacy and outcome expectations at 1 and 6 months post-shock event, and 3) assess feasibility, acceptability, and safety of the SPSM intervention, SDOH will be used to describe differential responses to the SPSM intervention. This study fills a significant gap in the care of patients with an ICD, through the systematic testing of a brief, novel and cost-effective intervention that provides the knowledge and skills to improve quality of life. Study findings will be used to design future larger RCTs to test intervention effectiveness for more diverse samples and settings.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2024

open study

This research study is being done to investigate if the GH Method exercise program positively affects body composition, improves physical abilities and can improve the overall sense of wellbeing (e.g. depression, PTSD, etc.) in U.S. Veterans. Subjects will be asked to complete 94 total visits (four (4) study testing visits and 90 exercise visits). Enrolled subjects will be tested for fitness, strength, and health risk factors at UIC 4 times and will complete 90 exercise training visits at the GH FITLab over the next 18 months. Subjects will also be asked to complete questionnaires about depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms and thoughts about harming oneself.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Oct 2021

open study

We propose to test the hypothesis that bezafibrate, a pan-PPAR agonist, may be effective and safe for bipolar depression with the following specific aims: Aim #1. Proof-of-Concept Safety and Tolerability Aim: To assess the safety and tolerability of bezafibrate added to anti-manic medication for bipolar depression, especially with regard to worsening manic symptoms and suicidal ideation. We will conduct a phase IIa, 8-week, open pilot trial of bezafibrate added to FDA-approved anti-manic medication in 30 participants with bipolar depression. We will monitor changes in manic symptoms (Young Mania Rating Scale), suicidal ideation, cognitive functioning specifically in attention and verbal memory, and treatment emergent adverse events (SAFTEE). We will also monitor changes in the Framingham Cardiovascular Risk Score. Aim #2. Preliminary Assessment of Efficacy: To assess the antidepressant efficacy of bezafibrate added to anti-manic medication for acute bipolar I major depressive episodes. Hypothesis: The bezafibrate group will have a statistically significant decrease in the Montgomery Asberg Rating Scale (MADRS) Scores over 8 weeks. The results of this proof-of concept phase IIa study will help us to plan a placebo-controlled randomized trial. In summary, we propose an 8-week, proof-of-concept open pilot trial of an adjunctive pan-PPAR agonist, bezafibrate, for 30 patients with an acute bipolar I major depressive episode. The study may have a profound impact on the development of a novel treatment consistent with the mitochondrial dysregulation hypothesis of bipolar disorder and, to the best of our knowledge, will be the first proof-of-concept trial to assess a pan-PPAR agonist for bipolar disorder.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jan 2018

open study

This study will adapt and assess the preliminary effectiveness of a community health worker-delivered mental health counselling intervention delivered remotely to reduce anxiety and depression among people with HIV in Florida.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Jul 2025

open study

This pilot study evaluates the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of home-based 60Hz intermittent light therapy in adults with a major depressive episode (MDE). Participants will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either active or sham 60Hz intermittent light stimulation for 30 minutes daily (Monday through Friday) over three weeks. The light is delivered through a wearable headset. Clinical assessments will be conducted remotely at baseline, mid-point, post-treatment, and follow-up to measure changes in depressive symptoms.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2025

open study

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to learn if tai chi/qigong decreases depressive symptoms among older people living with HIV compared to a health education class. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does tai chi/qigong reduce depressive symptoms among older people living with HIV more than a health education class? What are the behavioral, psychological, and biological mechanisms in which tai chi/qigong affects depressive symptoms? Does tai chi/qigong affect depressive symptoms among older people living with HIV differently for men compared to women? Researchers will compare a 12-week, twice a week remotely delivered tai chi/qigong intervention to a health education class of the same duration to determine if it improves depressive symptoms among older people living with HIV. Participants will: Attend either a tai chi/qigong class twice a week for 12 weeks or a health education class of the same duration delivered via Zoom. Each class will be 45-60 minutes in length. Participate in 3 separate interviewer-administered interviews: at the time of enrollment, 3 months after the last class, and 9 months after the last class. Keep a tracking log of their home practice of tai chi/qigong (only participants in the intervention group). Use a biosensor (an earlobe sensor or chest strap) to measure their heart variability. Go to their local lab (e.g., Quest or Labcorp) for blood draw at the time of enrollment and at 9 month post intervention (this will only be a subset of participants).

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2025

open study

Anxiety and depression symptoms occur at high rates in Veteran populations and can significantly impact function, compromising the ability to work and to successfully form and maintain valued relationships. Several other symptoms commonly occur with anxiety and depression, including poor sleep quality and chronic pain. Since all these symptoms frequently occur together, they may have a common underlying biological basis. A single medication that could effectively treat all these symptoms would be ideal. Converging data suggest that pregnenolone is a promising pharmacological agent for treating multiple psychiatric symptoms and functional impairment. The investigators thus propose to conduct a clinical trial of pregnenolone in Veterans with anxiety and depression symptoms. Pregnenolone has minimal side effects, and the prior research demonstrates that pregnenolone is well-tolerated by Veterans. Treatment with pregnenolone could thus be an efficacious new therapeutic for Veterans experiencing depression, anxiety, poor sleep quality and chronic pain conditions.

Type: Interventional

Start Date: Aug 2025

open study