Psychological Clinical Trials 2023

What Are Psychological Clinical Trials?

Psychology clinical trials are designed to find treatments for patients with psychological disorders. Approximately 50% of Americans have been diagnosed with various psychological disorders at some point in their lives. Clinical trials are ongoing to find effective therapies to treat various conditions.

There are currently 42 psychology clinical trials underway (2023 – 2023), covering a wide spectrum of disorders.

Researchers face challenges because psychological issues do not only arise from mood and personality disorders and other illnesses, traumatic life events, circumstances, and interpersonal relationships.

New behavior modification and coping techniques are constantly being tested, and outcomes are measured against patient and medical practitioner feedback.

Why Is Psychology Being Studied Through Clinical Trials?

Psychology studies how the mind affects behavior and aims to provide solutions, symptom management, change in behavior, and overall improved quality of life.

Because psychology deals with a whole host of conditions, the prescribed treatments for patients are personalized and often require ongoing, long-term therapy and interventions.

There are various branches of psychology focusing on specific disorders and psychological practices. The primary psychology disciplines are:

• Clinical Psychology combines science with a personal assessment and practical application.
• Cognitive Psychology’s primary focus is on understanding thought processes, perceptions, comprehension, awareness, and communication.
• Counseling Psychology aims to support and counsel patients through trauma, distress, and interpersonal relationships.
• Forensic Psychology works in conjunction with the law. It includes investigating criminal activities and cases such as child abuse, mental competence, and other issues for courts and legal scenarios.
• Industrial Organizational Psychology is applied in the workplace. It provides solutions to the emotional well-being of employees, performance enhancement, and workplace challenges.
• Personality Psychology analyses the various mood and personality disorders unique to each individual.
• School Psychology deals with academic and learning issues as well as emotional and social issues and students’ ability to function well in this environment.
• Sport Psychology’s objective is to find ways to train sports players to concentrate and remain focused, mentally prepare and deal with stresses related to sports challenges.

What Are The Types Of Treatments Available For Psychology?

Psychology encompasses a range of treatment options designed to assist patients in coping with various psychological disorders. This practice provides treatments known as psychotherapy. The five primary psychology treatment paths are:

• Psychoanalysis addresses behaviors and feelings and explores these with close consultation between a patient and a psychologist. This field of psychology applies psychodynamics to treat patients. It looks at uncovering subconscious motivations that impact the patient’s behavior and thought patterns.
• Behavioral therapy focuses on the impact that learning has on behavior. Modern treatments center around behavior modification techniques.
• Cognitive therapy is founded on the principle that thoughts are the source of behavior, and for change to be effected, thoughts and thought patterns must be modified.
• Humanistic therapies encourage patients to make logical decisions that ultimately benefit their quality of life and assist them in reaching their maximum potential.

Although these four schools of psychotherapy all have sound, scientifically proven success, psychologists generally use a combination of therapies designed for the ultimate benefit of each patient.

What Are Some Recent Breakthrough Clinical Trials For Psychology?

2023: A current clinical trial by the University of Cataluna aims to determine whether construct therapy combined with Virtual Reality benefits young people diagnosed with depression more than psychotherapy. Algorithms drive psychotherapy. The premise for the trial is that virtual reality may appeal more to young people.

2023: The gameChange VR program is specifically designed to assist individuals with psychosis. The digital program has shown success with patients affected by agoraphobia, depression, anxiety, and delusions. Research proves that the program has continued success at 6-month clinical consultations.

Who Are Some Of The Key Opinion Leaders In Psychological Clinical Trial Research?

Peter M. Wehmeier, MD, CPI, FACRP MDD, is a psychotherapist interested in mental exhaustion leading to burnout and depression. He has extensive experience in research and lectures at the University of Heidelberg in Frankfurt, Germany.

Margaret Crane has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Temple University and Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Harvard University. She has experience evaluating randomized research, and her area of specialization is treating anxiety in children and adolescents. She is associated with the Society of Implementation research collaboration behavioral and cognitive therapies.