Affect Treatment for Depression and Anxiety

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Must not be taking: Bupropion, Dopaminergic, Neuroleptic

Disqualifiers: Serious medical conditions, Suicidal ideation, Bipolar, Substance use, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 14

Duration: 8-13 weeks

10 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this study is to determine whether subjects who do not show expected clinical improvement during the early course of positive affect treatment (PAT) would benefit from switching to an alternative psychosocial treatment (negative affect treatment) that is designed to instead target and improve deficits in threat sensitivity. Participants will complete laboratory tests, psychiatric assessments, and self-report questionnaires as part of the study. The total length of participation is around 5 months.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals experiencing anxiety and depression who haven't improved with initial positive affect treatment. Participants will undergo lab tests, psychiatric assessments, and questionnaires over a 5-month period.

Inclusion Criteria

I agree not to start any new mental health or drug treatments until the study ends.

English-speaking

Low positive affect indexed by less than or equal to 24 on the positive affect subscale of the PANAS (PANAS-P); scores of greater than or equal to 11 for depression, greater than or equal to 6 for anxiety, or greater than or equal to 10 for stress on the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale; scores of greater than or equal to 5 on any Sheehan Disability Scale subscale

Exclusion Criteria

I do not consent to being recorded on video or audio.

I do not have any serious, uncontrolled medical conditions.

Willingness to refrain from marijuana use 1 week before laboratory assessments

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2 weeks

2 visits (virtual)

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete a baseline assessment including anhedonia interview and psychosocial questionnaires

2 weeks

4 assessments (virtual)

Treatment

Participants receive Positive Affect Treatment (PAT) with weekly therapy sessions. If no improvement, switch to Negative Affect Treatment (NAT)

8-13 weeks

8-13 sessions (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Positive Affect Treatment
• Positive Affect Treatment and Negative Affect Treatment

Trial Overview The study is testing if switching from Positive Affect Treatment (PAT) to Negative Affect Treatment improves outcomes for those not responding well to PAT alone in treating anxiety and depression.

Participant Groups

Group I: Positive Affect Treatment Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

8 sessions of psychotherapy designed to augment reward anticipation, reward attainment, and reward learning.

Group II: Positive Affect Treatment and Negative Affect Treatment Active Control 1 Intervention

8 sessions of psychotherapy. 3-5 sessions of psychotherapy designed to augment reward anticipation, reward attainment, and reward learning. Remaining sessions of psychotherapy designed to decrease threat avoidance, threat appraisal and arousal.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Los Angeles

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,594

Recruited

10,430,000+

Southern Methodist University

Collaborator

Trials

37

Recruited

6,000+