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Dose Timing of D-Cycloserine to Augment CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder
Sponsor: Jasper A. Smits
Summary
The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of 50 mg of d-cycloserine in comparison to placebo (a pill containing no medication) for improving the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing symptoms associated with social anxiety disorder. In addition, the study will examine whether the effectiveness of d-cycloserine depends on the timing of the pill administration (i.e., 1- hour before the session or immediately after the session) as well as the success of the CBT therapy sessions. The investigators hypothesize that the tailored post-session DCS administration condition will outperform the other conditions (pre-session DCS, placebo, and non-tailored post-session DCS). This will be evidenced by short- and long-term improvements in social anxiety severity.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 70 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
152
Start Date
2014-04
Completion Date
2018-07-01
Last Updated
2026-06-15
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
D-Cycloserine
D-cycloserine is a medication thought to be associated with fear extinction.
Placebo
Sugar pill
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This will be a 5-session version of a group CBT protocol with 4-6 patients and 2 therapists per group emphasizing repeated exposure practices. Session 1 involves an introduction and orientation to the CBT model. Sessions 2-5 emphasize repeated exposure tasks, which consist of role-play activities to confront fearful situations in a group setting while disputing cognitive distortions (coupled with the fading of safety behaviors). At the conclusion of each exposure session, patients will be encouraged to continue to apply home-practice strategies (such as giving speeches in front of a mirror). Continued practice of the interventions will be considered part of treatment, and patients will be asked to refrain from alternative treatment for four weeks following completion of the last treatment session.
Locations (3)
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas, United States