CBT and the Neural Circuits of Anxiety

RECRUITING

NCT05549102

Sponsor: UCLH/UCL Joint Research Office

Summary

This study will aim to test whether specific neural circuitry changes, proposed on the basis of a neurocognitive model of anxiety, are a mechanism of action for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) interventions. This study aims to provide a theoretical model of the neurobiological mechanisms of CBT's therapeutic effect, where there currently is none, and potentially allow for more targeted/specific approaches to anxiety disorders following the identification of key CBT mechanisms. The ultimate aim is to improve the efficacy of CBT, and more generally, psychological interventions for anxiety disorders.

Official title: The Impact of CBT on Shock-Potentiated Neural Circuity

Key Details

Gender

All

Age Range

18 Years - 64 Years

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

174

Start Date

2020-02-02

Completion Date

2025-12-01

Last Updated

2025-06-29

Healthy Volunteers

Not specified

Conditions

Generalised Anxiety Disorder Anxiety Disorders CBT Anxiety Depression Anxiety Disorders and Symptoms Anxiety Generalized Anxiety Anxiety Disorder Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Mixed With Depression (Mild)

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

In the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy group (N=87), patients will undergo CBT as part of their routine care in Step 3 of the IAPT programme. This will be administered by suitably trained clinicians. The specification of CBT is as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines (CG113 - Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults: management). In these guidelines, patients are offered on average, 12-15 hourly, weekly sessions of CBT with a trained and competent practitioners. Therapy sessions involve discussions that identify patterns in thinking or behaviours which may be problematic, and therapists and patients work to set goals to reduce these using cognitive techniques. The principle is to teach the patient how to use CBT techniques in their day-to-day life to promote a lasting effect on mental health. We will test patients before (T1) and after (T2) a course of treatment.

OTHER

Waiting List

In the control group (N=87), we will test patients who are currently seeking (but not undergoing) treatment before (T1) and after a wait (T2) of equivalent time (i.e. waiting list controls)

Locations (1)

Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London

London, United Kingdom

Clinical Research Directory