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Respiratory Training in the Treatment of Transdiagnostic Pathological Anxiety

Key facts

Who runs it
University of Texas at Austin
Where
Austin, United StatesSee the site
Trial code
Status
Recruiting
People taking part
180 people, planned
Started
22 Aug 2022
Expected to end
May 2027
Type of study
Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets an existing treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested
  • Capnometry-Guided Respiratory Intervention
  • Psycho-Education
Record updated
24 August 2025

Who can take part

Age
18 years and older
Sex
Women and men
Healthy volunteers
Cannot take part

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 12 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

  • Clinically elevated anxiety as indicated by an eight or higher on the Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS)
  • Meets DSM-5 criteria for one or more of the following anxiety or trauma-related disorders as their "primary" mental disorder:; Generalized Anxiety Disorder; Panic Disorder; Health Anxiety; Agoraphobia; Social Anxiety Disorder; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder; Acute Stress Disorder; Adjustment Disorder with primary anxious mood; Anxiety disorder not otherwise specified
  • No current use of psychotropic medications or stable on current medications for at least 6 weeks
  • Age 18+
  • Able to arrange transportation to our laboratory for study appointments
  • Fluent in English

Who cannot take part

  • Not currently receiving other psychological treatment for anxiety
  • No history of medical conditions that would contraindicate participation in fear-provocation or respiratory challenges, including:; Cardiovascular or respiratory disorders; High blood pressure; Epilepsy; Strokes; Seizures; History of fainting; Pregnant or lactating
  • No history of a suicide attempt within the past 6 months
  • No history of psychosis within the past 6 months
  • No history of moderate to severe alcohol or substance use disorder (with the exception of nicotine) within the past 3 months
  • Does not endorse COVID-19 symptoms during the screening phase

Where in United States

  • University of Texas at AustinAustin, United StatesTaking people

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

Purpose of the Research: The primary aim of the proposed study is to conduct a randomized parallel-group 2-arm clinical trial investigating capnometry-guided respiratory intervention (CGRI) for pathological anxiety. CGRI aims to raise end-tidal CO2 levels thereby lowering hyperventilation-induced respiratory alkalosis and its associated fear-eliciting somatic reactions. Psycho-education about anxiety and its effects (PsyEd) will serve as a credible control comparator.

The 2 groups in the trial

  • Capnometry-Guided Respiratory Intervention (CGRI)Treatment being tested

    If assigned to this condition, participants will be expected to complete twice-daily 17-minute tablet-assisted breathing exercises at home for four weeks. They will also receive brief phone check-ins with their study therapist weekly to review progress and troubleshoot any problems they may be experiencing. Last, these participants will have access to a paced-breathing app that provides audio recordings to maintain specified breathing rates for up to 10 minutes.

    Treatment: Capnometry-Guided Respiratory Intervention

  • Psycho-Education (PsyEd)Existing treatment, for comparison

    If assigned to the psycho-education condition, participants will watch pre-recorded 20-minute video presentations once-weekly for four weeks. They will meet with a study staff member to watch these videos, who will be available to answer any questions. During these sessions, they will be provided information about the nature and causes of anxiety-related disorders and learn tips for coping with anxiety symptoms when they arise. At the end of their sessions with the therapist, they will receive handouts that will help reinforce what they've learned.

    Treatment: Psycho-Education

Questions to ask the study team

  1. How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
  2. Are travel costs paid?
  3. Can I keep my own doctor?
  4. What happens if I want to stop?

Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations

Print a page for my doctor

Data and sources

Registry record
Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Official title
Respiratory Training in the Treatment of Transdiagnostic Pathological Anxiety: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Record updated
24 August 2025