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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02361203

Exercise and Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Acrophobia

The purpose of this study is to determine whether aerobic exercise can enhance the effects of exposure therapy treatment for fear of heights.

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Key information

Conditions

Fear of Heights Acrophobia

Age range

18 year–25 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Texas at Austin

Austin, Texas, 78712, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18 to 25
  • Speaks English fluently
  • Score of 80 or higher on the Acrophobia Questionnaire
  • SUDS rating of 50 or higher on the Behavioral Avoidance Test or complete refusal to comply with instructions due to intensity of fear
  • Passes the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire-Plus

Exclusion criteria

  • Hearing or visually impaired
  • Currently receiving exposure-based treatment for acrophobia
  • Able to remain on floor 20 for 30 seconds during BAT with a SUDS rating < 50

Treatment and study plan

Exercise

Behavioral

30 minutes of aerobic exercise on a treadmill at 80% of participant's heart rate reserve.

Primary outcomes

  1. Fear scores

    Time frame: 7 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy

    Change in fear scores using subjective units of distress will be assessed.

  2. Perceived threat likelihood scores

    Time frame: 7 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy

    Change in the perception of threat likelihood on a scale from 1-5 will be assessed.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Skin conductance fluctuations

    Time frame: 7 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy

    Changes in skin conductance fluctuations will be assessed.

  2. Heart rate fluctuations

    Time frame: 7 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy

    Heart rate fluctuations will be assessed.

  3. Acrophobia Severity

    Time frame: 14 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy

    Change in score on the Acrophobia Questionnaire

  4. Attitudes Toward Heights

    Time frame: 14 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy

    Change in score on the Attitudes Toward Heights Inventory

  5. Clinical Global Improvement

    Time frame: 14 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy

    Change in score on the Clinical Global Improvement Scale

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Texas at Austin

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2016
Study completion
2016
First posted
Feb 11, 2015
Registry last updated
Feb 2, 2016

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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