Panic Disorder

Researchers are evaluating erectile function changes in male patients who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for either a heart attack or stable angina. The study aims to understand how myocardial infarction affects erectile function over time and to explore whether erectile dysfunction can predict future cardiac events. This observational study compares erectile function between patients with myocardial infarction and those with stable angina using standardized questionnaires. Participants are grouped into two sets: those treated with PCI after a heart attack and those treated due to stable angina. Erectile function is assessed at baseline (after recovery from PCI), and at 3 and 6 months post-procedure using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Additional assessments include the Beck Depression Inventory and Fear of Cardiac Recurrence and Progression Scale. Researchers also collect clinical data such as cardiac vessel scores, ejection fraction, testosterone levels, body measurements, medication use, and the intervention method. During the study, male participants aged 30 to 75 will complete face-to-face interviews and questionnaires at specified intervals: baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after PCI. The study measures changes in erectile function scores over time and examines associations with cardiac health, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Safety and participation are monitored throughout the follow-up period. The total duration of involvement is up to 6 months, with evaluations focusing on erectile function and related health parameters.

This observational study investigates the relationship between tongue color features and anxiety-depression levels in patients receiving acupuncture. Researchers aim to see if tongue photographs taken with standard smartphone cameras can predict scores on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), which measures anxiety and depression severity. The goal is to explore a new, non-invasive way to assess mental health using machine learning analysis. Participants will have their tongues photographed using an iPhone under standardized conditions to ensure consistent lighting and positioning. They will also complete the MADRS questionnaire during a routine acupuncture visit. No treatments or invasive procedures will be changed or added during the study. The collected data will be analyzed with machine learning methods to identify patterns between tongue color and anxiety-depression scores. During the study, participants only need to attend one visit where tongue images and questionnaire responses are collected. Researchers will measure the correlation between tongue color metrics and MADRS scores at this single timepoint. There are no additional treatments or follow-ups required. The study uses everyday technology to make this assessment easy and accessible in clinical settings, aiming to improve early detection and monitoring of anxiety and depression.

Researchers are evaluating a community health worker-delivered mental health counseling intervention delivered remotely via a mobile health app to reduce anxiety and depression among people living with HIV in Florida. This pilot randomized controlled trial aims to assess the preliminary effectiveness of this adapted positive affect counseling approach compared to the standard version of the app and usual mental health care. The study is sponsored by the University of Florida and focuses on improving mental health outcomes in this population. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive approximately five weekly 60-minute individual counseling sessions via secure video calls through a modified PositiveLinks app that includes enhanced mental health resources. If symptoms do not improve, participants may be referred to a licensed mental health professional. The control group will use the standard PositiveLinks app, which provides feedback on anxiety and depression symptoms and a list of local mental health resources without counseling. During the study, data will be collected from participants' electronic medical records and the app for about six months after enrollment. Researchers will measure changes in anxiety and depression levels at three months as primary outcomes. Participants will provide informed consent before joining, and there is no masking or blinding in the trial. The study will monitor mental health symptoms and the use of counseling through app data and medical records to evaluate the intervention's preliminary effectiveness.

Researchers are comparing two school-based programs, Facing Your Fears-School Based (FYF-SB) and Zones of Regulation (ZOR), to see which is more effective at reducing anxiety and improving emotion regulation in autistic students aged 8 to 14 years. This study focuses on autistic youth who experience anxiety and aims to help schools better support their mental health, especially students from underserved communities. The trial will also assess how well each program is accepted by students, caregivers, and school providers. The study involves 200 autistic students with anxiety who will be randomly assigned to one of the two programs for 12 weeks. FYF-SB uses cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) strategies focused on anxiety reduction through psychoeducation and gradual exposure to fears. ZOR teaches students to recognize and manage emotions by categorizing feelings into four "zones" using color codes and providing strategies to regulate emotions. Trained school providers will deliver the programs to small groups of students in their schools. Participants will be evaluated before and after the intervention, with a follow-up six months later. Assessments include anxiety and emotion regulation measures completed by students, caregivers, teachers, and independent evaluators. The study will also track school attendance, disciplinary actions, academic participation, and satisfaction with the programs. Researchers will examine treatment effects and gather feedback through surveys and interviews to understand how feasible and acceptable each program is in school settings.

Researchers are developing and testing a culturally adapted mobile health application aimed at Black individuals who engage in hazardous drinking and experience clinical anxiety. This study evaluates a personalized feedback intervention (PFI) designed to increase knowledge about the harmful relationship between anxiety and alcohol use, motivate reduction in risky drinking, and change attitudes towards anxiety-related alcohol consumption. The intervention is delivered through a brief, single-session mobile application available on Android and iOS platforms. Participants complete a 45-minute session at the start and then have access to the app's materials for up to three months. The app was created with expert input and usability testing from Black hazardous drinkers with clinical anxiety to ensure cultural relevance and ease of use. Participants will take part remotely, with initial screening and baseline assessments conducted via Zoom. Follow-up data will be collected remotely at one week, one month, and three months after the intervention. Researchers will measure changes in alcohol use, anxiety severity, motivation to reduce drinking, drinking motives, and alcohol attitudes to assess the app’s feasibility, acceptability, and initial effects.

Researchers are evaluating whether a new blood biomarker can help identify depression and schizophrenia in patients attending psychiatric clinics. The study aims to see if changes in this biomarker can distinguish depressed patients who respond to treatment from those who do not, and differentiate individuals having a first psychotic episode from those at risk of developing schizophrenia. This observational study involves up to 500 participants grouped by diagnosis into Depression (DEP) and Psychosis/Schizophrenia (PSY) arms. Participants will attend three study visits over six months, during which blood samples and standard mental health assessments will be collected. These visits will help researchers analyze the relationship between the biomarker characteristics and the mental health conditions. The study does not involve any treatments but focuses on monitoring and measuring the biomarker and clinical factors over time. During the study, participants will complete standardized mental health questionnaires at each visit, and researchers will collect blood samples to study the biomarker changes. The main outcomes measured include the relationship between depression or psychotic disorders and biomarker characteristics over the six-month period. Researchers will also explore how clinical and demographic factors relate to these biomarker changes. The total participation time spans about six months with three scheduled visits.

Researchers are evaluating whether teaching people personalized versus standardized emotion regulation skills can better reduce daily negative emotions. The study also aims to see if matching participants to their predicted best skill training is feasible and helpful. This research may reveal how emotion regulation treatments impact emotional health and help develop personalized, evidence-based, and scalable interventions. Participants will be randomly assigned to learn one of three emotion regulation skills—cognitive restructuring, opposite to emotion action, or mindfulness—that matches their personal strengths, or to learn all three skills through interactive videos with surveys to practice and check understanding. These training conditions are designed to compare focused versus broad skill coverage. During the study, participants will report their emotions multiple times daily for 42 days, using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Short Form. They will also complete assessments every two weeks for six weeks, measuring depression, anxiety, personality traits, responses to emotions, and breath-counting tasks. Researchers will monitor changes in emotion regulation effectiveness and emotional experiences to understand the impact of the training.

Researchers are evaluating the effects of Resilience Training in college students aged 18 to 30 who have elevated risk factors for serious mental illnesses and experience psychotic symptoms. This study compares Resilience Training to another group program called Life Skills Training to see which better reduces symptoms and improves long-term mental health and academic success. The research also explores how the training impacts emotional responses and brain function related to psychosis. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two four-week programs with weekly 90-minute group sessions. The Resilience Training group learns skills in mindfulness, self-compassion, and understanding thoughts and feelings. The Life Skills Training group receives information on practical topics like financial literacy, health, and safety. Both programs are designed to be active and time-matched to compare their effects. During the study, participants will complete a variety of assessments at baseline, 4 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months. These include questionnaires measuring symptoms, mood, anxiety, suicidality, social functioning, and resilience, as well as brain imaging at selected time points. Researchers will also track academic performance and healthcare use. The study includes ongoing monitoring to evaluate changes in symptoms and overall functioning over two years.

Researchers are evaluating whether a combination of brain stimulation and cognitive training can improve thinking skills and mood in older adults diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). This study focuses on using repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) along with an immersive virtual reality cognitive training program (iVCT) to see if these therapies together help more than brain stimulation alone or no intervention. The research also looks at effects on mental health, daily functioning, quality of life, and caregiver burden. Participants will be assigned to one of three groups: a control group receiving usual care with no intervention, a group receiving rTMS treatments five days a week for two weeks (total 10 sessions), or a group receiving rTMS followed by 30 to 60 minutes of virtual reality cognitive training each day for the same two-week period. All participants will undergo initial assessments before treatment. During the study, participants will complete evaluations at the start, two weeks after treatment, and three months later to measure changes in cognitive abilities, emotional health, daily functioning, and caregiver burden. Tests include the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test and other questionnaires. The study aims to understand both immediate and lasting effects of these therapies over several months, with total participation lasting about three months.

Researchers are evaluating the TEMPO program, a self-directed, web-based psychosocial and physical activity management tool designed for men with prostate cancer and their family caregivers. The study aims to reduce anxiety and improve coping skills by addressing the physical and emotional challenges caused by prostate cancer and its treatment. This research uses a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) design to find the most effective and cost-efficient way to deliver TEMPO, including options for additional guidance when needed. Participants will be randomly assigned to either use the TEMPO program or actively monitor their anxiety for 12 weeks. After this period, those still experiencing anxiety may receive extended TEMPO support or guidance through scheduled phone or online calls from trained non-health care professionals. The study includes two intervention stages, each lasting 12 weeks, with usual care continuing alongside the program. Active monitoring participants who need more support will gain access to TEMPO in the second stage. Throughout the study, participants complete surveys at baseline, 13 weeks, and 25 weeks to assess anxiety and other health outcomes like stress, self-efficacy, exercise habits, and coping. The research team tracks anxiety levels and evaluates the cost-effectiveness of TEMPO compared to active monitoring. The total participation time spans about 25 weeks, with data collected to understand the program's impact on both patients and caregivers.