Phobia

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 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 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 a stepped-care approach to manage dental fear compared to the usual care provided by participants' dentists. The study aims to see if this intervention can reduce dental fear and improve oral health-related quality of life. The research involves a randomized design where some participants receive the intervention and others continue with their usual dental care. The study is sponsored by New York University and includes participants aged 13 to 99 years who have moderate to severe dental fear. The intervention has two steps. Step one is a self-administered cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) based mobile app called Dental FearLess, which takes about one hour to complete and offers education and coping strategies for dental anxiety. Step two is a one-hour telehealth session with a mental health provider tailored to individual dental fear for those who still report significant fear after the app. Participants may be randomly assigned to either this intervention or treatment as usual, with 25% receiving no intervention during the study period. Participants will be involved for up to 15 to 21 months following enrollment, during which self-reported dental fear and oral health-related quality of life will be assessed after treatment and at follow-up. Attendance records from dental practices will also be collected in a de-identified manner. Those assigned to the control group will provide feedback on their dental experiences and will have the option to receive the intervention free of charge after the study ends.

Diabetes Mellitus, especially type 2, is a widespread condition often leading to Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN), which affects sensation and muscle control in the feet, legs, hands, and arms. This condition can cause symptoms like pain, numbness, and balance problems, increasing the risk of falls. This research aims to assess whether adding Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) exercises to the Otago Exercise Program can improve balance, reduce fear of falling, and enhance sensory function in people with DPN. The study compares two groups: one follows the Otago Exercise Program alone, which includes 14 strengthening and balance exercises targeting leg muscles and walking skills; the other group combines Otago exercises with PNF, a method involving diagonal and spiral movement patterns designed to improve neuromuscular control through progressive resistance. Both interventions are delivered in sessions lasting 40 to 50 minutes, three times a week, over six weeks. Participants will be evaluated using measures such as the Berg Balance Scale, Fall Efficacy Scale, Functional Reach Test, and Semmes Weinstein Monofilament Test at the start and end of the six-week program. Screening includes the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument and Berg Balance Scale to confirm eligibility. The study will document changes in balance, fear of falling, and sensory function to understand the effects of the exercise protocols on fall risk in this population.

Researchers are evaluating the effects and safety of different doses of intranasal midazolam to treat acute anxiety in adult palliative care patients. This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled exploratory pilot study aims to provide pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data to better understand how midazolam works in this setting. The study enrolls hospitalized patients who are prescribed intranasal midazolam as needed and meet specific inclusion criteria. The study includes three groups: a placebo group receiving no active midazolam, a group receiving 0.9 mg total dose, and a group receiving 1.8 mg total dose of midazolam through a nasal spray. Each participant receives one spray in each nostril. A nested analysis will examine pharmacokinetic parameters in patients with venous access by collecting blood samples at multiple time points up to 240 minutes after administration. Participants will be assessed before treatment and 30 minutes after for anxiety levels, sedation, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and cortisol in oral fluid. Additional measures such as time to first additional dose, cumulative doses over 24 hours, and adverse events will be tracked up to 24 hours post-treatment. Patients in the pharmacokinetic subgroup will have blood samples collected for detailed drug concentration analysis. The study plans to enroll 36 patients, with 12 in each group, and will monitor safety and response throughout the study period.

This research aims to compare two behavior guidance methods to reduce anxiety in children during local anesthesia injections in dental care. It focuses on children aged 5 to 7 years who need local anesthesia for routine dental treatment. The study evaluates the traditional Tell-Show-Do technique against an artificial intelligence-driven avatar video called the "Mini Dentist" to see which better helps reduce fear and improve cooperation. Children will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will watch the AI avatar video that explains and demonstrates the injection in a child-friendly way before the procedure. The other group will receive the conventional Tell-Show-Do method, where the dentist verbally explains and shows the procedure before performing it. All injections follow the same standardized protocol and are done by the same pediatric dentist. Participants will have their anxiety measured by monitoring heart rate at five specific times during the injection visit. Pain and behavior will also be assessed using the FLACC behavioral scale and the Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale. Video recordings of behavior during the injection will be reviewed by trained evaluators. The study is voluntary and approved by an ethics committee, aiming to see if the AI-based method improves anxiety control and cooperation during dental injections.

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of an artificial intelligence (AI)-guided cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for adults with mild depression and anxiety disorders. These mental health conditions are widespread and burdensome, yet access to psychotherapy is limited. This controlled clinical trial aims to compare AI-guided CBT with standard psychiatric care to explore how AI might improve access to and delivery of mental health treatment. Participants will be assigned to one of two groups: an experimental group receiving AI-guided CBT through a digital platform, and a control group receiving standard psychiatric care. The AI-guided CBT involves structured weekly sessions lasting 45 to 60 minutes over 10 weeks, conducted under clinical supervision. The control group will receive routine clinical monitoring and treatment as determined by their clinician without access to the AI intervention. During the study, participants will undergo assessments at the start, mid-treatment (week 5), and after treatment completion (week 10). Researchers will measure changes in depression and anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, social support, digital therapeutic alliance, and overall clinical improvement. Data collection involves standardized scales and clinical impression assessments. Participants will provide informed consent, and data will be handled following ethical and privacy standards.

This research explores how thoughts, feelings, surroundings, and individual biology contribute to anxiety and depression. It aims to understand why people experience these conditions differently, how they respond to treatment, and what factors influence treatment success or challenges. The study focuses on a wide range of biological, psychological, and social factors, including inflammation, hormone levels, behavior, personality, medical history, social support, and attitudes toward mental health. The study involves psychological and psychiatric treatments such as psychotherapy and medication management. Participants will set personal treatment goals and provide video updates between sessions about medication use, emotions, and sleep. The study follows three phases: initial diagnostic assessment and treatment engagement, active treatment with weekly sessions and biological sample collection until remission, and a remission-maintenance phase with less frequent sessions and ongoing monitoring. Participants will attend regular clinical sessions where symptoms, spoken language, and video recordings are collected. Biological samples will be taken during acute episodes and weekly until remission, then periodically during maintenance. The study tracks treatment engagement, response, and remission over weeks to months. Data and samples are securely stored and may be shared with authorized researchers while protecting participant privacy. The total participation period varies depending on individual treatment progress.

Researchers are studying anxiety disorders, including specific phobia, panic disorder, agoraphobia, and social anxiety disorder. The goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of a new smartphone-guided, sensor-based in vivo exposure therapy combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This study compares traditional CBT with in vivo exposure to a version supported by the SYMPTOMS-JIT app, aiming to improve treatment and identify barriers to technology use in therapy. Participants will receive CBT involving psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, emotion regulation, and coping strategies over 10 to 20 sessions. The core treatment includes repeated exposure to feared situations until distress decreases. One group receives standard in vivo exposure, while the other group uses the SYMPTOMS-JIT app to support their exposure therapy. The study includes randomized assignment to these two treatment groups. Participants will be assessed at baseline, after approximately 12 weeks of treatment, and at follow-ups after 3, 6, and 12 months. Assessments include interviews, fear and avoidance scales, and various anxiety and depression questionnaires. Researchers will monitor treatment effects, patient and therapist satisfaction, and therapy efficiency. The total participation involves initial treatment and long-term follow-up to evaluate lasting benefits and app usability.