NCT06514495 Differential Effects of in Vivo and Virtual Exposure Therapy in Agoraphobia
| NCT ID | NCT06514495 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz |
| Condition | Agoraphobia; Panic |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 68 participants |
| Start Date | 2025-05-01 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-08-01 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 68 participants in total. It began in 2025-05-01 with a primary completion date of 2026-08-01.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
Anxiety disorders, including agoraphobia, are prevalent in the German population, leading affected individuals to avoid specific places like crowds or public transport. Although cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure is an effective treatment, many patients resort to medication rather than therapy. Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) shows promise in easing exposure treatment with customizable scenarios. Interoception (body symptom perception) and the endocannabinoid system are explored as factors in maintaining agoraphobia. Studies investigate how therapies like exposure (both in vivo and in VR) impact these factors and treatment outcomes. Interoception, especially in panic disorder patients, plays a crucial role, with accurate heartbeat perception linked to maintaining anxiety. The endocannabinoid system, affecting various functions, is studied for its role in therapy outcomes and its modulation of the body's stress response. The study aims to understand how these systems interact in agoraphobic patients and how therapy affects their functionality.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Experimental group: Diagnosis of agoraphobia with or without panic disorder * Clinical control group: diagnosis of social phobia * Control group: healthy individuals without acute or chronic mental illness * A depressive disorder may be present as a comorbid diagnosis in the experimental group and the clinical control group Exclusion Criteria: * Other mental illnesses: Substance dependence, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, dementia, eating disorders, PTSD, major depressive episode, personality disorder * Somatic diseases: Cancer, cardiovascular diseases, epilepsy, autoimmune diseases, metabolic or endocrine diseases * Taking psychotropic medication (except antidepressants) or medication that affects the cardiovascular system (e.g. beta-blockers), medication containing cortisone, use of creams with corticosteroids * Pregnancy, breastfeeding * Ongoing psychotherapy
Contact & Investigator
Katja Petrowski, Prof,
STUDY CHAIR
University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT06514495 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 75 Years, studying Agoraphobia; Panic. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT06514495 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT06514495 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at vanrenne@uni-mainz.de for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT06514495 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Mainz, Germany.
Who is sponsoring the NCT06514495 clinical trial?
NCT06514495 is sponsored by Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. The principal investigator is Katja Petrowski, Prof, at University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. The trial plans to enroll 68 participants.