Specific phobia

This early-stage study is testing whether combining standard psychiatric medications (like antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs) with individual cognitive behavioral therapy can improve symptoms and daily functioning in people with anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disord…

This study tests a new behavioral therapy called OPT-A for teenagers who have both substance use problems and mood or anxiety disorders. 140 teens aged 10-17 will receive either OPT-A or standard treatment. Researchers will track substance use and mental health for 18 months to s…

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital are testing whether automated motivational messages or coach support can improve engagement with SilverCloud, a digital mental health intervention for depression and anxiety. The trial enrolls adults with clinically significant symptoms…

This study tests an internet-based self-help program called eConquerFear-HK for Chinese cancer survivors who have mild to moderate fear of their cancer coming back. About 48 people who finished treatment for early-stage breast or colorectal cancer will try the program. The goal i…

This study tests an online cognitive therapy program, guided by a therapist, to help colorectal cancer survivors who have finished treatment reduce their fear of the cancer returning. The program includes educational text, exercises, and videos. Researchers will compare it to sta…

This study tests whether a short, remote treatment can help children and teens aged 8 to 16 who have a clinical fear of injections. The intervention includes education about anxiety and a 3-4 hour session of gradual exposure to injection-related fears. Researchers will also evalu…

This trial is testing a program called TEAMSS, designed to help fifth graders with elevated anxiety transition more smoothly to middle school. The program includes reading materials, a school tour, group sessions, parent meetings, and teacher consultations. The goal is to see if …

This pilot trial tests whether pediatric primary care providers can effectively deliver a brief intervention called the Anxiety Action Plan (AxAP) to help children aged 6-17 with elevated anxiety symptoms. Providers receive training and coaching to administer the intervention, wh…

This study tests a therapy called the Unified Protocol, designed to help people with emotional disorders like anxiety and depression by improving emotional regulation. Researchers compare delivering the therapy in online group sessions versus in-person group sessions to see if bo…

This study tested whether adding dog-assisted therapy to usual care helps teens aged 12-18 with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation. 70 teens in a day hospital were randomly assigned to either get dog therapy plus usual care or usual care al…

This study tests if group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can reduce anxiety and insomnia in teens aged 12-20. About 171 participants with both conditions will receive either CBT for anxiety or CBT for insomnia. The goal is to see which approach better improves symptoms, sleep…

This study looked at whether virtual reality exposure therapy can reduce anxiety in people with a fear of flying. 84 participants who were diagnosed with flight phobia and had a smartphone took part. The researchers measured changes in flight-related anxiety using questionnaires …

This study tested a device called Reacor that uses biofeedback to teach mindfulness by showing your heart rate and brain waves in real time. 188 adults with anxiety disorders were split into three groups: biofeedback alone, the medication escitalopram alone, or both together. The…

This study tested whether using a virtual reality clinic (Doxy.me VR) is as good as standard online therapy for treating intense fear of dogs, snakes, or spiders. Fifty-four adults participated, and researchers measured how much their phobia symptoms improved. The goal was to see…

This study tested an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program called AMTE for adolescents with anxiety and depression. Sixty teens were randomly assigned to either the online program or a control group. The goal was to see if the program could reduce symptoms of …

This study tested whether adding self-esteem boosts during virtual reality (VR) exposure helps people with fear of heights more than VR alone. 83 adults with fear of heights went through a VR height challenge, with some receiving positive feedback and reminders of past successes …

This study tested a 30-minute web-based program for parents of children with anxiety who are waiting for cognitive behavioral therapy. The program aims to reduce how much parents accommodate their child's anxiety, which can make anxiety worse. Researchers recruited 47 parents and…

This study tested a brief virtual therapy called MAPP (Mindful Adaptive Practice in Pregnancy) to help pregnant women manage COVID-19-related anxiety. 69 women participated, comparing MAPP to usual care. The goal was to see if the therapy is feasible and acceptable, not yet to pr…

This study tested whether taking part in art activities like theatre, dance, visual arts, music, or cinema can improve mental health. 541 adults with psychiatric diagnoses were randomly assigned to either an art program or a waitlist. Researchers measured changes in depression an…

This study tested two types of online therapy for anxiety and depression in 2477 adults. Participants received either a cognitive behavioral treatment or a psychodynamic treatment, delivered over 8 or 16 weeks, with or without a support forum. The goal was to see which combinatio…

This completed study tested a free mobile app called Ísland that uses artificial intelligence and virtual reality to help teens aged 13–19 manage anxiety. The app combines four proven therapies, offers private journaling, video group sessions, and VR exercises to face fears safel…

This study tested an 8-week mindfulness-based psychoeducation program in 50 adults diagnosed with anxiety disorders. Half took the program, half did not. Researchers measured changes in perceived stress, intolerance of uncertainty, and cognitive flexibility. The goal was to see i…

This study tested whether adding occasional aversive imagery (imagining your worst fear about spiders) during exposure therapy helps reduce spider phobia more than standard exposure alone. 67 spider-fearful adults completed a one-session training with seven steps, from looking at…

This study looked at whether Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a therapy that involves tapping on specific body points, can reduce death anxiety in people who have had cancer surgery. 120 adults who had oncological surgery and had no prior psychiatric issues took part. The goal …

This study tested an online program called ALDER that teaches older adults skills to boost positive emotions and reduce anxiety. 33 people aged 65 and older who used benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety or sleep medications) at least twice a week took part. Over 5 weeks, they learned an…

This study tested a new, short, and intensive therapy called HANDS-ON for 12 teens (ages 10-18) with anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who hadn't improved with standard therapy. The treatment involved personalized exposure exercises done at home and school, with help…

This study tested whether virtual reality (VR) sessions can help reduce anxiety and depression in people aged 12 to 25 who do not want to take medication. Forty participants completed five weekly VR sessions focused on relaxation, coping skills, and healthy habits. Researchers me…

This study tested a single-session program for children ages 7 to 17 with anxiety and their parents. The program teaches kids how to manage anxious thoughts and feelings, and shows parents how to support them. Researchers wanted to see if this quick help could reduce anxiety symp…

This study tested whether watching a video of someone else getting spider exposure therapy could help people with arachnophobia. 78 participants first watched a short educational video, then observed a 45-minute filmed exposure session. After that, they took part in a live group …

This study tested whether taking part in art activities (like painting, music, or dance) can improve mental well-being. 382 people with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or emotional disorders were randomly assigned to either an art program or a waitlist. The stud…

This study adapted a 6-session behavioral therapy called FORT for Turkish breast and ovarian cancer survivors to help them manage fear of cancer recurrence. Researchers worked with 100 participants to translate and test the therapy, measuring changes in fear, anxiety, and quality…

This study tested whether adding cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to a gradual benzodiazepine taper helps patients with anxiety who also take prescription opioids reduce their benzodiazepine use. 42 primary care patients were randomly assigned to receive either CBT or a health …

This study tested a group version of a therapy program called the Unified Protocol for teens with emotional disorders like anxiety and depression. Thirty-one adolescents took part in 16 weekly group sessions at a public mental health center in Spain, along with three parent sessi…

This study looked at nearly 2,000 people from the community to understand how depression, anxiety, and migraine are passed down through families. Researchers interviewed family members of all ages, including children as young as 8, to track patterns of these conditions over time.…

This study investigates what makes cognitive-behavioral therapy effective for children and teens aged 7 to 16 with anxiety or depression. Researchers will analyze therapy sessions and outcomes to identify which techniques and processes lead to improvement. The goal is to understa…

This study looked at whether watching short science videos can change how adults with anxiety think about psychological therapy. 262 participants watched 30 minutes of educational videos and filled out surveys about their beliefs and expectations. The goal was to understand if sc…

This study tested a program called IPS-MA, which helps people with mood or anxiety disorders find and keep jobs or return to school. 326 adults who were unable to work within three months took part. The goal was to see if this support, added to their usual treatment, helped them …

This study tested whether a single session of facing a live spider can reduce fear and disgust, and if that benefit lasts up to three months. Fifty-nine people with spider fear participated. They were tested with the same spider and a new spider at different follow-up times to se…

This study followed 559 children and teens ages 6 to 19 in the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program to see if their anxiety and depression improved with treatment. Researchers compared patients who received treatment to those on a waitlist and checked if gains lasted three months after…

This study looked at whether using very low nicotine cigarettes along with nicotine-containing e-cigarettes can reduce harmful chemical exposure in smokers with mental health conditions. 88 participants were assigned to different combinations of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. The m…