Cortisol in the Treatment of Phobias

This study has been completed.

First Received: March 21, 2007 Last Updated: January 11, 2010 History of Changes

Sponsor:	University of Zurich
Collaborator:	University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
Information provided by:	University of Zurich
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00451750

Purpose

The aim of this prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study is to investigate if glucocorticoid treatment, in combination with exposure therapy, helps to reduce phobic fear in patients with phobia.

Condition	Intervention
Phobia	Drug: Cortisol

Study Type:	Interventional
Study Design:	Treatment, Randomized, Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Placebo Control, Parallel Assignment, Efficacy Study
Official Title:	The Efficacy of Cortisol in Combination With Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Phobias

Resource links provided by NLM:

MedlinePlus related topics: Phobias

Drug Information available for: Hydrocortisone acetate Hydrocortisone Proctofoam-HC Hydrocortisone hemisuccinate Hydrocortamate Hydrocortisone 21-sodium succinate Hydrocortisone cypionate Cortisol succinate Cortisol 21-phosphate

U.S. FDA Resources

Further study details as provided by University of Zurich:

Primary Outcome Measures:

visual analog scales for fear and acrophobia questionnaires [ Time Frame: 1 month ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

Estimated Enrollment:	40
Study Start Date:	May 2007
Study Completion Date:	September 2009
Primary Completion Date:	September 2009 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)

Intervention Details:

20 mg for 3 times

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:	18 Years to 55 Years
Genders Eligible for Study:	Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:	No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

- Female and male patients with a specific phobia (fear of heights) according to DSM-IV criteria.

Exclusion Criteria:

Severe acute or chronic somatic diseases
Psychiatric disorder other than specific phobia
Topic glucocorticoid therapy (for large skin parts)
Inhaled glucocorticoids
Psychotropic medication
Pregnancy

Contacts and Locations

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00451750

Locations

Switzerland
University of Basel
Basel, Switzerland, 4055

Sponsors and Collaborators

University of Zurich

University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Investigators

Principal Investigator:	Dominique JF de Quervain, MD, Prof.	University of Zürich
Principal Investigator:	Frank Wilhelm, Prof.	University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

More Information

Publications:

Soravia LM, Heinrichs M, Aerni A, Maroni C, Schelling G, Ehlert U, Roozendaal B, de Quervain DJ. Glucocorticoids reduce phobic fear in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Apr 4;103(14):5585-90. Epub 2006 Mar 27.

Responsible Party:	University of Zurich ( Dominique de Quervain, Prof. MD )
Study ID Numbers:	2007DR3069
Study First Received:	March 21, 2007
Last Updated:	January 11, 2010
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00451750 History of Changes
Health Authority:	Switzerland: Swissmedic; Switzerland: Ethical committee, Zürich Switzerland

Keywords provided by University of Zurich:

phobia
cortisol
memory
treatment

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Hydrocortisone
Cortisol succinate
Anxiety Disorders
Mental Disorders

Therapeutic Uses
Hydrocortisone acetate
Phobic Disorders
Pharmacologic Actions

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on February 08, 2010