Trial Outcomes & Findings for Augmenting Exposure Therapy for Social Anxiety With Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (NCT NCT03743571)

NCT ID: NCT03743571

Last Updated: 2024-10-22

Results Overview

During Behavioral Approach Tests (BATs), participants will provide a speech to (a) an audience primarily matched to their ethnicity, and (b) an audience primarily un-matched to their ethnicity. The speech will be for up to 5 minutes in duration. During each BAT, we will assess fear response behaviorally (length of the speech, up to 5 min in duration) and subjectively (self reported levels of anticipated and peak fear). \*\*\*This outcome report is for the duration of the matched BAT. The total possible range of the speech is from 0 to 300 seconds. Longer speech durations indicate greater approach, which is a better outcome.\*\*\*

Recruitment status

TERMINATED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

33 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

follow-up, one month after baseline assessment

Results posted on

2024-10-22

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Anodal tDCS During Exposure
anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (2mA) will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Sham tDCS During Exposure
sham transcranial direct current stimulation will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ during exposure therapy at a level that provides the physical sensations of tDCS but which is non-therapeutic transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Overall Study
STARTED
17
16
Overall Study
COMPLETED
15
13
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
2
3

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Anodal tDCS During Exposure
anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (2mA) will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Sham tDCS During Exposure
sham transcranial direct current stimulation will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ during exposure therapy at a level that provides the physical sensations of tDCS but which is non-therapeutic transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
1
1
Overall Study
Lost to Follow-up
1
2

Baseline Characteristics

Anticipated anxiety ratings at baseline (BAT matched and unmatched) were missing for one participant in the anodal tDCS condition (n= 15 total, instead of n = 16 for this measure only), due to an experimenter error.

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Anodal tDCS During Exposure
n=16 Participants
anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (2mA) will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Sham tDCS During Exposure
n=15 Participants
sham transcranial direct current stimulation will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ during exposure therapy at a level that provides the physical sensations of tDCS but which is non-therapeutic transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Total
n=31 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=16 Participants
0 Participants
n=15 Participants
0 Participants
n=31 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
16 Participants
n=16 Participants
15 Participants
n=15 Participants
31 Participants
n=31 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
n=16 Participants
0 Participants
n=15 Participants
0 Participants
n=31 Participants
Age, Continuous
19.75 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.45 • n=16 Participants
20 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.51 • n=15 Participants
19.87 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.46 • n=31 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
14 Participants
n=16 Participants
11 Participants
n=15 Participants
25 Participants
n=31 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
2 Participants
n=16 Participants
4 Participants
n=15 Participants
6 Participants
n=31 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
10 Participants
n=16 Participants
10 Participants
n=15 Participants
20 Participants
n=31 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
6 Participants
n=16 Participants
5 Participants
n=15 Participants
11 Participants
n=31 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=16 Participants
0 Participants
n=15 Participants
0 Participants
n=31 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=16 Participants
0 Participants
n=15 Participants
0 Participants
n=31 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=16 Participants
0 Participants
n=15 Participants
0 Participants
n=31 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=16 Participants
0 Participants
n=15 Participants
0 Participants
n=31 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants
n=16 Participants
0 Participants
n=15 Participants
0 Participants
n=31 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
13 Participants
n=16 Participants
13 Participants
n=15 Participants
26 Participants
n=31 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
3 Participants
n=16 Participants
2 Participants
n=15 Participants
5 Participants
n=31 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=16 Participants
0 Participants
n=15 Participants
0 Participants
n=31 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
16 Participants
n=16 Participants
15 Participants
n=15 Participants
31 Participants
n=31 Participants
BAT: Matched Audience, Speech Duration
112 seconds
STANDARD_DEVIATION 49 • n=16 Participants
159 seconds
STANDARD_DEVIATION 94 • n=15 Participants
135 seconds
STANDARD_DEVIATION 76 • n=31 Participants
BAT: Matched Audience, Anticipated Anxiety
70 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16 • n=15 Participants • Anticipated anxiety ratings at baseline (BAT matched and unmatched) were missing for one participant in the anodal tDCS condition (n= 15 total, instead of n = 16 for this measure only), due to an experimenter error.
64 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 29 • n=15 Participants • Anticipated anxiety ratings at baseline (BAT matched and unmatched) were missing for one participant in the anodal tDCS condition (n= 15 total, instead of n = 16 for this measure only), due to an experimenter error.
67 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 23 • n=30 Participants • Anticipated anxiety ratings at baseline (BAT matched and unmatched) were missing for one participant in the anodal tDCS condition (n= 15 total, instead of n = 16 for this measure only), due to an experimenter error.
BAT: Matched Audience, Peak Anxiety
59 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 31 • n=16 Participants
65 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 24 • n=15 Participants
62 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 27 • n=31 Participants
BAT: Unmatched Audience, Speech Duration
121 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 75 • n=16 Participants
155 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 103 • n=15 Participants
137 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 90 • n=31 Participants
BAT: Unmatched Audience, Anticipated Anxiety
66 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 22 • n=15 Participants • Anticipated anxiety ratings at baseline (BAT matched and unmatched) were missing for one participant in the anodal tDCS condition (n= 15 total, instead of n = 16 for this measure only), due to an experimenter error.
69 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 22 • n=15 Participants • Anticipated anxiety ratings at baseline (BAT matched and unmatched) were missing for one participant in the anodal tDCS condition (n= 15 total, instead of n = 16 for this measure only), due to an experimenter error.
68 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 22 • n=30 Participants • Anticipated anxiety ratings at baseline (BAT matched and unmatched) were missing for one participant in the anodal tDCS condition (n= 15 total, instead of n = 16 for this measure only), due to an experimenter error.
BAT: Unmatched Audience, Peak Anxiety
69 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 27 • n=16 Participants
72 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 21 • n=15 Participants
71 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 24 • n=31 Participants
Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety
149 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9 • n=16 Participants
145 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11 • n=15 Participants
147 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10 • n=31 Participants
Positive Self Statements
10 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3 • n=16 Participants
10 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4 • n=15 Participants
10 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4 • n=31 Participants
Negative Self Statements
14 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3 • n=16 Participants
13 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4 • n=15 Participants
14 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4 • n=31 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: follow-up, one month after baseline assessment

Population: Completer-only analysis (no imputation).

During Behavioral Approach Tests (BATs), participants will provide a speech to (a) an audience primarily matched to their ethnicity, and (b) an audience primarily un-matched to their ethnicity. The speech will be for up to 5 minutes in duration. During each BAT, we will assess fear response behaviorally (length of the speech, up to 5 min in duration) and subjectively (self reported levels of anticipated and peak fear). \*\*\*This outcome report is for the duration of the matched BAT. The total possible range of the speech is from 0 to 300 seconds. Longer speech durations indicate greater approach, which is a better outcome.\*\*\*

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Anodal tDCS During Exposure
n=14 Participants
anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (2mA) will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Sham tDCS During Exposure
n=12 Participants
sham transcranial direct current stimulation will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ during exposure therapy at a level that provides the physical sensations of tDCS but which is non-therapeutic transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
BAT: Matched Audience, Speech Duration
129 seconds
Standard Deviation 52
141 seconds
Standard Deviation 65

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: follow-up, one month after baseline assessment

Population: Completer only (no imputation).

During Behavioral Approach Tests (BATs), participants will provide a speech to (a) an audience primarily matched to their ethnicity, and (b) an audience primarily un-matched to their ethnicity. The speech will be for up to 5 minutes in duration. During each BAT, we will assess fear response behaviorally (length of the speech, up to 5 min in duration) and subjectively (self reported levels of anticipated and peak anxiety). \*\*\*This outcome report is for anticipated anxiety during the matched BAT. The total possible range of the subjective rating is from 0 to 100. Higher ratings indicate greater anxiety, which is a worse outcome.\*\*\*

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Anodal tDCS During Exposure
n=14 Participants
anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (2mA) will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Sham tDCS During Exposure
n=12 Participants
sham transcranial direct current stimulation will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ during exposure therapy at a level that provides the physical sensations of tDCS but which is non-therapeutic transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
BAT: Matched Audience, Anticipated Anxiety
39 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 19
38 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 25

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: follow-up, one month after baseline assessment

Population: completers only (no imputation).

During Behavioral Approach Tests (BATs), participants will provide a speech to (a) an audience primarily matched to their ethnicity, and (b) an audience primarily un-matched to their ethnicity. The speech will be for up to 5 minutes in duration. During each BAT, we will assess fear response behaviorally (length of the speech, up to 5 min in duration) and subjectively (self reported levels of anticipated and peak anxiety). \*\*\*This outcome report is for peak anxiety during the matched BAT. The total possible range of the subjective rating is from 0 to 100. Higher ratings indicate greater anxiety, which is a worse outcome.\*\*\*

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Anodal tDCS During Exposure
n=14 Participants
anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (2mA) will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Sham tDCS During Exposure
n=12 Participants
sham transcranial direct current stimulation will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ during exposure therapy at a level that provides the physical sensations of tDCS but which is non-therapeutic transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
BAT: Matched Audience, Peak Anxiety
36 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 21
26 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 27

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: follow-up, one month after baseline assessment

Population: completers only (no imputation).

During Behavioral Approach Tests (BATs), participants will provide a speech to (a) an audience primarily matched to their ethnicity, and (b) an audience primarily un-matched to their ethnicity. The speech will be for up to 5 minutes in duration. During each BAT, we will assess fear response behaviorally (length of the speech, up to 5 min in duration) and subjectively (self reported levels of anticipated and peak fear). \*\*\*This outcome report is for the duration of the unmatched BAT. The total possible range of the speech is from 0 to 300 seconds. Longer speech durations indicate greater approach, which is a better outcome.\*\*\*

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Anodal tDCS During Exposure
n=14 Participants
anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (2mA) will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Sham tDCS During Exposure
n=12 Participants
sham transcranial direct current stimulation will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ during exposure therapy at a level that provides the physical sensations of tDCS but which is non-therapeutic transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
BAT: Unmatched Audience, Speech Duration
145 seconds
Standard Deviation 60
168 seconds
Standard Deviation 72

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: follow-up, one month after baseline assessment

Population: completers only (no imputation).

During Behavioral Approach Tests (BATs), participants will provide a speech to (a) an audience primarily matched to their ethnicity, and (b) an audience primarily un-matched to their ethnicity. The speech will be for up to 5 minutes in duration. During each BAT, we will assess fear response behaviorally (length of the speech, up to 5 min in duration) and subjectively (self reported levels of anticipated and peak anxiety). \*\*\*This outcome report is for anticipated anxiety during the unmatched BAT. The total possible range of the subjective rating is from 0 to 100. Higher ratings indicate greater anxiety, which is a worse outcome.\*\*\*

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Anodal tDCS During Exposure
n=14 Participants
anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (2mA) will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Sham tDCS During Exposure
n=12 Participants
sham transcranial direct current stimulation will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ during exposure therapy at a level that provides the physical sensations of tDCS but which is non-therapeutic transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
BAT: Unmatched Audience, Anticipated Anxiety
43 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 21
40 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 25

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: follow-up, one month after baseline assessment

Population: completers only (no imputation).

During Behavioral Approach Tests (BATs), participants will provide a speech to (a) an audience primarily matched to their ethnicity, and (b) an audience primarily un-matched to their ethnicity. The speech will be for up to 5 minutes in duration. During each BAT, we will assess fear response behaviorally (length of the speech, up to 5 min in duration) and subjectively (self reported levels of anticipated and peak anxiety). \*\*\*This outcome report is for peak anxiety during the unmatched BAT. The total possible range of the subjective rating is from 0 to 100. Higher ratings indicate greater anxiety, which is a worse outcome.\*\*\*

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Anodal tDCS During Exposure
n=14 Participants
anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (2mA) will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Sham tDCS During Exposure
n=12 Participants
sham transcranial direct current stimulation will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ during exposure therapy at a level that provides the physical sensations of tDCS but which is non-therapeutic transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
BAT: Unmatched Audience, Peak Anxiety
35 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 21
28 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 24

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: follow-up, one month after baseline assessment

Population: completer only (no imputation). Note: Three additional participants were excluded from the primary outcome data, but not secondary outcome data. Social distancing guidelines prevented them from attending a lab visit to complete the primary outcome measure (the BATs), but they were able to complete the secondary outcome measures remotely (questionnaires).

Participants will complete the Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety (PRPSA), a 34-item questionnaire that assesses public speaking anxiety. The items are sum scored, and totals range from 34 to 170, with higher scores indicating higher levels of public speaking anxiety.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Anodal tDCS During Exposure
n=15 Participants
anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (2mA) will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Sham tDCS During Exposure
n=13 Participants
sham transcranial direct current stimulation will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ during exposure therapy at a level that provides the physical sensations of tDCS but which is non-therapeutic transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety
133.47 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 16.69
131.15 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 17.87

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: follow-up, one month after baseline assessment

Population: completers only (no imputation). Note: Three additional participants were excluded from the primary outcome data, but not secondary outcome data. Social distancing guidelines prevented them from attending a lab visit to complete the primary outcome measure (the BATs), but they were able to complete the secondary outcome measures remotely (questionnaires).

Participants will complete the Positive Self Statements subscale of the Self Statements During Public Speaking Scale (SSPS). The SSPS is 10-item questionnaire that asses both positive and negative self statements associated with public speaking. The items within each of the two subscales are summed, with total scores ranging from 0 to 25 for each subscale, and higher scores indicating higher levels of agreement with positive or negative self statements, respectively. Higher scores on the positive self statements indicate less anxiety.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Anodal tDCS During Exposure
n=15 Participants
anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (2mA) will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Sham tDCS During Exposure
n=13 Participants
sham transcranial direct current stimulation will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ during exposure therapy at a level that provides the physical sensations of tDCS but which is non-therapeutic transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Positive Self Statements
11.13 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.14
10.69 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.57

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: follow-up, one month after baseline assessment

Population: completers only (no imputation). Note: Three additional participants were excluded from the primary outcome data, but not secondary outcome data. Social distancing guidelines prevented them from attending a lab visit to complete the primary outcome measure (the BATs), but they were able to complete the secondary outcome measures remotely (questionnaires).

Participants will complete the Negative Self Statements subscale of the Self Statements During Public Speaking Scale (SSPS). The SSPS is 10-item questionnaire that asses both positive and negative self statements associated with public speaking. The items within each of the two subscales are summed, with total scores ranging from 0 to 25 for each subscale, and higher scores indicating higher levels of agreement with positive or negative self statements, respectively. Higher scores on the negative self statements indicate more anxiety.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Anodal tDCS During Exposure
n=15 Participants
anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (2mA) will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Sham tDCS During Exposure
n=13 Participants
sham transcranial direct current stimulation will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ during exposure therapy at a level that provides the physical sensations of tDCS but which is non-therapeutic transcranial direct current stimulation: tDCS will be applied over EEG coordinate FpZ to target mPFC activation during exposure therapy exposure therapy: participants will complete one session of exposure therapy for fear of public speaking, which will involve providing speeches to audiences in virtual reality
Negative Self Statements
12.33 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.95
11.77 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 6.83

Adverse Events

Anodal tDCS During Exposure

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Sham tDCS During Exposure

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Cynthia Lancaster

University of Nevada Reno

Phone: (775) 682-8144

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place