Clinical TrialAnxiety DisordersKetaminePlaceboNot yet recruiting

Pilot study of ketamine in phobic participants using virtual reality stimuli

This randomised controlled parallel group Phase II trial (n=12) evaluated the safety and efficacy of ketamine for spider phobia using 35mg/70kg ketamine.

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Target Enrollment
12 participants
Study Type
Phase II interventional
Design
Randomized, quadruple Blind

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Compound research: KetamineTopic research: Anxiety Disorders

Detailed Description

We hypothesise that Ketamine could be used therapeutically to manage phobic situations that interfere with health or business activities (e.g. needle phobic patients getting medical/dental procedures; aeroplane/flight phobic patients needing to travel by air).
The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of oral doses of ketamine and the active control, midazolam, on anxiety ratings in participants with spider phobia.
Images of spiders will be presented to participants via a virtual reality (VR) headset. 5 spider encounters will be presented that vary in terms of size, activity level and proximity of the VR spider to the participant.
Changes in anxiety and phobia ratings, heart rate and skin response will be obtained pre-dose and immediately after each VR spider exposure.

Study Arms & Interventions

Ketamine

experimental

Interventions

  • Ketamine
  • Placebo

Participants

Inclusion Criteria

  • 1. Capable of understanding and signing an informed consent
  • 2. Aged 18 years or over on the day of consent
  • 3.Must meet criteria for DSM 5 specific phobia and have a Fear of Spiders Questionnaire score > 95 to participate.

Exclusion Criteria

  • 1. Female participants who are or intend to become pregnant, or who are lactating
  • 2. Participants who, in the opinion of the investigator, do not understand the information and procedures of the study, or would not be compliant with them.
  • 3. Any participant, for whom the investigator believes, for any reason, that participation would not be an acceptable risk
  • 4..Current MDE, past or current bipolar disorder, schizophrenia. Participants with current anxiety disorders may be eligible. Use of antidepressants or other anxiolytics at stable doses >4 weeks is acceptable.
  • 5.Participants with severe acute or chronic medical illnesses.
  • 6. Participants with current active suicidal ideation.

Study Protocol, Arms & Participants

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Study Details

  • Status
    Not yet recruiting
  • Phase
    Phase II
  • Type
    interventional
  • Design
    Randomizedquadruple Blind
  • Target Enrollment12 participants
  • Timeline
    Start: 2019-11-11
    End: 2020-02-28
  • Compounds
    KetaminePlacebo
  • Topic
    Anxiety Disorders

Locations

Unknown facility — Australia

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