Here, we aim to test whether disrupting reconsolidation by a noradrenergic *-blocker provides long-term relief of panic symptoms in burned-out employees.
ID
Source
Brief title
Condition
- Anxiety disorders and symptoms
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
Our primary output will be the decrease in frequency and severity of panic
symptoms, from screening to post-treatment and follow-up.
Secondary outcome
Our secondary output will be the decrease in the levels of burnout, from
screening to post-treatment and follow-up.
Background summary
Panic attacks are common in burnout * either contributing to its onset or
hindering reintegration into the workplace. Even though some effective
strategies for the treatment of panic attacks exist, a substantial proportion
of patients experience a relapse even after initial treatment success. However,
recent years have witnessed rapidly emerging evidence for the plasticity of
fear memories. Upon its retrieval memory may be rendered labile and vulnerable
to the disruptive effects of amnestic agents: this process is referred to as
*disrupting reconsolidation* and may point to a novel therapeutic strategy for
the permanent reduction of fear in employees suffering from work-related panic
and anxiety.
Study objective
Here, we aim to test whether disrupting reconsolidation by a noradrenergic *-
blocker provides long-term relief of panic symptoms in burned-out employees.
Study design
An open-label pilot study.
Intervention
A single reactivation of panic symptoms at work through hyperventilation
provocation, followed by the oral administration of 40 mg of the noradrenergic
*-blocker propranolol.
Study burden and risks
Patients are receiving a short treatment that is expected to diminish their
panic symptoms. Hyperventilation provocation causes symptoms of arousal and
fear, but these are of short duration and harmless. Exposing individuals to
fear-inducing hyperventilation is common in treatment for panic disorder. Based
on the Summary of Product Characteristics we expect that propranolol HCl will
be well tolerated and do not anticipate any serious adverse events.
Utrechtseweg 48
Zeist 3704 HE
NL
Utrechtseweg 48
Zeist 3704 HE
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
1. aged between 18 and 65 years;
2. a score of > 8 on the Panic Disorder Severity Scale;
3. a score of > 2.79 on both the core symptoms and secondary symptoms of the
work-related version of the Burnout Assessment Tool;
4. a score of at least 4 on the panic and anxiety item of the BAT.
Exclusion criteria
1. other relevant treatment for panic symptoms or burnout within 3 months
before start of the study;
2. life-time psychosis;
3. depression;
4. current state of asthma or COPD, which necessitates medication use;
5. cardiovascular diseases or irregular heartbeat;
6. hypotension or hypertension;
7. pregnancy or breastfeeding;
8. epilepsy;
9. any medication contra-indicative of the use of propranolol.
Design
Recruitment
Medical products/devices used
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
No registrations found.
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| EudraCT | EUCTR2020-005885-33-NL |
| CCMO | NL76167.018.20 |