Endogenous in-session cortisol during exposure therapy predicts symptom improvement: Preliminary results from a scopolamine-augmentation trial.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to explore whether individual differences in glucocorticoid concentrations were associated with symptom improvement following exposure therapy for patients with social anxiety disorder. To do this, 60 participants with social anxiety disorder completed a randomized-controlled trial of exposure therapy, where participants were randomized to receive scopolamine-augmentation or placebo during their 7 exposure sessions. Scopolamine is an antimuscarinic which blocks the effects of acetylcholine and reduces autonomic arousal. During sessions 1, 4, 7, and during the post-treatment extinction assessment, participants provided up to 16 saliva samples (4 in each session). Pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 1-month follow-up, participants completed the Liebowitz Socia

SUBMITTER: Kuhlman KR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7293922 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature