Cognitive Anxiety Sensitivity Treatment for Suicide (CAST)

Development and Evaluation of a Brief, Suicide Prevention Intervention Reducing Anxiety Sensitivity

The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness and usability of a computer-based treatment for mood and anxiety relevant risk factors. The target of the treatment is related to cognitive stress, which has been shown to be associated with several negative mental health outcomes such as suicidal ideation, substance use disorders, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Anxiety
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Anxiety Risk Reduction

Detailed Description

CAST is a newly developed computerized treatment targeting specific risk factors associated with PTSD, substance use, anxiety, and suicide. Eligible individuals will be randomized to one of two conditions. In both conditions, participants will complete various self-report questionnaires and a computerized presentation. Additionally, all participants will be asked to complete a one month follow-up appointment.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 108
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Florida
    • Tallahassee, Florida, United States, 32304
      • Florida State University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• At or above the community sample mean on the ASI
• English speakers
• 18 years of age or older

Exclusion Criteria:

• Significant medical illness
• Current substance dependence
• Current or past psychotic-spectrum disorders
• Uncontrolled bipolar disorder
• Serious suicidal intent that warranted immediate medical treatment

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Physical Health Training; The Physical Health Training condition will include information on the importance and benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, the program will discuss guidelines for a healthy lifestyle including information on diet, water consumption, exercise, and sleep.
Experimental: Anxiety Risk Reduction; The anxiety risk reduction intervention will include psychoeducation focused on the nature of stress and its effect on the body. Interoceptive exposure exercises that were designed to correct the conditioned fear of bodily sensations will be explained and practiced.	Behavioral: Anxiety Risk Reduction; Involves psychoeducation and interoceptive exposure exercises

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI)	The ASI is a 16-item self-report measure of anxiety sensitivity. Each item consists of a possible negative consequence of anxiety symptoms. The scale assesses three AS subfactors including cognitive, physical, and social concerns. The measure has shown good psychometric properties.	Month one follow-up

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Beck Suicide Scale (BSS)	The BSS is a 21-item widely used self-report measure assessing a broad spectrum of behaviors and attitudes related to suicide risk, including suicidal ideation and past suicide attempts. It has demonstrated strong reliability and validity.	Month one follow-up

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale (PDS)	The PDS is a self-report measure used to assess the severity of posttraumatic stress symptoms during the past month. The measure was designed based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV criteria. Respondents report if they have experienced any of 12 traumatic events, including an "other" category, and then indicate which event was the most disturbing. Additionally, respondents rate the frequency of 17 PTSD symptoms experienced in the past month in relation to the most disturbing event they endorsed. The PDS has excellent psychometric properties and can be used as a continuous measure of PTSD symptom severity.	Month one follow-up

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Florida State University
• Collaborators: United States Department of Defense

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: September 1, 2011
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 1, 2013
• Study Completion (Actual): February 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 12, 2013
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 17, 2013
• First Posted (Estimate): September 20, 2013

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): September 26, 2013
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 25, 2013
• Last Verified: September 1, 2013

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Mental Disorders; Self-Injurious Behavior; Anxiety Disorders; Suicide
• Other Study ID Numbers: 03969

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No