NCT07391020

Text Message Safety Behavior Fading for Pathological Worry

Safety Behavior Fading Intervention for Pathological Worry

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 300 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Florida State University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The current study aims to explore the efficacy of a text message-based Safety Behavior Fading Intervention compared to a PMR control condition.

Detailed description

Safety behavior fading intervention procedures will follow methodology previously used in the Cougle Lab. The safety behavior fading intervention is designed to target a decrease or elimination of worry-related safety behaviors. Individuals randomly assigned to the safety behavior fading condition will receive instructions to decrease or eliminate their endorsed worry behaviors. In addition, they will receive daily reminders via text message to decrease these behaviors, along with a worry behavior monitoring checklist in which the participant indicates the extent to which they decreased and/or eliminated each safety behavior over the previous day. Participants will also be able to track their progress using daily progress charts that show how their daily total safety behavior use changes throughout treatment. Text messaging will be managed by EZTexting - a service that manages mass texting protocols. The daily reminder will include the following language: "Hi! This is a friendly reminder to avoid using your checklist behaviors. Please tap the link below to access today's checklist: \[link to checklist\]." Individuals randomly assigned to the PMR condition will receive a total of 4 videos over the course of a month (1 video per week, 15 minutes each) wherein participants will be invited to systematically tense and release different muscle groups in the body in order to build awareness of tension and relaxation.

Conditions

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
• Worrying
• Anxiety

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Safety Behavior Fading for Pathological Worry	Participants are asked to reduce or eliminate safety behaviors via text message reminders, daily checklist, and daily progress chart to monitor progress.
BEHAVIORAL	Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)	Participants are asked watch weekly videos lasting 15 minutes each that walk them through a progressive muscle relaxation exercise.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-01
• Primary completion: 2027-02-01
• Completion: 2027-02-01
• First posted: 2026-02-05
• Last updated: 2026-02-05

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States