Education and Training
Anxiety in Older Veterans
Anxiety leads to poor quality of life, avoidance of activities, decreased social engagement, functional decline, and disability in older patients. This study will compare two self-directed treatments delivered via Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) videos that can be viewed in one's own home. The two treatments being compared are: psychoeducation, which refers to information and education about anxiety, and a behavioral treatment program, called BREATHE (Breathing, Relaxation and Education for Anxiety Treatment in the Home Environment). BREATHE teaches diaphragmatic breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. Participants will be randomly assigned to either treatment. The study is 12 weeks long. There are 4 weeks of treatment via DVD and 8 weeks of follow-up. Participants will be asked questions about anxiety symptoms, mood, health and functioning.
Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.
Stanford Investigator(s):
Intervention(s):
- behavioral: Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- behavioral: Diaphragmatic Breathing
- other: Psychoeducation (Placebo)
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Veterans aged 60 years or older.
- Meets criteria for an anxiety disorder (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety
Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Anxiety Disorder Unspecified, Anxiety Disorder
Other Specified).
- English-speaking.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of dementia or significant cognitive impairment as determined by a brief
cognitive screen.
- Diagnosis of serious mental illness (bipolar disorder, psychosis, schizophrenia),
- taking benzodiazepines more than once a week per self report.
Ages Eligible for Study
60 Years - N/A
Genders Eligible for Study
All
Not currently accepting new patients for this trial
Contact Information
Stanford University
School of Medicine
300 Pasteur Drive
Stanford,
CA
94305
Christine E Gould, PhD
Not Recruiting