Treating Young Adult Generalized Anxiety Disorder With Text-Message Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Launched by THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE · Jan 8, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to help young adults, aged 18 to 25, who are experiencing high levels of anxiety. The researchers have created a program called CBT-txt-Anxiety, which delivers cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) through text messages over eight weeks. The goal is to see if this text-based program can effectively reduce anxiety symptoms compared to a group that will not receive the treatment right away.

To participate, individuals must be between 18 and 25 years old, have a specific score indicating they are experiencing elevated anxiety, live in the United States, and agree to receive text messages from the study. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the text therapy group or a waitlist group, and they will be checked on at different points over three months to see how they are doing. This trial is currently recruiting, and it offers a convenient way for young adults to seek help for their anxiety through their phones.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • A) 18 to 25 years old B) a score of at least 10 on the GAD-7 (indicating elevated anxiety symptoms) C) lives in the United States D) consents to receiving text messages from the study
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • A) treatment for anxiety during the past three months B) lack of access to a text-capable phone C) unable or unwilling to commit to three months of follow-up D) not fluent in English.