Testing a breathing challenge to predict anxiety treatment success

Plain-English translation of NCT05467683 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated June 2026 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

Researchers want to find out whether a safe, simple test—where you breathe in a small amount of carbon dioxide—can predict who will respond well to exposure-based therapy. Exposure-based therapy is a proven psychological treatment for anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, and related conditions. This study will help doctors and patients make better decisions about which treatments to try.

Many people receive exposure-based therapy but don't improve as much as they'd hoped. A simple test that could predict who will benefit from this treatment could help patients find the right therapy faster, reduce unnecessary suffering, and use healthcare resources more wisely.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have a primary diagnosis of panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, or PTSD confirmed by a clinical interview
you score 8 or higher on a standard anxiety severity measure
you are between 18 and 70 years old
you are fluent in English
you are willing and able to follow the study protocol and give informed consent

You likely don't qualify if…

you have a history of bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, or substance use disorders (other than nicotine)
you have had active thoughts of suicide with intent or suicide attempts in the past 6 months
you have heart problems, high blood pressure, asthma, lung disease, or other medical conditions that would make breathing tests unsafe for you
you are pregnant or breastfeeding
you are currently in therapy for your anxiety or trauma symptoms

What participation looks like

You will undergo a brief breathing challenge test (inhaling a small amount of carbon dioxide) and a hyperventilation test before beginning treatment. Then you'll receive state-of-the-art exposure-based therapy over several weeks. The researchers will measure how well the breathing test predicted your response to treatment. The entire process will take place across two study sites, and your data will help validate whether this simple test can help other patients in the future.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 13, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(2 sites)

United States

Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts

The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas