Level of Physical Activity and Fear Learning

Summary

The proposed experimental study will be the first to investigate whether exercise vs. sitting enhances consolidation of extinction learning in adults with high AS and anxiety disorders, and the mechanistic pathways of expectancy, affect, and key stress response markers.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Males and females ages 18-60
* A primary diagnosis of a DSM-5 anxiety disorder (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder)
* Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 score of ≥23 (i.e., high anxiety sensitivity)
* Able and willing to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Lifetime Bipolar Disorder or psychosis
* Past 3 months substance use disorder or eating disorder
* Current PTSD (past PTSD \> 6 months prior to screening is allowed)
* High risk for exercise according to the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire and American College of Sports Medicine guidelines with excluded active medical conditions including heart conditions, lung disease, bone/joint problems, or seizures
* Women who are currently pregnant
* Acute suicide risk (active suicidal ideation with plan and intent) as indicated by a score of ≥4 on the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
* Benzodiazepine use
* Current substance abuse or positive urine toxicology screen (recreational use of marijuana is permitted based on clinical assessment on the MINI structured diagnostic interview that it does not meet criteria for cannabis use disorder)
* Stable psychiatric medications for at least 4 weeks prior to experimental procedures

Conditions4

Locations1 site

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