Augmentation of Exposure Therapy With D-Cycloserine for Social Anxiety Disorder

• DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.63.3.298
• Publication Date: 2006-03-06T21:28:08Z
• Authors: Stefan G. Hofmann; Alicia E. Meuret; Jasper A. J. Smits; Naomi M. Simon; Mark H. Pollack; Katherine Eisenme...; Michael Shiekh; Michael W. Otto
• Keywords: Exposure therapy

Context: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is common and debilitating.Although exposure therapy one of the most effective forms psychotherapy for this disorder, many patients remain symptomatic.Fear reduction in similar to extinction learning, early clinical data with specific phobias suggest that treatment effects SAD may be enhanced D-cycloserine, an agonist at glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor.Objective: To determine whether short-term 50 mg D-cycloserine enhances efficacy SAD.Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled augmentation trial examining combination or pill placebo SAD.Setting: Patients were self-referred from general community 1 3 research clinics.Participants: Twenty-seven participants meeting DSM-IV criteria significant public speaking anxiety.Interventions: Following a diagnostic interview pretreatment assessment, received 5 sessions delivered either individual group format.The first session provided introduction model was followed by 4 emphasizing increasingly challenging speech situations videotaped feedback performances.One hour prior each session, single doses placebo.Main Outcome Measures: Symptoms assessed patient self-report clinicians blind randomization condition before treatment, after month last session.Results: Participants receiving addition reported significantly less social compared plus placebo.Controlled effect sizes medium large range. Conclusion:The pilot provide preliminary support use dosing as adjunctive intervention SAD.