Completed Studies

D-Cycloserine-Enhanced Intensive Treatment for Panic Disorder in Adolescents

The Principal Investigator on this project is Ovsanna Leyfer, Ph.D. This study is now closes to enrollment and the results will be out in the winter of 2017. This study evaluated the effects of 3 single doses of medication d-cycloserine on the effectiveness of an 8-day intensive cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder in adolescents ages 12-17. The treatment relied on exposure (regular and stepwise practice with sensations or events that a person finds frightening) to help treat teens with panic disorder.

The participants were randomly assigned to receive either 3 doses of d-cycloserine in conjunction with therapy or 3 doses of placebo (sugar pill) in conjunction with therapy.  Both groups did very well in treatment, with 77% of the teens diagnosis free at the end of the treatment. At the 3-month follow-up, 86% of the adolescents no longer had a diagnosis of panic disorder. For more information about the results of the study, please contact Dr. Ovsanna Leyfer at 617-353-9610 or at oleyfer@bu.edu.

Internet-Delivered Parent Child Interaction Therapy for Preschool Disruptive Behavior Problems

The Principal Investigator on this project is Jonathan Comer, Ph.D., who is now an Associate Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at Florida International University. This study is now closed to enrollment and results will be due out in the winter of 2016-2017. Preliminary results suggest that Internet-delivered PCIT for 3-5 year olds with disruptive behavior problems is comparable to traditional clinic-based PCIT. Results also suggest that Internet-delivered treatment is feasible and acceptable to families in the Miami and greater Boston areas. Please e-mail Dr. Comer at jocomer@fiu.edu for more information about the results of this study.

Internet-Delivered Exposure and Response Prevention for Early-Onset OCD in 4-8 Year Olds

The Principal Investigator on this project is Jonathan Comer, Ph.D., who is now an Associate Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at Florida International University. This study is now closed to enrollment and results will be due out in the winter of 2016-2017. Preliminary results suggest that Internet-delivered EX/RP for 4-8 year olds with OCD is comparable to traditional clinic-based EX/RP for early childhood OCD. Results also suggest that Internet-delivered treatment is feasible and acceptable to families in the Boston area. Please e-mail Dr. Comer at jocomer@fiu.edu for more information about the results of this study.

Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in 7-14 Year Olds

The Principal Investigator on this project is Aubrey Carpenter, M.A., a doctoral student who completed this multi-site study at Boston University and Florida International University as her dissertation study. Her faculty mentors are Donna Pincus, Ph.D., and Jonathan Comer, Ph.D. This study is now closed to enrollment and is in the long-term follow-up phase; results will be due out in the winter of 2016-2017. Preliminary results suggest that Internet-delivered CBT for 7-14 year olds with separation anxiety, generalized anxiety, and/or social anxiety is feasible, effective, and acceptable to families in the Miami and greater Boston areas. Please e-mail Aubrey Carpenter at aedson@bu.edu for more information about the results of this study.