A randomized controlled pilot trial of vilazodone for adult separation anxiety disorder. Issue 12 (25th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schneier, Franklin R.; Moskow, Danielle M.; Choo, Tse‐Hwei; Galfalvy, Hanga; Campeas, Raphael; Sanchez‐Lacay, Arturo
• Is Part Of: Depression and anxiety. Volume 34:Issue 12(2017)
• Page Start: 1085
• Page End: 1095
• Publication Date: 2017-10-25
• Subjects: antidepressants -- anxiety/anxiety disorders -- clinical trials -- pharmacotherapy -- separation anxiety; Anxiety -- Periodicals; Depression, Mental -- Periodicals; Depression -- Periodicals; Anxiety -- Periodicals; Anxiety Disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8527005
• DOI: 10.1002/da.22693
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1091-4269

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Separation anxiety disorder was recently recognized by fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as a diagnosis in adults, but no publications to date have characterized a sample of patients seeking treatment for adult separation anxiety disorder (ASAD) or assessed treatment efficacy. We hypothesized that vilazodone, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and serotonin 1a (5HT1a ) receptor partial agonist, would have efficacy in ASAD, because SSRIs have appeared efficacious in children with mixed diagnoses including separation anxiety disorder and in animal models of separation anxiety. Methods: In this pilot study, 24 adults (ages 18–60) with a principal diagnosis of ASAD were randomized to 12 weeks of double‐blind treatment with vilazodone ( n = 13) or placebo ( n = 11). Outcome was assessed by an independent evaluator and self‐ratings, and analyzed with mixed effect models. Results: This sample was predominantly female (67%), with comorbid psychiatric disorders (58%), and adult onset of separation anxiety disorder (62%). Response rates at week 12 did not differ significantly between groups. Across all time points, the vilazodone group evidenced greater improvement on the Structured Clinical Interview for Separation Anxiety Symptoms ( P = .026) and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire ( P = .011), and trends toward greater improvement on the Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire ( P = .054) and the Clinical Global Impression–Change Scale ( P = .086), all with large between‐group effect sizes. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate feasibility of a clinical trial in ASAD, and they suggest that vilazodone may have efficacy in the treatment of ASAD and warrants further study.