Recruiting

Observational Study

Sponsor:

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Code:

NCT07849907

Conditions

Parasite and Infestation Physician-Patient Diagnostic Incongruency

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 70

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

No intervention - observational study

Study Details

Brief summary:

Many people have evidence of bugs, parasites, and infestation, but are told by others that they cannot find a cause. This distressing and frustrating experience can last for years, as the person seeks answers. The current study aims to understand the experience of these individuals. In a 1-2 hour session over Zoom, the investigators will ask participants questions about their experience, have them complete self-report questionnaires, and ask them to complete a few games on the computer. The investigators' goal is to help characterize and understand individuals with this experience to aid in better treatment and inform recommendations for providers.

Conditions

Parasite and Infestation Physician-Patient Diagnostic Incongruency

Study ID

NCT07849907

Start date

Dec 31, 2024

Status verified date

Sep, 2026

Completion date

Dec, 2030

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Dec, 2029

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 70

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Men and women aged 18-70 years old
  • At least 50% certain that they have an active infection/infestation/parasite, despite being told by doctor that they do not
  • Ability to read and speak English
  • Access to a computer or phone for virtual visit
  • No self-reported history of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Active substance use disorder (excluding nicotine and caffeine)
  • History of severe head trauma
  • Current use of antipsychotics
  • Serious medical or neurological illness known to interfere with cognitive functioning
  • Diagnosis of a learning disability or cognitive disorder

Study Design

Enrollment

25 participants

Anticipated

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

PPDI Group

Interventions

No intervention - observational study

This study will not involve an intervention.

Primary outcome measure

  • Psychological Wellbeing [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  • Social Network [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  • Depression [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  • Anxiety [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  • Belief Updating [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  • BADE [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  • Interoceptive Awareness [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  • Dissociation [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  • Childhood Trauma [ Time Frame: Baseline ]
  • DACOBS [ Time Frame: Baseline ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Sheffield Lab

(615) 686-2488sheffieldlab.vumc@gmail.com

Locations

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Recruiting

Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37212

Contacts

Sheffield Lab

(615) 686-2488sheffieldlab.vumc@gmail.com

More Information

Sponsor

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Last update posted

Sep 30, 2026

Last verified

Sep, 2026

Keywords

  • parasites
  • infestation
  • Morgellons Disease
  • bugs crawling
  • tactile

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-10-01. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by Vanderbilt University Medical Center on 2026-09-30. Recruitment status is synced daily from ClinicalTrials.gov and may not reflect the sponsor's current status. Confirm during your call.