How does choice influence drug response?

Beta blockers are commonly used to treat heart conditions such as angina and high blood pressure by slowing the heart and causing it to beat with less force. Because of this, an additional benefit of beta blockers is they promote relaxation and reduce situational anxiety.  

Involvement in this research requests a 50-minute in-person session, in which participants will be required to take a beta blocker and complete three short tasks to simulate an exam. Participants will be randomly assigned to either choose a beta blocker, or be assigned a beta blocker to take.

Participants will also be required to complete brief questionnaires on anxiety levels and any physical symptoms and sensations, and will have their heart rate and blood pressure monitored.

In addition to the in-person session, participants will be asked to complete a short follow-up questionnaire the following day, sent via email link.

Individuals will receive a $50 Westfield voucher as koha for participation.  

To be eligible for participation, you must be:

• Fluent in the English language
• Over the age of 18
• Able to attend one in-person session at the University of Auckland, Grafton Campus
  

Exclusion criteria

• People who are already taking beta blocker medications prescribed by a doctor
  
• Anyone currently taking calcium channel blocker medications or digoxin
  
• People with asthma, diabetes, bronchospasms, low blood pressure, low heart rate or known reactions to any beta blocker medication
  
• Those who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  
• Anyone with known allergies to the inert components of the tablets, including anhydrous lactose, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate, micro crystalline cellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose or FD&C yellow no.5

For more information and to take part in this study, please read the attached documents and contact:

Professor Keith Petrie
Principal investigator
Email: kj.petrie@auckland.ac.nz

Chantelle Bond
Co-investigator, masters student
Email: chantelle.bond@auckland.ac.nz