Personalized virtual reality exposure for panic disorder and agoraphobia: A preliminary neurophysiological study.

BACKGROUND: Personalization is considered an important principle in virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy. We aimed to identify whether personalized VR exposure could provoke increased anxiety in patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia as it is considered the first step in successful treatment for anxiety. METHODS: We performed a double-arm, one-day preliminary study among 28 patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia. Three sessions of VR exposure, including a theater, train, and elevator scenario, were conducted in two groups. In the personalized group (n = 14), the brightness and crowd density were customized based on a pre-assessment. In the control group (n = 14), these conditions were fully randomized. Self-reported anxiety, heart rate, skin conductance, and electroencephalography were measured before, during, and after the VR sessions. RESULTS: In the later VR sessions, higher self-reported anxiety levels measured by the Visual Analogue Scale were observed in the personalized exposure group. Increased heart rates during and after the VR sessions were observed in the personalized group. The changes in skin conductance peaks were not significantly different between the groups, but the increase in skin conductance was associated with the participants' perception of presence. The electroencephalogram showed widespread increases in alpha waves in the frontal and temporal areas of the brain in the personalized group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Personalized VR exposure elicits stronger anxiogenic effects in patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia as suggested by self-report and neurophysiological data. Personalization of VR exposure has the potential for effective behavioral therapy.

Originalbeiträge (Originals). High Young schema levels predict manualized confrontation therapy outcome in patients with panic disorder / Der Einfluss von Schemata nach Young auf das Therapieergebnis von Patienten mit Panikstörung.

The role of schemas is well established in personality disorders. Their influence on therapy outcome of patients with Axis I disorders remains unclear. Therefore, patients with a panic disorder (PD) with/without agoraphobia varying in their expression of early maladaptive schemas were examined regarding therapy outcomes after exposure therapy. In this study, a sample of 216 patients with panic disorder with/without agoraphobia were recruited in a day clinic. After the initial diagnosis with the Structured Clinical Interview, the patients filled out the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ-S2), Beck Depression Inventory and Revised Symptom Checklist. Afterwards, they participated in a five-week manualized exposure therapy by Lang et al. (2011). Subjects with high schema scores showed lower therapeutic success rates than subjects with a weaker pattern score. In addition, it was found that high schema levels, especially of schemas regarding impaired autonomy and achievement (YSQ-S2: domain 2), influenced therapy outcome by either predicting more/severe or less/milder anxiety-, phobicrelated and general symptoms after therapy. The results of this study emphasize the role of schemas not only for personality disorders but also for disorders on Axis I. For PD with/without agoraphobia, schemas regarding impaired autonomy and achievement seem to play the most important role regarding the influence on therapy outcome.

Childhood Trauma and Panic Disorder: The Impact of History of Child Abuse on Illness Severity and Treatment Response.

OBJECTIVE: Patients who have experienced child abuse often have complex clinical presentations; whether a history of child abuse (HCA) affects psychotherapy outcomes is unclear. The authors examined relationships between HCA, clinical baseline variables, and change in these variables after three different psychotherapies for panic disorder (PD). METHODS: Two hundred adults with PD (with or without agoraphobia) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments across two sites: panic-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy (PFPP), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), or applied relaxation training (ART). Differences in demographic and clinical variables between those with and without HCA were compared. The primary analysis addressed odds of meeting clinical response criteria on the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) between treatments, as moderated by HCA. This effect was examined via continuous outcomes on the PDSS and psychosocial functioning (Sheehan Disability Scale). RESULTS: Compared with patients without HCA (N=154), patients with HCA (N=46) experienced significantly more severe symptoms of PD (d=0.60), agoraphobia (d=0.47), and comorbid depression (d=0.46); significantly worse psychosocial impairment (d=0.63) and anxiety sensitivity (d=0.75); greater personality disorder burden (d=0.45)-particularly with cluster C disorders (d=0.47)-and more severe interpersonal problems (d=0.54). HCA significantly moderated the likelihood of clinical response, predicting nonresponse to ART (B=-2.05, 95% CI=-4.17 to -0.30, OR=0.13, z=-2.14, p=0.032) but not CBT or PFPP. HCA did not interact with treatment condition to predict slopes of PDSS change. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study highlight the importance of HCA in formulating treatment recommendations. Increased awareness of HCA's effects on severity of PD and treatment responsiveness among patients with PD may improve outcomes.

The Bergen 4-day treatment for panic disorder: adapting to COVID-19 restrictions with a hybrid approach of face-to-face and videoconference modalities.

BACKGROUND: The Bergen 4-day treatment (B4DT) is a concentrated exposure-based therapy that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. The current study sought to examine the effectiveness of B4DT for panic disorder (PD), when delivered with a combination of face-to-face sessions and videoconferencing. METHODS: Treatment was delivered to 50 patients from April 2020 to May 2021. Because of regulations during the pandemic, a significant portion of the treatment was conducted via videoconference. The primary outcome measure was the clinician-rated Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), and secondary measures included patient-rated symptoms of panic disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety, depression, and treatment satisfaction. Changes in symptom levels over time were estimated using multilevel models. RESULTS: Patients showed a significant reduction in clinician-rated symptoms of panic disorder (Measured by PDSS) from before treatment to post treatment (d = 2.18) and 3-month follow-up (d = 2.01). At three months follow-up 62% of patients were classified as in remission, while 70% reported a clinically significant response. We also found a reduction in symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety, and the patients reported high satisfaction with the treatment. CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that B4DT delivered in a combination of videoconference and face-to-face meetings may be a useful treatment approach. As the study is uncontrolled, future studies should also include more strictly designed investigations.

The moderating and mediating role of telepresence and cognitive change in cognitive behaviour therapy delivered via videoconference.

In this study, we combined the results of two controlled trials and examined the relationships between working alliance, telepresence, cognitive change and treatment outcome. Sixty-five participants with a primary diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA) received cognitive behaviour therapy delivered via videoconference. Participants completed measures of working alliance and telepresence after three psychotherapy sessions. They also completed measures of treatment outcome and dysfunctional beliefs (cognitive change) specific to PDA and GAD at pretreatment and posttreatment. Results revealed that telepresence at the fifth session moderated the relationship between the working alliance at the first and fifth sessions. As telepresence increased, its impact on the working alliance diminished. Cognitive change mediated the relationship between the working alliance at the fifth session and treatment outcome.

[Prescription-based digital interventions in psychiatry : Methodology, possible areas of application, and legal framework of digital tools for panic disorder and agoraphobia available in Germany]. / Digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen mit psychotherapeutischem Fokus : Therapieprinzipien, Einsatzmöglichkeiten, rechtlicher Rahmen und Verordnungspraxis am Beispiel der Anwendungen für die Panikstörung und Agoraphobie.

In 2020, prescription-based digital interventions were introduced in Germany. These digital courses have to meet safety and data privacy requirements and must prove positive effects on symptoms and/or other outcome parameters. Interventions are available for a range of mental disorders. For patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia, several applications based on cognitive behavioral therapy have been developed. Within these digital courses, patients can typically access psychoeducational content and practice psychotherapeutic strategies such as exposure therapy. Recent meta-analyses prove the effectiveness of such interventions when compared with waitlist control conditions. According to current German guidelines, digital courses can be used to prepare psychotherapy and as an accompanying tool during psychotherapy. In Germany, physicians and psychotherapist can prescribe digital interventions for outpatients and as a post-hospital treatment..

[Exposure therapy for panic disorder and agoraphobia in the context of existing antidepressive medication]. / Expositionstherapie bei Panikstörung und Agoraphobie im Kontext bestehender antidepressiver Medikation.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy with antidepressants are both a highly effective treatment for agoraphobia and/or panic disorder; however, a combination of CBT and antidepressants is under debate due to potentially unfavorable interference effects. The associations of existing antidepressant medication with panic and agoraphobia symptom burden and their change in the context of a structured 5­week day hospital and exposure-focused treatment in a naturalistic setting were investigated. METHODS: Out of a total of n = 488 patients medication use during treatment was retrospectively determined for n = 380: n = 100 (26.3%) were taking antidepressants of different drug classes. Calculations were performed using multiple linear regression analysis, t­tests, response analyses, and χ2-tests. RESULTS: Patients with existing antidepressant medication more often met the criteria for comorbid depressive disorder (p < 0.001). The measure of symptom change and treatment response rates did not differ between patients with and without antidepressants with respect to anxiety symptoms. DISCUSSION: In the context studied, patients with and without existing antidepressant medication benefited equally from CBT with respect to anxiety symptoms.

Comparative efficacy and acceptability of psychotherapies for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Psychotherapies are the treatment of choice for panic disorder, but which should be considered as first-line treatment is yet to be substantiated by evidence. AIMS: To examine the most effective and accepted psychotherapy for the acute phase of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia via a network meta-analysis. METHOD: We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to examine the most effective and accepted psychotherapy for the acute phase of panic disorder. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo and CENTRAL, from inception to 1 Jan 2021 for RCTs. Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines were used. Pairwise and network meta-analyses were conducted using a random-effects model. Confidence in the evidence was assessed using Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA). The protocol was published in a peer-reviewed journal and in PROSPERO (CRD42020206258). RESULTS: We included 136 RCTs in the systematic review. Taking into consideration efficacy (7352 participants), acceptability (6862 participants) and the CINeMA confidence in evidence appraisal, the best interventions in comparison with treatment as usual (TAU) were cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) (for efficacy: standardised mean differences s.m.d. = -0.67, 95% CI -0.95 to -0.39; CINeMA: moderate; for acceptability: relative risk RR = 1.21, 95% CI -0.94 to 1.56; CINeMA: moderate) and short-term psychodynamic therapy (for efficacy: s.m.d. = -0.61, 95% CI -1.15 to -0.07; CINeMA: low; for acceptability: RR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.54-1.54; CINeMA: moderate). After removing RCTs at high risk of bias only CBT remained more efficacious than TAU. CONCLUSIONS: CBT and short-term psychodynamic therapy are reasonable first-line choices. Studies with high risk of bias tend to inflate the overall efficacy of treatments. Results from this systematic review and network meta-analysis should inform clinicians and guidelines.

The Bergen 4-day treatment for panic disorder: replication and implementation in a new clinic.

BACKGROUND: Bergen 4-day treatment (B4DT) is a concentrated exposure-based treatment (cET), where the patient receives concentrated, individually tailored cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) during four consecutive days. Previous findings have indicated that B4DT could be a promising treatment for panic disorder (PD). AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the implementation of B4DT for panic disorder with- and without agoraphobia, at a new clinic. This is the first replication study for B4DT on panic disorder. METHOD: Thirty consecutively recruited patients with PD were included in an open trial design. Assessment of symptoms of panic disorder were measured with Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), while symptoms of generalized anxiety were assessed by Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and depressive symptoms by Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) pre-treatment, post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up. Treatment satisfaction was measured with Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) post-treatment. RESULTS: The results showed a significant reduction in symptom severity from pre-treatment to post-treatment (d = 4.32), and at 3-month follow-up (d = 4.91). The proportion of patients classified as fulfilling the criteria for remission was 80.0% at post-treatment and 86.7% at follow up. There was a significant reduction in symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety. Treatment satisfaction was high and none of the patients dropped out. CONCLUSION: The current study replicated the results from the original study and indicate that the treatment can be successfully implemented at new clinics. B4DT may be a promising treatment for panic disorder and comorbid symptoms of generalized anxiety and depression. Larger and more controlled studies are needed to establish the efficacy of B4DT for panic disorder.

A pragmatic randomized controlled trial of a group self-management support program versus treatment-as-usual for anxiety disorders: study protocol.

BACKGROUND: The integration of a personal recovery-oriented practice in mental health services is an emerging principle in policy planning. Self-management support (SMS) is an intervention promoting recovery that aims at educating patients on the nature of their mental disorder, improving their strategies to manage their day-to-day symptoms, fostering self-efficacy and empowerment, preventing relapse, and promoting well-being. While SMS is well established for chronic physical conditions, there is a lack of evidence to support the implementation of structured SMS programs for common mental disorders, and particularly for anxiety disorders. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a group-based self-management support program for anxiety disorders as an add-on to treatment-as-usual in community-based care settings. METHODS/DESIGN: We will conduct a multicentre pragmatic randomized controlled trial with a pre-treatment, post-treatment (4-month post-randomization), and follow-ups at 8, 12 and 24-months. TREATMENT AND CONTROL GROUPS: a) group self-management support (10 weekly 2.5-h group web-based sessions with 10-15 patients with two trained facilitators); b) treatment-as-usual. Participants will include adults meeting DSM-5 criteria for Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, and/or Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The primary outcome measure will be the Beck Anxiety Inventory; secondary outcome measures will comprise self-reported instruments for anxiety and depressive symptoms, recovery, self-management, quality of life, and service utilisation. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data will be analysed based on intention-to-treat with a mixed effects regression model accounting for between and within-subject variations in the effects of the intervention. DISCUSSION: This study will contribute to the limited knowledge base regarding the effectiveness of structured group self-management support for anxiety disorders. It is expected that changes in patients' self-management behaviour will lead to better anxiety management and, consequently, to improved patient outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05124639 . Prospectively registered 18 November 2021.

Internet psychotherapeutic interventions for anxiety disorders - a critical evaluation.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, internet-delivered psychotherapeutic interventions (IPI) move increasingly into the focus of attention. METHOD: We reviewed 39 randomized controlled studies of IPIs with 97 study arms (n = 4122 patients) for anxiety disorders (panic disorder/agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder) and performed a meta-analysis. Most studies were conducted with cognitive behavioural approaches (iCBT). Results were compared with a previous meta-analysis examining medications and face-to-face (F2F) psychotherapy. RESULTS: In direct comparisons, IPIs were as effective as F2F-CBT and superior to waitlist controls. Programs with more intensive therapist contact yielded higher effect sizes (ES). We compared the obtained ES with a previous comprehensive meta-analysis of 234 studies. In this comparison, iCBT was less effective than individual F2F-CBT and medications, not different from pill placebos, and more effective than psychological placebo and waitlist (p > .0001 for all comparisons). ES of IPIs may be overestimated. Treatments were only compared to waitlist, which is not a sufficient control condition. 97% of the studies were not blinded with regard to the main outcome measure. 32% of the participants received antianxiety drugs during the trials. In 89%, participants were recruited by advertisements rather than from clinical settings, and 63% of the participants had an academic background (students or university employees) which might affect the generalizability of the findings. Remote diagnoses were often made by students without completed training in psychotherapy. In only 15% of the studies, diagnoses were made in personal contact with a psychiatrist or psychologist. In 44% of the studies, the 'therapists' maintaining remote contact with the participants were mostly students without completed psychotherapy education. CONCLUSIONS: IPIs may be a useful tool when face-to-face psychotherapy is not easily available, or as an add-on to standard psychotherapeutic or psychopharmacological treatments but should perhaps not be used as monotherapy. We have suggested standards for future research and the practical use of IPIs.

Using 360-degree videos for virtual reality exposure in CBT for panic disorder with agoraphobia: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA). However, implementation of some of the procedures involved, particularly in vivo exposure, can be time consuming and taxing for routine health care services. CBT with exposure taking place in virtual reality (VR-CBT) is a more time-efficient option and has shown promising results in the treatment of PDA. However, VR-CBT requires expensive equipment and appropriate virtual environments, which historically has been costly and cumbersome to produce. Thus, access to VR-CBT has been sparse in regular care environments. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate whether VR-CBT using filmed virtual environments produced with a low-cost 360-degree film camera can be a feasible and acceptable treatment for PDA when implemented in a primary care context. METHOD: This was an open feasibility trial with a within-group design, with assessments conducted at pre-test, post-test, and 6-month follow-up. Participants (n = 12) received a 10-12 week treatment programme of VR-CBT and PDA-related symptoms were assessed by the primary outcome measure The Mobility Inventory for Agoraphobia (MIA) and the Panic-Disorder Severity Scale-Self Rated (PDSS-SR). RESULTS: The results showed that treatment satisfaction was high and participants were significantly improved on PDA-related measures at post-treatment and at 6-month follow-up with large effect sizes (Cohen's d range = 1.46-2.82). All 12 participants completed the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that VR-CBT with 360-degree video virtual environments delivered to primary care patients with PDA is feasible, acceptable, and potentially efficacious.

The Effect of Patient's Choice of Cognitive Behavioural or Psychodynamic Therapy on Outcomes for Panic Disorder: A Doubly Randomised Controlled Preference Trial.

INTRODUCTION: It remains unclear whether offering psychiatric patients their preferred treatment influences outcomes at the symptom level. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether offering patients with panic disorder with/without agoraphobia (PD/A) a choice between 2 psychotherapies yields superior outcomes to random assignment. METHODS: In a doubly randomised, controlled preference trial (DRCPT), 221 adults with PD/A were randomly assigned to: choosing panic-focused psychodynamic therapy (PFPP) or panic control treatment (PCT; a form of cognitive behavioural therapy); random assignment to PFPP or PCT; or waiting list control. Primary outcomes were PD/A severity, work status and work absences at post-treatment assessment. Outcomes at post-treatment assessment, 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-ups were assessed using segmented multilevel linear growth models. RESULTS: At post-treatment assessment, the choice and random conditions were superior to the control for panic severity but not work status/absences. The choice and random conditions did not differ during treatment or follow-up for the primary outcomes. For panic severity, PCT was superior to PFPP during treatment (standardised mean difference, SMD, -0.64; 95% confidence interval, CI, -1.02 to -0.25); PFPP was superior to PCT during follow-up (SMD 0.62; 95% CI 0.27-0.98). There was no allocation by treatment type interaction (SMD -0.57; 95% CI -1.31 to 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Previous studies have found that offering patients their preferred treatment yields small to moderate effects but have not employed designs that could rigorously test preference effects. In this first DRCPT of 2 evidence-based psychotherapies, allowing patients with PD/A to choose their preferred treatment was not associated with improved outcomes. Further DRCPTs are needed.

Social anxiety and agoraphobia symptoms effectively treated by Prompt Mental Health Care versus TAU at 6- and 12-month follow-up: Secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Prompt Mental Health Care (PMHC, Norwegian adaption of Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) has shown effects on symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to treatment as usual (TAU). In this secondary analysis, we examine the effectiveness of PMHC among clients presenting with symptoms of social anxiety disorder (SAD) and/or agoraphobia on core symptoms at 6- and 12-month follow-up. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial in two PMHC sites (70:30 ratio PMHC:TAU). Of participants, 61.3% (n = 472) scored at caseness for SAD and 47.7% (n = 367) for agoraphobia (40% both). Effects on SAD avoidance and physiological discomfort (SPIN-9), SAD cognitions (ATQ-SA), agoraphobic avoidance (MIA-8), and agoraphobic cognitions (ATQ-AP) were examined in piecewise growth models. RESULTS: The PMHC group showed substantially greater symptom reduction than the TAU group for all outcomes: At 6-month follow-up, the between-group effect sizes were d -0.60 (95% CI: -0.94 to -0.26) for SPIN-9, -0.45 (95% CI: -0.70 to -0.20) for ATQ-SA, -0.50 (95% CI: -0.87 to -0.13) for MIA-8, and -0.61 (95% CI: -0.92 to -0.31) for ATQ-AP. All effects were sustained at similar level at a 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: PMHC effectively alleviated SAD and agoraphobia symptoms, and individuals struggling with such symptoms constituted a large proportion of clients. Although results should be interpreted with caution due to risk of attrition bias, they lend further support for a scale-up of PMHC and similar initiatives. Individuals struggling with SAD and/or agoraphobia stood out as relatively high burdened, whereas only one of five had sought help the last 12 months, underscoring the need for the PMHC service.

Stress Hormones as Predictors of Response to Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Panic Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Data regarding the potential association between the outcome of psychotherapy of panic disorder (PD) and biological parameters are few. In 21 (16 females) consecutively referred, medication-free, acutely ill PD outpatients, without comorbidities, except agoraphobia, we systematically explored for potential neuroendocrine and clinical correlates of response to a brief cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). METHODS: Cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) basal plasma levels were measured. Measures of psychopathology: (a) Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), (b) Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I) Scale, (c) Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ), and (d) Mobility Inventory (MI)-alone subscale. RESULTS: Nonresponders to CBT (CGI-I >2; N = 6) - as compared to the responders (CGI-I ≤2; N = 15) - demonstrated significantly higher cortisol and ACTH basal plasma concentrations. These differences were much stronger when only female patients (nonresponders = 4; responders = 12) were taken into consideration. Regarding psychopathology, nonresponders to CBT suffered from more severe agoraphobia (MI-alone) at baseline. On the contrary, more intense manifestations of anger (SCL-90-R) at baseline were associated with a better treatment outcome. Response to CBT was associated with significant reductions in all SCL-90-R subscales, more pronounced for "phobic anxiety" and "anxiety" subscales. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that in acutely ill, medication-free PD patients, response to CBT may be associated with certain hormonal and clinical parameters at baseline.

Evaluating a Hybrid Web-Based Training Program for Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies provide evidence for the effectiveness of web-based interventions for panic disorder with and without agoraphobia. Smartphone-based technologies hold significant potential for further enhancing the accessibility and efficacy of such interventions. OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a guided, hybrid web-based training program based on cognitive behavioral therapy for adults with symptoms of panic disorder. METHODS: Participants (N=92) with total scores in the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale ranging from 9 to 28 were recruited from the general population and allocated either to a hybrid intervention (GET.ON Panic) or to a wait-list control group. The primary outcome was the reduction in panic symptoms, as self-assessed using a web-based version of the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance-based intention-to-treat analyses revealed a significantly stronger decrease in panic symptoms posttreatment (F=9.77; P=.002; Cohen d=0.66; 95% CI 0.24-1.08) in the intervention group than in the wait-list control group. Comparisons between groups of the follow-up measures at 3 and 6 months yielded even stronger effects (3-month follow-up: F=17.40, P<.001, Cohen d=0.89, 95% CI 0.46-1.31; 6-month follow-up: F=14.63, P<.001, Cohen d=0.81, 95% CI 0.38-1.24). CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid web-based training programs may help reduce the symptoms of panic disorder and hence play an important role in improving health care for patients with this debilitating disorder. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trial Register DRKS00005223; https://tinyurl.com/f4zt5ran. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.1186/1745-6215-15-427.

Preferences for panic control treatment and panic focused psychodynamic psychotherapy for panic disorder - who chooses which and why?

Objective: Few studies have examined factors associated with patient's choice of particular psychological treatments. The present study explores possible associations to, and the reasons given for, patient's choice of Panic Control Treatment (PCT) or Panic-Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (PFPP) for Panic Disorder with or without Agoraphobia (PD/A).Method: Both quantitative and qualitative analyses were applied to data obtained from 109 adults with PD/A who were randomized to the Choice condition in the doubly randomized controlled preference trial from which this data are drawn.Results: The strongest associations were between treatment credibility ratings and the treatment choice (d = -1.00 and 1.31, p < .01, for PCT and PFPP respectively). Treatment choice was also moderately associated with patient characteristics, treatment helpfulness beliefs, and learning style. Qualitative analysis revealed that patients gave contrasting reasons for their treatment choice; either a focus on the present, symptom reduction and problem-solving for those who chose PCT or a focus on the past, symptom understanding and reflection for those who chose PFPP.Conclusions: When offered a choice between two evidence-based psychotherapies for PD/A, the resulting choice was primarily a function of the patient's beliefs about the chosen therapy, its potential for success, and their preferred learning style.

Cost-effectiveness of Practice Team-Supported Exposure Training for Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia in Primary Care: a Cluster-Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Primary care is the main treatment setting for panic disorder and should be supplemented by collaborative care programs. However, shortage of mental health professionals prevents collaborative care programs from being effectively implemented. The PARADISE study showed the efficacy of a self-managed, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)-oriented exposure training for patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia in primary care delivered by the family practice team. OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of the PARADISE intervention. DESIGN: Cost-effectiveness analysis from the societal perspective based on data from a cluster-randomized controlled trial over a time horizon of 12 months. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred nineteen adult panic disorder patients with or without agoraphobia. INTERVENTIONS: A self-managed, CBT-oriented exposure training for patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia in primary care delivered by the primary care practice team in comparison to routine care. MAIN MEASURES: Total costs from the societal perspective. Direct costs and disease-specific costs. Quality-adjusted life years based on the EQ-5D-3L. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. KEY RESULTS: Patients in the intervention group caused lower costs (mean, €1017; 95% confidence interval [-€3306; €1272]; p = 0.38) and gained on average more QALY (mean, 0.034 QALY (95% confidence interval [0.005; 0.062]; p = 0.02). Therefore, the intervention dominated the control treatment. The probability of cost-effectiveness of the intervention at a willingness-to-pay margin of €50,000 per QALY was 96%. Results from supplementary analyses considering direct or disease-specific costs instead of total costs showed comparable results. CONCLUSION: The PARADISE intervention is cost effective. This conclusion is valid for total costs, generic health care (direct) costs, disease-specific health care costs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00004386 Current Controlled Trials: ISRCTN64669297.

Avoidance Moderates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a well-validated treatment for panic disorder, includes interoceptive exposures and possibly in vivo exposures to agoraphobic situations. Testing predictors and moderators of CBT outcomes can improve treatment efficacy. Sixty-six individuals with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia were randomized to panic control therapy (PCT) (n = 32) or PCT and in vivo exposures to agoraphobic situations (PCT + IV) (n = 34). Secondary analyses using multilevel models with repeated measures design revealed that individuals who displayed more interoceptive avoidance and agoraphobic avoidance fared better after PCT than PCT + IV compared with individuals who displayed less avoidance. Results suggest that these individuals benefit from concentrated doses of exposures to their primary interoceptive concerns instead of additional exposures to agoraphobic situations. Exploratory analyses were also conducted on fear, demographic factors, and clinical characteristics. Findings inform clinical decision-making and personalized medicine. Limitations include low power for detecting small effect sizes.

Well-Being Therapy in Anxiety Disorders.

In almost all treatments for prevalent psychiatric conditions, particular attention has been devoted to stress and its consequences; this has led to an involuntary and unavoidable reinforcement of negative aspects of life. Because of the important influence of individual and cultural influences on positive health, well-being is a challenge from a clinical and scientific perspective and interventions aimed at enhancing it represent an area of growing interest for the future of clinical practice and research. Well-being therapy (WBT) is a short-term psychotherapeutic strategy aimed at enhancing well-being based on the model originally developed in 1958 by Marie Jahoda. It emphasizes self-observation, with the use of a structured diary, interaction between patients and therapists, and homework. WBT may be used as the only therapeutic strategy or in sequential combination with other psychotherapeutic strategies, mainly cognitive behavioral therapy. WBT can be differentiated from positive interventions based on several features which are described in detail in the present chapter. We also report the clinical use of WBT in the treatment of anxiety disorders, mainly generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and agoraphobia. Potential further clinical application of WBT is withdrawal after antidepressants discontinuation and side effects during long-term antidepressant treatment.