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Self-exposure therapy for panic disorder with agoraphobia: randomised controlled study of external v. interoceptive
L M Ito1, L A de Araujo, V L Tess
1Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, Cep 05403-010, São Paulo, Brazil.
Background:
Exposure to external phobic cues is an effective therapy for panic/agoraphobia but the value of exposure to interoceptive cues is unclear.
Aims:
Randomised controlled comparison in panic/agoraphobia of the effects of (a) external, (b) interceptive or (c) combined external and interoceptive self-exposure to (d) control subjects.
Method:
Eighty out-patients were randomised to a control group or to one of three forms of self-exposure treatment (external, interoceptive, or combined). Each treatment included seven sessions over 10 weeks and daily self-exposure homework. Assessments were at pre- and post-treatment and up to 1 year post-entry. Assessors remained blind during treatment.
Results:
The three self-exposure groups improved significantly and similarly at post-treatment and up to 1-year followup, and significantly more than did the control subjects. Rates of improvement on main outcome measures averaged 60% at post-treatment and 77% at follow-up.
Conclusions:
The three methods of self-exposure were equally effective in reducing panic and agoraphobic symptoms in the short- and long-term.