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Group cognitive behavioural therapy for heterogeneous anxiety disorders
1University of British Columbia Hospital, Vancouver, Canada. dhericks@vanhosp.bc.ca
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
|November 18, 2005
Summary
Group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) effectively reduces anxiety symptoms in mixed-disorder groups within routine clinical settings. This approach shows immediate and lasting improvements, supporting its use for diverse anxiety conditions.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Existing cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) research for anxiety focuses on disorder-specific protocols.
- Limited evidence exists for group CBT delivery in routine clinical settings for mixed anxiety disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week group CBT program for unselected patients with mixed anxiety disorders in a real-world clinical environment.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week group CBT program was delivered, including weekly 2-hour sessions and daily homework.
- Participants (n=70) with any of 5 anxiety disorders completed self-report measures at baseline and post-group.
- A subset provided 6-month follow-up data.
Main Results:
- Significant immediate reductions in anxiety symptoms were observed post-group (effect size eta = 0.73, p < 0.001).
- These improvements were maintained at the 6-month follow-up assessment.
Conclusions:
- Group CBT for heterogeneous anxiety disorders appears effective in routine clinical practice.
- The findings support further investigation with a more rigorous study design for this format.
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