Does interpersonal loss preceding panic disorder onset moderate response to psychotherapy? An exploratory study

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Limited research exists on factors influencing anxiety disorder treatment outcomes.
• Interpersonal loss as a predictor of treatment success in anxiety disorders remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if interpersonal loss events preceding panic disorder onset moderate treatment outcomes.
• To compare the effects of Panic-Focused Psychodynamic Therapy (PFPP) and Applied Relaxation Therapy (ART) in relation to interpersonal loss.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 49 subjects diagnosed with panic disorder.
• Participants received either 12-week PFPP or ART, with outcomes assessed by blinded raters using the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) and Sheehan Disability Scale.
• Exploratory moderator analyses were conducted.

Main Results:

• Three-quarters of subjects reported a recent interpersonal loss (LOSS).
• PFPP demonstrated greater efficacy than ART overall.
• Unexpectedly, LOSS moderated ART outcomes: subjects without LOSS showed no improvement, while those with LOSS showed significant improvement with ART.

Conclusions:

• Interpersonal loss events prior to panic disorder onset are common and significantly impact treatment outcomes.
• Loss events moderated outcomes in ART, a therapy not specifically designed to address such experiences.
• Further research is needed to understand these implications for clinical practice.