Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026
06:52
The use of Biofeedback in Clinical Virtual Reality: The INTREPID Project
Published on: November 12, 2009
15.8K
Internet-delivered acceptance-based behaviour therapy for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial
Mats Dahlin1, Gerhard Andersson2, Kristoffer Magnusson3
1Psykologpartners, Private Practice, Linköping, Sweden.
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|January 6, 2016
Summary
Therapist-guided internet-delivered acceptance-based behavior therapy significantly reduced generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms. These positive effects on anxiety and depression were maintained at six months, though quality of life did not improve.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a significant cause of disability.
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is an established treatment for GAD.
- Internet-delivered interventions offer scalable treatment options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of therapist-guided internet-delivered acceptance-based behaviour therapy (ABT) for GAD.
- To assess the impact of this intervention on depressive symptoms and quality of life.
- To examine the maintenance of treatment effects at six-month follow-up.
Main Methods:
- 103 participants with GAD were randomized to immediate internet-delivered ABT or a waiting-list control.
- The intervention included online modules, an audio CD, a workbook, and therapist guidance.
- Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze symptom changes.
Main Results:
- Moderate to large effects were observed on GAD symptoms (Cohen's d = 0.70–0.98).
- Moderate effects were found for depressive symptoms (Cohen's d = 0.51–0.56).
- No significant effects were found on quality of life; effects were maintained at follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Internet-delivered, therapist-guided ABT is effective in reducing GAD symptoms.
- The treatment shows sustained benefits for anxiety and depressive symptoms.
- Further research may explore optimizing interventions for quality of life improvements.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Behavior Therapy
929
Behavior therapy incorporates diverse techniques rooted in classical conditioning principles to address maladaptive behaviors and anxiety disorders. These methods aim to reduce avoidance behaviors, foster adaptive coping mechanisms, and alter associations between stimuli and responses, making them effective in a wide range of therapeutic contexts.
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
929
01:30Generalized Anxiety Disorder
1.1K
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...
1.1K
01:24Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
644
Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs) are grounded in the belief that our thoughts profoundly influence our emotions and actions. Advocates of CBT emphasize three core assumptions: first, that cognitions are identifiable and measurable; second, that they are central to psychological functioning; and third, that irrational or maladaptive beliefs can be replaced with rational and adaptive ones. This transformative approach to therapy has paved the way for specific models such as Albert...
644
01:28Social Anxiety Disorder
757
Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.
757
01:25Cognitive Therapy
1.4K
Cognitive therapy, pioneered by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, is a structured approach to addressing psychological distress by focusing on the influence of thoughts on emotions and behaviors. All cognitive therapies involve the basic assumption that human beings have control over their feelings, and that how individuals feel about something depends on how they think about it. Unlike psychoanalytic methods that delve into unconscious processes or humanistic approaches emphasizing...
1.4K
01:18Anxiety: Overview
1.3K
Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
1.3K