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Reducing behavioral avoidance with internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy for generalized anxiety disorder
Alison E J Mahoney1, Jill M Newby1,2, Megan J Hobbs1
1Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, University of New South Wales at St. Vincent's Hospital, Level 4 O'Brien Centre, 394-404 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia.
Internet Interventions
|February 23, 2019
Summary
Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy (iCBT) significantly reduced maladaptive behaviors, anxiety, and depression in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) patients. Declines in these behaviors predicted better GAD symptom outcomes post-treatment.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Maladaptive behaviors are linked to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) but their change during treatment is understudied.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for refining cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for GAD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine changes in maladaptive behaviors, GAD, depression, and disability during internet-based CBT (iCBT) for GAD.
- To determine if changes in maladaptive behaviors predict treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Two large clinical samples (N=206 and N=298) with GAD received iCBT.
- Assessments of maladaptive behaviors (WBI), GAD (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), and disability (WHODAS-II) were conducted pre- and post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Significant reductions were observed in maladaptive behaviors, GAD and depression severity, and disability post-iCBT.
- Reductions in maladaptive behaviors were significant predictors of lower post-treatment GAD symptom severity, controlling for other factors.
Conclusions:
- Maladaptive behaviors are important in GAD and their reduction is a viable treatment target.
- Further research is needed to explore the causal links between maladaptive behaviors and GAD outcomes.
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