Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2025
06:28
E-Patient Counseling Trial E-PACO: Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
8.2K
Evaluation of an Online-Based Self-Help Program for Patients With Panic Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial
Christopher Lalk1, Teresa Väth1, Sofie Hanraths1
1Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy of Adulthood, Institute of Psychology, University Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|April 2, 2025
Summary
This online cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) program effectively reduced panic disorder and agoraphobia symptoms. While well-being did not improve, the intervention also lowered anxiety and depression in participants.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Digital Health
Background:
- Panic disorder and agoraphobia are debilitating anxiety disorders impacting well-being.
- Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) offers a scalable treatment option.
- iCBT can potentially overcome barriers to traditional mental health treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel online self-help intervention for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.
- Primary hypotheses focused on improving panic, agoraphobia symptoms, and overall well-being.
- Secondary hypotheses aimed to assess improvements in daily functioning, mental health literacy, work ability, and healthcare utilization.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 156 German-speaking adults (18-65 years) diagnosed with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.
- The intervention group (n=82) received a 12-week online program including psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, exposure, and mindfulness.
- The control group (n=72) received usual care, with the option to access the program post-study. Primary outcomes measured by the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale (PAS) and WHO-5 Well-Being Index.
Main Results:
- Participants completed an average of 7.3 out of 12 modules (60.8%); 32.1% finished the entire course.
- The intervention group showed a significant reduction in PAS scores (P=.03) with a small to moderate effect size (d=-0.37).
- Significant improvements were noted in anxiety (P<.001, d=-0.60) and depression (P<.001, d=-0.41), but not in WHO-5 well-being or secondary outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The online intervention effectively reduced core symptoms of panic disorder and agoraphobia, alongside anxiety and depression.
- No significant effects were observed on well-being or secondary outcomes, potentially influenced by illness burden and the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Further research and intervention adaptations are recommended to enhance outcomes for well-being and other secondary measures.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Panic Disorder
23
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...
23
01:54The Placebo Effect
6.1K
The placebo effect occurs when people's expectations or beliefs influence or determine their experience in a given situation. In other words, simply expecting something to happen can actually make it happen.
6.1K
01:22Behavior Therapy
36
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...
36
01:28Self-Help Support Groups
22
Self-help support groups are voluntary, community-based organizations that provide a platform for individuals with shared concerns to exchange support, insights, and practical strategies for coping with life challenges. Typically led by group members or paraprofessionals, these groups form a cornerstone of mental health care, especially in reaching populations that are underserved by traditional healthcare systems.
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
Accessibility and Cost-Effectiveness
One of the primary strengths of self-help...
22
02:07Blind Procedures
10.6K
Ideally, the people who observe and record the children’s behavior are unaware of who was assigned to the experimental or control group, in order to control for experimenter bias. Experimenter bias refers to the possibility that a researcher’s expectations might skew the results of the study. Remember, conducting an experiment requires a lot of planning, and the people involved in the research project have a vested interest in supporting their hypotheses. If the observers knew which...
10.6K