Researchers from St. Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, Australia, measured the efficacy of an internet-based, clinician-assisted, cognitive behavioral treatment program (The Panic Program) for panic disorder (with agoraphobia) as compared to waitlist controls…
Fifty-nine individuals suffering from panic disorder with agoraphobia were randomly assigned to a treatment group or to a waitlist control group. Treatment group participants completed the Panic program, comprising of six on-line lessons, weekly homework assignments, weekly email contact from a psychiatry registrar, and contributed to a moderated online discussion forum with other participants.
Twenty-three (79%) of the treatment group participants completed all
lessons within the 8-week program, and post-treatment data were
collected from 22/29 treatment group and 22/25 waitlist group
participants. Compared to the control group, treatment group
participants reported significantly reduced symptoms of panic as
measured by the Panic Disorder Severity Scale, Body Sensation
Questionnaire, and Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaires.
Significant reductions were also reported on measures of disability and depression. The mean within- and between-group effect size (Cohen's d) on the Panic Disorder Severity Scale was 0.93 and 0.59, respectively, and effects were sustained at the 1-month follow-up. Mean therapist time per participant was 75 minutes for the program.
These results replicate those from the open trial of the Panic Program indicating the efficacy of the Internet-based clinician-assisted cognitive behavioral treatment program for panic disorder with agoraphobia.
... written by Peter Strong, PhD,
November 17, 2010
As an Online Mindfulness-based Therapist I can thoroughly recommend online counseling, especially if it is a cognitive-based approach which works with the underlying structure of anxiety and panic disorders. I have had great success with panic anxiety and it may be that this particular population responds particularly well to the online Skype video format. Boulder Center for Mindfulness Therapy www.mindfulnessmeditationtherapy.com
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Boulder Center for Mindfulness Therapy
www.mindfulnessmeditationtherapy.com