What Is The Best Strategy For Overcoming Constant Worries?
- Date:
- April 9, 2009
- Source:
- Journal of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics
- Summary:
- A study conducted by a group of German investigators examined whether worry exposure (WE) alone is as efficacious as the empirically supported stand-alone treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), applied relaxation (AR). Both AR and WE seem to represent effective principles of change in GAD. The treatment effects were stable at 6 month and 1 year follow-up.
- Share:
A group of German investigators has published a randomized controlled trial on how to overcome constant worries in the current issue of Psyhotherapy and Psychosomatics.
Worry exposure (WE) is a core element of cognitive-behavioral treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Its efficacy as a stand-alone treatment method (without further cognitive-behavioral therapy interventions) has never been tested.
This study examined whether WE alone is as efficacious as the empirically supported stand-alone treatment for GAD, applied relaxation (AR). In a randomized controlled study, 73 outpatients meeting DSM-IV criteria for GAD as primary diagnosis were allocated to either WE or AR or a waiting list control group; in a 2nd randomization procedure the waiting list subjects were reallocated to WE or AR.
The treatment was manualized (15 sessions with WE or AR), included 6-month and 1-year follow-ups, as well as last observation carried forward and completer analyses, and was controlled for allegiance effects.The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Scale were used as primary outcome measures. Self-report scales of anxiety, worrying and depression including negative metacognition about worrying and thought suppression served as secondary outcome measures.
The dropout rate was moderate. The pre-/posttreatment effects were high for the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (standardized mean difference >1) and for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (standardized mean difference >0.87). The proportion of patients reaching high end state functioning was 48% (WE) and 56% (AR). WE and AR did not differ with regard to dropout rate or treatment effects. The treatment effects were stable at 6 month and 1 year follow-up.
This is the first study to show that a stand-alone exposure in sensu technique - WE - is efficacious in the treatment of GAD. Both AR and WE seem to represent effective principles of change in GAD.
Story Source:
Materials provided by Journal of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Hoyer, J.; Beesdo, K.; Gloster, A.T.; Runge, J.; Höfler, M.; Becker, E.S. Worry Exposure versus Applied Relaxation in the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Psyhotherapy and Psychosomatics, 2009; 78: 106-115 DOI: 10.1159/000201936
Cite This Page: