151. Quality of life and treatment outcome in panic disorder: cognitive behavior group therapy effects in patients refractory to medication treatment.
- Author
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Heldt E, Blaya C, Isolan L, Kipper L, Teruchkin B, Otto MW, Fleck M, and Manfro GG
- Subjects
- Adult, Agoraphobia drug therapy, Agoraphobia psychology, Agoraphobia therapy, Anxiety drug therapy, Anxiety psychology, Anxiety therapy, Combined Modality Therapy methods, Female, Humans, Male, Panic Disorder drug therapy, Panic Disorder psychology, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Severity of Illness Index, Social Behavior, Treatment Outcome, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy methods, Panic Disorder therapy, Psychotherapy, Group methods, Quality of Life psychology
- Abstract
Background: Improvements in quality of life (QoL) as well as symptomatic relief are important outcomes for the treatment of panic disorder (PD). The aim of this study is to assess the impact of brief cognitive behavior group therapy (CBGT) for panic disorder on QoL and to identify the clinical features associated with these changes., Methods: Thirty-six patients with PD refractory to pharmacological treatment took part in a treatment protocol consisting of 12 sessions of CBGT. To evaluate the changes in QoL, the WHOQOL-bref was administered before and after treatment., Results: Thirty-two patients completed the treatment. Significant improvement in all domains of QoL was observed (p< 0.001), which was associated with reductions in general and anticipatory anxiety (p = 0.018) and agoraphobic avoidance (p = 0.046). Consistent with previous findings, associations between QoL and panic-free status did not reach significance in this small study (p = 0.094)., Conclusions: CBGT was efficacious in the treatment of PD; the symptoms of anticipatory anxiety and avoidance appear to be more important than episodic panic episodes in affecting QoL.
- Published
- 2006
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