Early intervention in panic: pragmatic randomised controlled trial

P. Meulenbeek; G. Willemsen; H.F.E. Smit; A.J.L.M. van Balkom; P. Cuijpers; P. Spinhoven

doi:https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.109.072504

Early intervention in panic: pragmatic randomised controlled trial

P. Meulenbeek, G. Willemsen, H.F.E. Smit, A.J.L.M. van Balkom, P. Cuijpers, P. Spinhoven

Psychiatry (VUmc)

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

27 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background
Many people suffer from subthreshold and mild panic
disorder and are at risk of developing more severe panic
disorder.
Aims
This study (trial registration: ISRCTN33407455) was conducted
to evaluate the effectiveness of an early group intervention
based on cognitive–behavioural principles to reduce panic
disorder symptomatology.
Method
Participants with subthreshold or mild panic disorder were
recruited from the general population and randomised to the
intervention (n = 109) or a waiting-list control group (n = 108).
The course was offered by 17 community mental health
centres.
Results
In the early intervention group, 43/109 (39%) participants
presented with a clinically significant change on the Panic
Disorder Severity Scale–Self Report (PDSS–SR) v. 17/108 (16%)
in the control group (odds ratio (OR) for favourable treatment
response 3.49, 95% CI 1.77–6.88, P = 0.001). The course also
had a positive effect on DSM–IV panic disorder status
(OR = 1.96, 95% CI=1.05–3.66, P = 0.037). The PDSS–SR
symptom reduction was also substantial (between-group
standardised mean difference of 0.68). The effects were
maintained at 6-month follow-up.
Conclusions
People presenting with subthreshold and mild panic disorder
benefit from this brief intervention.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	326-331
Journal	British journal of psychiatry
Volume	196
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.109.072504
Publication status	Published - 2010

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.109.072504

http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/reprint/196/4/326?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=spinhoven&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT

Cite this

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title = "Early intervention in panic: pragmatic randomised controlled trial",

abstract = "BackgroundMany people suffer from subthreshold and mild panicdisorder and are at risk of developing more severe panicdisorder.AimsThis study (trial registration: ISRCTN33407455) was conductedto evaluate the effectiveness of an early group interventionbased on cognitive–behavioural principles to reduce panicdisorder symptomatology.MethodParticipants with subthreshold or mild panic disorder wererecruited from the general population and randomised to theintervention (n = 109) or a waiting-list control group (n = 108).The course was offered by 17 community mental healthcentres.ResultsIn the early intervention group, 43/109 (39%) participantspresented with a clinically significant change on the PanicDisorder Severity Scale–Self Report (PDSS–SR) v. 17/108 (16%)in the control group (odds ratio (OR) for favourable treatmentresponse 3.49, 95% CI 1.77–6.88, P = 0.001). The course alsohad a positive effect on DSM–IV panic disorder status(OR = 1.96, 95% CI=1.05–3.66, P = 0.037). The PDSS–SRsymptom reduction was also substantial (between-groupstandardised mean difference of 0.68). The effects weremaintained at 6-month follow-up.ConclusionsPeople presenting with subthreshold and mild panic disorderbenefit from this brief intervention.",

author = "P. Meulenbeek and G. Willemsen and H.F.E. Smit and {van Balkom}, A.J.L.M. and P. Cuijpers and P. Spinhoven",

year = "2010",

doi = "https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.109.072504",

language = "English",

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pages = "326--331",

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T1 - Early intervention in panic: pragmatic randomised controlled trial

AU - Meulenbeek, P.

AU - Willemsen, G.

AU - Smit, H.F.E.

AU - van Balkom, A.J.L.M.

AU - Cuijpers, P.

AU - Spinhoven, P.

PY - 2010

Y1 - 2010

N2 - BackgroundMany people suffer from subthreshold and mild panicdisorder and are at risk of developing more severe panicdisorder.AimsThis study (trial registration: ISRCTN33407455) was conductedto evaluate the effectiveness of an early group interventionbased on cognitive–behavioural principles to reduce panicdisorder symptomatology.MethodParticipants with subthreshold or mild panic disorder wererecruited from the general population and randomised to theintervention (n = 109) or a waiting-list control group (n = 108).The course was offered by 17 community mental healthcentres.ResultsIn the early intervention group, 43/109 (39%) participantspresented with a clinically significant change on the PanicDisorder Severity Scale–Self Report (PDSS–SR) v. 17/108 (16%)in the control group (odds ratio (OR) for favourable treatmentresponse 3.49, 95% CI 1.77–6.88, P = 0.001). The course alsohad a positive effect on DSM–IV panic disorder status(OR = 1.96, 95% CI=1.05–3.66, P = 0.037). The PDSS–SRsymptom reduction was also substantial (between-groupstandardised mean difference of 0.68). The effects weremaintained at 6-month follow-up.ConclusionsPeople presenting with subthreshold and mild panic disorderbenefit from this brief intervention.

AB - BackgroundMany people suffer from subthreshold and mild panicdisorder and are at risk of developing more severe panicdisorder.AimsThis study (trial registration: ISRCTN33407455) was conductedto evaluate the effectiveness of an early group interventionbased on cognitive–behavioural principles to reduce panicdisorder symptomatology.MethodParticipants with subthreshold or mild panic disorder wererecruited from the general population and randomised to theintervention (n = 109) or a waiting-list control group (n = 108).The course was offered by 17 community mental healthcentres.ResultsIn the early intervention group, 43/109 (39%) participantspresented with a clinically significant change on the PanicDisorder Severity Scale–Self Report (PDSS–SR) v. 17/108 (16%)in the control group (odds ratio (OR) for favourable treatmentresponse 3.49, 95% CI 1.77–6.88, P = 0.001). The course alsohad a positive effect on DSM–IV panic disorder status(OR = 1.96, 95% CI=1.05–3.66, P = 0.037). The PDSS–SRsymptom reduction was also substantial (between-groupstandardised mean difference of 0.68). The effects weremaintained at 6-month follow-up.ConclusionsPeople presenting with subthreshold and mild panic disorderbenefit from this brief intervention.

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DO - https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.109.072504

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