An Internet-Based Guided Self-Help Intervention for Panic Symptoms: Randomized Controlled Trial
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In: Journal of Medical Internet Research, Vol. 15, No. 7, e154, 29.07.2013.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Transfer › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - An Internet-Based Guided Self-Help Intervention for Panic Symptoms
T2 - Randomized Controlled Trial
AU - Ballegooijen, Walter
AU - Riper, Heleen
AU - Klein, Britt
AU - Ebert, David Daniel
AU - Kramer, Jeannet
AU - Meulenbeek, Peter
AU - Cuijpers, Pim
PY - 2013/7/29
Y1 - 2013/7/29
N2 - Background: Internet-based guided self-help is efficacious for panic disorder, but it is not known whether such treatment is effective for milder panic symptoms as well. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Don't Panic Online, an Internet-based self-help course for mild panic symptoms, which is based on cognitive behavioral principles and includes guidance by email. Methods: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants (N=126) were recruited from the general population and randomized to either the intervention group or to a waiting-list control group. Inclusion criteria were a Panic Disorder Severity Scale-Self Report (PDSS-SR) score between 5-15 and no suicide risk. Panic symptom severity was the primary outcome measure; secondary outcome measures were anxiety and depressive symptom severity. Measurements were conducted online and took place at baseline and 12 weeks after baseline (T1). At baseline, diagnoses were obtained by telephone interviews. Results: Analyses of covariance (intention-to-treat) showed no significant differences in panic symptom reduction between groups. Completers-only analyses revealed a moderate effect size in favor of the intervention group (Cohen's d=0.73, P=.01). Only 27% of the intervention group finished lesson 4 or more (out of 6). Nonresponse at T1 was high for the total sample (42.1%). Diagnostic interviews showed that many participants suffered from comorbid depression and anxiety disorders. Conclusions: The Internet-based guided self-help course appears to be ineffective for individuals with panic symptoms. However, intervention completers did derive clinical benefits from the intervention.
AB - Background: Internet-based guided self-help is efficacious for panic disorder, but it is not known whether such treatment is effective for milder panic symptoms as well. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Don't Panic Online, an Internet-based self-help course for mild panic symptoms, which is based on cognitive behavioral principles and includes guidance by email. Methods: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial was conducted. Participants (N=126) were recruited from the general population and randomized to either the intervention group or to a waiting-list control group. Inclusion criteria were a Panic Disorder Severity Scale-Self Report (PDSS-SR) score between 5-15 and no suicide risk. Panic symptom severity was the primary outcome measure; secondary outcome measures were anxiety and depressive symptom severity. Measurements were conducted online and took place at baseline and 12 weeks after baseline (T1). At baseline, diagnoses were obtained by telephone interviews. Results: Analyses of covariance (intention-to-treat) showed no significant differences in panic symptom reduction between groups. Completers-only analyses revealed a moderate effect size in favor of the intervention group (Cohen's d=0.73, P=.01). Only 27% of the intervention group finished lesson 4 or more (out of 6). Nonresponse at T1 was high for the total sample (42.1%). Diagnostic interviews showed that many participants suffered from comorbid depression and anxiety disorders. Conclusions: The Internet-based guided self-help course appears to be ineffective for individuals with panic symptoms. However, intervention completers did derive clinical benefits from the intervention.
KW - Psychology
KW - Panik
KW - Paniksymptome
KW - Internetbasiert
KW - Anxiety disorders
KW - Internet
KW - Panic disorder
KW - Patient adherence
KW - Self-help
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84883383746&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/b3ef019e-8433-3963-90b4-0c45018ad626/
U2 - 10.2196/jmir.2362
DO - 10.2196/jmir.2362
M3 - Journal articles
C2 - 23896222
VL - 15
JO - Journal of Medical Internet Research
JF - Journal of Medical Internet Research
SN - 1439-4456
IS - 7
M1 - e154
ER -