Outcomes of Group Cognitive Behavioral Training in the Treatment of Panic Disorder And Agoraphobia

BACKGROUND: Several investigators have demonstrated the efficacy of group cognitive behavioral treatment for panic disorder and agoraphobia. However, no information on nurse-facilitated, short-term, outpatient cognitive behavioral treatment training programs was found in the literature. OBJECTIVES: This study examined differences in the severity of symptoms before and after participation in a 6-week training program for clients with panic disorder and agoraphobia. This article describes the cognitive behavioral techniques used in the Comprehensive Anxiety Management Program. DESIGN: Forty consecutive treatment-seeking subjects completed the Symptom Check List-90-Revised and the Weekly Ratings Scale before and afler participation in the training program. Dependent variables included intensity of panic symptoms, phobic avoidance, generalized anxiety, and depression. RESULTS: Significant differences between baseline and endpoint means scores of the group participants were found. No significant differences in progress were noted between subjects who were taking medication and those who were not, nor did a concurrent diagnosis of depression or another anxiety disorder contribute to differ ent outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that brief, nurse-facilitated group training in cog nitive behavioral treatment can significantly reduce symptoms of panic disorder and agoraphobia. Further research is needed to determine which components of the train ing program were primarily responsible for the observed outcomes. (J AM PSYCHIATR NURSES Assoc [1995], 1, 83-91)