The data suggest that CBT is not only efficacious in terms of symptom reduction but also efficient in terms of reducing inappropriate medication intake and improving occupational functioning.
Effectiveness of the Cognitive Behavior Therapy in the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorders – Results of the Berlin GAD-KVT-Study Background: In recent years generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) have become a focus of clinical research. There is some empirical evidence that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment. But the available studies have some shortcomings which do not allow generalizations to treatment under routine conditions. Method: In a multicenter controlled clinical trial supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, efficacy of manual-guided CBT was studied in cooperation with behavior therapists who work in private practice. The design and methodology of the study adhere to the same rules as are valid in pharmacotherapy trials. Patients treated with CBT (TA) were compared with those of a waiting contact group (KKG). Because the control group patients were also treated with CBT after the waiting period (TB), a validation of treatment results has been possible. 72 outpatients (age 18–65 years, HAM-A ≧ 18, GAD according to DSM-IV, no co-morbid axis-I or axis-II disorders, no co-medication) were included and randomized into the study arms. Results: In TA HAM-A showed a reduction pre-post of 10.64 (39.6%) and STAI state of 7.96 (15.1%). In TB (those patients with delayed start of therapy) the reduction in the HAM-A was 12.08 (56.9%) and in the STAI state 6.62 (13.5%). In KKG the reduction was 1.22 (5.3%) in the HAM-A and 1.63 (3.2%) in the STAI state. Differences between TA or TB and KKG were statistically highly significant. Conclusion: The data show that manual-guided CBT is effective in GAD. Results are statistically significant and clinically meaningful. The study also shows that multicenter trials are also feasible in psychotherapy research.
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