Effectiveness of focused CBT for panic disorder.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluating the effectiveness of a focused CBT training for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.
IRAS ID
333071
Contact name
Saarim Aslam
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research & Development, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN11268881
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 14 days
Research summary
Background: There is a need to improve the recovery rates for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia in NHS Talking Therapies (NHSTT) locally. Research has shown training therapists in brief cognitive therapy to help people with panic disorder disconfirm and modify catastrophic misinterpretations (perceiving an increase in heart rate as a heart attack) and reducing safety seeking behaviours (SSBs) which are behaviours designed to avoid, prevent or escape the catastrophe (such as asking for help or keeping still when thinking a heart attack is about to occur) to be effective in reducing panic symptoms. Brief cognitive therapy also involved self-help modules given before each session for patients to complete.
Questions it will answer: (1) Is there a difference in the clinical outcome of panic between individuals with panic disorder who receive a focused CBT intervention from trained Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) compared to those who receive current NHSTT treatment at Step 2? (2) If any difference occurs between those who receive focused CBT treatment compared to those who do not, what mechanisms could underlie this difference?
Why is it important?: It may help improve recovery rates in NHSTT locally and improve psychological treatment for panic disorder. It may help differentiate between SSBs and Approach Supporting Behaviours (behaviours designed to help one confront their fears).
Design: Randomised Control Trial (psychological wellbeing practitioners and participants will be randomised)
What is involved?: PWPs will be randomised to either providing focused CBT training or providing treatment as usual to people with panic disorder. Those in focused CBT will receive training on how to deliver this. Participants (people with panic disorder as primary difficulty) will be randomly allocated to one treatment condition, have treatment sessions with PWPs and undergo pre and post assessments to monitor changes.
No funding is required.
Recruitment: Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SW/0151
Date of REC Opinion
20 Dec 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion