Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Transportability of Panic Control Treatment in a Private Practice Setting: Acute and Long Term Effects

Abstract

Effectiveness studies have demonstrated the transportability of panic control treatment (PCT) to a variety of settings. The present study examined the acute and long-term effects of PCT in a private practice setting and explored correlates of treatment outcome. Participants (69% female, mean age = 34.8, SD = 8.8 years) were 100 consecutive private practice referrals who entered treatment for panic disorder. Using intent-to-treat analyses, 72% of patients were panic-free and 44% of patients achieved high end state functioning (HESF) at posttreatment. At 1-year follow-up, 75% of patients were panic-free and 55% of patients achieved HESF. Lower levels of agoraphobic avoidance when accompanied (MI-ACM), less misinterpretation of bodily sensations, and less frequent panic attacks at pretreatment were the strongest predictors of treatment outcome at follow-up. Pre-posttreatment changes in trait anxiety were most strongly associated with treatment response. Results support PCT as an effective, durable treatment and add to the body of evidence supporting the generalizability of PCT from research to real-world service settings.