Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Anxiety Research Articles

Predictors of treatment outcome for the unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders in children (UP-C)

Various efficacious treatment packages exist for youth anxiety, and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is now considered to be a well-established treatment for child anxiety disorders (Higa-McMillan, Francis, Rith-Najarian, & Chorpita, 2016). Improving outcomes for the significant proportion of anxious youth who demonstrate inadequate response to CBT is imperative, but our understanding of who does and does not benefit is incomplete. Further, there are no known empirical studies of predictors of treatment response for youth who receive a transdiagnostic intervention for anxiety or depression, and it is therefore unclear whether predictors of response to a transdiagnostic treatment for children are similar to those found in previous studies of anxiety-specific treatments. This study investigated potential predictors of outcome following administration of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Children (UP-C; Ehrenreich-May et al., 2018). Participants were 60 children ages 6–13 (M = 9.47, SD = 1.68) with a primary anxiety diagnosis (with or without comorbid depression) who received a 15-week UP-C group treatment. Consistent with prior literature on CBT for anxiety, social anxiety emerged as a consistent predictor of poorer response to the UP-C. Inconsistent with prior literature, depression, symptom severity, parent psychopathology, and child age were not significant predictors of poor outcome. Results indicate some differences between predictors for transdiagnostic versus anxiety-focused treatments, but point to a need for both types of interventions to better target social anxiety in children.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Children With Anxiety and Comorbid Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

To determine whether comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis (including subtype) predicts response to cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) for anxiety in children and to examine change in ADHD symptoms after treatment of primary anxiety. A sample of 842 children 5 to 18 years of age received CBT for a primary anxiety disorder. A subsample of 94 children met criteria for comorbid mild-to-moderate ADHD, mostly consisting of predominantly inattentive (n= 61) and combined (n= 27) subtypes. Outcome was defined as response (change in diagnostic severity) and remission (absence of the primary diagnosis) at each time point (after treatment and 3- and/or 6-month follow-up) and analyzed using linear and logistic mixed models. Neither ADHD diagnosis nor subtype predicted response or remission rates for children's primary anxiety disorders. Children with ADHD also showed modest yet significant improvements in ADHD symptoms after CBT for anxiety. The present findings support the suitability of manual-based group-based CBT for anxiety treatment in children with nonprimary ADHD. Further research should examine whether the positive outcomes reported can be extended to children with primary or severe ADHD.

Negative affect and intolerance of uncertainty as potential mediators of change in comorbid depression in transdiagnostic CBT for anxiety

BackgroundTransdiagnostic group cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety (TGCBT) has demonstrated effectiveness in improving comorbid conditions, including depression. Mediators of change in reductions in comorbid depression have yet to be established following this anxiety-focused treatment. Negative affect (NA) and intolerance of uncertainty (IU) have demonstrated contributions to anxiety reduction in TGCBT, as has positive affect (PA) on depression reductions in other cognitive behavioral treatments. IU is also associated with depression and anxiety as a transdiagnostic vulnerability. This study evaluated the mediational effect of NA, IU, and PA on reduction in comorbid depressive symptoms in TGCBT. We hypothesized the indirect effect of the treatment through IU would be significant even when controlling for indirect effects through NA, PA, anxiety symptoms, and diagnostic severity. MethodData collected as a part of previous clinical trials at a clinic at a large university in the southwestern United States were used. Participants included 61 individuals from a mixed anxiety-disordered sample for whom pre- and post-treatment data were available. Mediation analyses were conducted using ordinary least squares regression in path-analytic form. ResultsThe total effect of the model was significant (F(10, 50) = 8.40, p < .001). When controlling for potential mediators, the direct effect of treatment was not significant (B = -1.01, t = -0.40, p = .688). Analysis of indirect effects revealed significant effects of NA (B = 0.50, SE = 0.17, p = .005, 95%CI [0.02, 0.83]) and IU (B = 0.13, SE = 0.05, p = .010, 95%CI [0.03, 0.23]), but not diagnostic severity (B = 1.39, SE = 0.86, p = .114, 95%CI [-0.35, 3.12]), anxiety symptoms (B = 0.19, SE = 0.12, p = .136, 95%CI [-0.06, 0.44]), or PA (B = -0.25, SE = 0.13, p = .051, 95%CI [-0.51, 0.01] on depression symptoms when modeled with TGCBT). ConclusionThese results suggest IU contributes uniquely to the improvement of comorbid depression in TGCBT above negative affect, an established change process. Implications for treatment and theory are discussed.

Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in Parkinson's disease: Design of a randomised controlled trial to assess clinical effectiveness and changes in cerebral connectivity

BackgroundAnxiety disorders occur in up to 35% of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and have a negative effect on motor symptoms and quality of life. To date, no clinical trials specifically targeting anxiety in PD patients have been published. ObjectiveTo describe the rationale and methodology of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) that aims to study the clinical effectiveness, alterations in brain circuitry, and cost-effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for anxiety in PD. MethodsThis study is a prospective, two-centre RCT in which sixty PD patients with anxiety will be randomised to CBT treatment and clinical monitoring (intervention group) or to clinical monitoring only (control group). The CBT module used in this study was specifically developed to address symptoms of anxiety in PD patients. Participants will undergo standardised clinical, cognitive and behavioural assessment at baseline and at 2 follow-up measurements, as well as resting-state fMRI and DTI scanning before and after the intervention. The primary outcome measure is changes in severity of anxiety symptoms. Secondary outcome measures involve long-term changes in anxiety symptoms, changes in functional and structural connectivity between limbic and frontal cortices, and cost-effectiveness of the treatment. The study is registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov database under registration number NCT02648737. ConclusionThis study is the first that evaluates both the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, as well as the biological impact of CBT for anxiety in PD patients that, if proven effective, will hopefully contribute to a better and evidence-based approach for these non-motor symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and related disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety-related disorders based on randomized placebo-controlled trials. We included 41 studies that randomly assigned patients (N=2,843) with acute stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or social anxiety disorder (SAD) to CBT or a psychological or pill placebo condition. Findings demonstrated moderate placebo-controlled effects of CBT on target disorder symptoms (Hedges' g=0.56), and small to moderate effects on other anxiety symptoms (Hedges' g=0.38), depression (Hedges' g=0.31), and quality of life (Hedges' g=0.30). Response rates in CBT compared to placebo were associated with an odds ratio of 2.97. Effects on the target disorder were significantly stronger for completer samples than intent-to-treat samples, and for individuals compared to group CBT in SAD and PTSD studies. Large effect sizes were found for OCD, GAD, and acute stress disorder, and small to moderate effect sizes were found for PTSD, SAD, and PD. In PTSD studies, dropout rates were greater in CBT (29.0%) compared to placebo (17.2%), but no difference in dropout was found across other disorders. Interventions primarily using exposure strategies had larger effect sizes than those using cognitive or cognitive and behavioral techniques, though this difference did not reach significance. Findings demonstrate that CBT is a moderately efficacious treatment for anxiety disorders when compared to placebo. More effective treatments are especially needed for PTSD, SAD, and PD.

The Relationship Between Treatment Acceptability and Youth Outcome in Group CBT for Youth with ASD and Anxiety

Anxiety is one of the most common co-occurring diagnoses in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment that has been tailored for youth with ASD and anxiety and has shown good efficacy in reducing youth anxiety immediately after treatment. One area that has not been widely studied is acceptability of CBT for anxiety in this population. Acceptability includes beliefs about the potential helpfulness and satisfaction with a given treatment and may be important in understanding treatment outcomes. This study focuses on parent, youth, and clinician acceptability of a well-researched CBT program, Facing Your Fears, for youth with ASD and anxiety. Data was collected as part of a larger multi-site study that compared three different instructional conditions for clinicians learning the intervention. Results indicated that parents rated acceptability as higher for the overall treatment compared to youth. Further, youth and parents rated exposure related sessions as more acceptable than psychoeducation, and higher exposure acceptability ratings were predictive of lower youth anxiety levels post-treatment. Clinicians who received ongoing consultation rated treatment acceptability lower than clinicians in the other training conditions. While some clinicians may be hesitant to implement exposure techniques with this population, findings suggest that it is the technique that parents and youth rated as the most acceptable. Results are discussed in terms of treatment and research implications for youth with ASD and their families.

Development of an integrated cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and opioid use disorder: Study protocol and methods

Opioid use disorder is a highly disabling psychiatric disorder, and is associated with both significant functional disruption and risk for negative health outcomes such as infectious disease and fatal overdose. Even among those who receive evidence-based pharmacotherapy for opioid use disorder, many drop out of treatment or relapse, highlighting the importance of novel treatment strategies for this population. Over 60% of those with opioid use disorder also meet diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder; however, efficacious treatments for this common co-occurrence have not be established. This manuscript describes the rationale and methods for a behavioral treatment development study designed to develop and test an integrated cognitive-behavioral therapy for those with co-occurring opioid use disorder and anxiety disorders. The aims of the study are (1) to develop and pilot test a new manualized cognitive behavioral therapy for co-occurring opioid use disorder and anxiety disorders, (2) to test the efficacy of this treatment relative to an active comparison treatment that targets opioid use disorder alone, and (3) to investigate the role of stress reactivity in both prognosis and recovery from opioid use disorder and anxiety disorders. Our overarching aim is to investigate whether this new treatment improves both anxiety and opioid use disorder outcomes relative to standard treatment. Identifying optimal treatment strategies for this population are needed to improve outcomes among those with this highly disabling and life-threatening disorder.

Quality of Life Outcomes Following Transdiagnostic Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety

Individuals with anxiety disorders experience decrements in quality of life (QoL), though it is seldom assessed as an outcome in treatment studies. This study examined QoL as an outcome following transdiagnostic group cognitive-behavioral therapy (TGCBT) for anxiety. Treatment-seeking adults (N = 129; Mage = 33.1; 47.4% female) with social phobia, panic disorder, and/or generalized anxiety disorder rated their QoL by self-report before and after participating in TGCBT. Using general linear modeling, QoL was found to be similar across diagnostic groups both prior to and following treatment, with the exception that individuals diagnosed with social phobia scored significantly lower than the others in social functioning–related QoL following treatment. Otherwise, these groups improved similarly in overall QoL and achievement-, social functioning-, and personal growth-related QoL following 12 weeks of TGCBT. Thus, QoL significantly improves following transdiagnostic group treatment and represents a valuable o...

Child and Adolescent Adherence With Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety: Predictors and Associations With Outcomes

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders is effective, but nonadherence with treatment may reduce the benefits of CBT. This study examined (a) four baseline domains (i.e., demographic, youth clinical characteristics, therapy related, family/parent factors) as predictors of youth adherence with treatment and (b) the associations between youth adherence and treatment outcomes. Data were from 279 youth (7–17 years of age, 51.6% female; 79.6% White, 9% African American), with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.) diagnoses of separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and/or social phobia, who participated in CBT in the Child/Adolescent Anxiety Multimodal Study. Adherence was defined in three ways (session attendance, therapist-rated compliance, and homework completion). Multiple regressions revealed several significant predictors of youth adherence with CBT, but predictors varied according to the definition of adherence. The most robust predictors of greater adherence were living with both parents and fewer youth comorbid externalizing disorders. With respect to outcomes, therapist ratings of higher youth compliance with CBT predicted several indices of favorable outcome: lower anxiety severity, higher global functioning, and treatment responder status after 12 weeks of CBT. Number of sessions attended and homework completion did not predict treatment outcomes. Findings provide information about risks for youth nonadherence, which can inform treatment and highlight the importance of youth compliance with participating in therapy activities, rather than just attending sessions or completing homework assignments.

Improving perceptions of cognitive-behavioral therapy with brief website exposure: Does neuroscientific allure impact attitudes?

Background and objectivesThe current study aimed to determine whether brief exposure to a webpage about cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for the anxiety disorders improved knowledge and perceptions of this treatment. Further, this study tested whether participants were uniquely compelled by CBT if the mechanism of change cited neurological processes. MethodParticipants (N = 389) recruited online viewed a webpage screenshot that described CBT for anxiety. Participants were randomized to view a version of the webpage which either described the mechanism of change as: 1) psychological, 2) neurological, 3) combination of neurological and psychological, or 4) no mechanism described. Participants completed measures of knowledge and perception of CBT before and after viewing the webpage. Credibility ratings and symptoms were assessed after viewing the webpage. ResultsKnowledge of CBT was limited and perceptions were largely neutral to somewhat positive at baseline. Both knowledge and perceptions of CBT meaningfully improved after viewing the webpage. Mechanism of change did not impact perceptions of CBT or its credibility, though in the neurological and combination conditions there was less improvement in knowledge than in the psychological or control conditions. Greater symptoms of anxiety were associated with slightly less improvement in knowledge and perceptions. LimitationsThe study did not include long-term follow up, so the durability of the effects is unknown. Further, sample homogeneity undermines broad generalizability. ConclusionsThere is significant room and capacity to improve lay-people's knowledge and perceptions of CBT. Neurological explanations did not appear to uniquely promote the perception of CBT or its credibility.

What good are positive emotions for treatment? Trait positive emotionality predicts response to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for anxiety

ObjectiveCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is empirically supported for the treatment of anxiety disorders; however, not all individuals achieve recovery following CBT. Positive emotions serve a number of functions that theoretically should facilitate response to CBT – they promote flexible patterns of information processing and assimilation of new information, encourage approach-oriented behavior, and speed physiological recovery from negative emotions. We conducted a secondary analysis of an existing clinical trial dataset to test the a priori hypothesis that individual differences in trait positive emotions would predict CBT response for anxiety. MethodParticipants meeting diagnostic criteria for panic disorder (n = 28) or generalized anxiety disorder (n = 31) completed 10 weekly individual CBT sessions. Trait positive emotionality was assessed at pre-treatment, and severity of anxiety symptoms and associated impairment was assessed throughout treatment. ResultsParticipants who reported a greater propensity to experience positive emotions at pre-treatment displayed the largest reduction in anxiety symptoms as well as fewer symptoms following treatment. Positive emotions remained a robust predictor of change in symptoms when controlling for baseline depression severity. ConclusionsInitial evidence supports the predictive value of trait positive emotions as a prognostic indicator for CBT outcome in a GAD and PD sample.

Mediators of Treatment Outcomes for Anxious Children and Adolescents: The Role of Somatic Symptoms

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are effective treatments for pediatric anxiety disorders. However, the mechanisms of these treatments are unknown. Previous research indicated that somatic symptoms are reduced following treatment, but it is unclear if their reductions are merely a consequence of treatment gains. This study examined reductions in somatic symptoms as a potential mediator of the relationship between treatment and anxiety outcomes. Participants were 488 anxious youth ages 7–17 (M = 10.7), 50.4% male, 78.9% Caucasian, enrolled in Child/Adolescent Anxiety Multimodal Study, a large randomized control trial comparing 12-week treatments of CBT, sertraline, a combination of CBT and sertraline, and a pill placebo. Causal mediation models were tested in R using data from baseline, 8-, and 12-week evaluations. Somatic symptoms were assessed using the Panic/Somatic subscale from the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders. Youth outcomes were assessed using the Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale and Children’s Global Assessment Scale. Reductions in somatic symptoms mediated improvement in anxiety symptoms and global functioning for those in the sertraline-only condition based on parent report. Conditions involving CBT and data based on child reported somatic symptoms did not show a mediation effect. Findings indicate that reductions in somatic symptoms may be a mediator of improvements for treatments including pharmacotherapy and not CBT. Although the overall efficacy of sertraline and CBT for anxiety may be similar, the treatments appear to function via different mechanisms.

D-Cycloserine Augmentation of Exposure-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorders

Whether and under which conditions D-cycloserine (DCS) augments the effects of exposure-based cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and posttraumatic stress disorders is unclear. To clarify whether DCS is superior to placebo in augmenting the effects of cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and posttraumatic stress disorders and to evaluate whether antidepressants interact with DCS and the effect of potential moderating variables. PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were searched from inception to February 10, 2016. Reference lists of previous reviews and meta-analyses and reports of randomized clinical trials were also checked. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were (1) double-blind randomized clinical trials of DCS as an augmentation strategy for exposure-based cognitive behavior therapy and (2) conducted in humans diagnosed as having specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder. Raw data were obtained from the authors and quality controlled. Data were ranked to ensure a consistent metric across studies (score range, 0-100). We used a 3-level multilevel model nesting repeated measures of outcomes within participants, who were nested within studies. Individual participant data were obtained for 21 of 22 eligible trials, representing 1047 of 1073 eligible participants. When controlling for antidepressant use, participants receiving DCS showed greater improvement from pretreatment to posttreatment (mean difference, -3.62; 95% CI, -0.81 to -6.43; P = .01; d = -0.25) but not from pretreatment to midtreatment (mean difference, -1.66; 95% CI, -4.92 to 1.60; P = .32; d = -0.14) or from pretreatment to follow-up (mean difference, -2.98, 95% CI, -5.99 to 0.03; P = .05; d = -0.19). Additional analyses showed that participants assigned to DCS were associated with lower symptom severity than those assigned to placebo at posttreatment and at follow-up. Antidepressants did not moderate the effects of DCS. None of the prespecified patient-level or study-level moderators was associated with outcomes. D-cycloserine is associated with a small augmentation effect on exposure-based therapy. This effect is not moderated by the concurrent use of antidepressants. Further research is needed to identify patient and/or therapy characteristics associated with DCS response.

Development and pilot test of integrated cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and opioid use disorder

Development and pilot test of integrated cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and opioid use disorder

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Older Adults With Anxiety and Cognitive Impairment: Adaptations and Illustrative Case Study.

Anxiety is a prevalent condition in older adults with neurocognitive disorders such as dementia. Interventions based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) appear to be an emerging area of treatment innovation for treating anxiety in older adults with cognitive impairment. Drawing on the empirical literature on CBT for late-life anxiety and recent trials of CBT for anxiety in persons with mild-to-moderate dementia, this article provides an overview of the customization of CBT to the needs of older adults with anxiety and cognitive impairment. Adaptations for assessment, case conceptualization, socialization, therapeutic alliance, and treatment strategies are discussed. A case study to illustrate implementation of these adaptations is presented. Limitations to the current state of the literature on the efficacy and feasibility of CBT for anxiety in older adults with cognitive impairment are identified, and future directions for treatment research are proposed.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Cognitively Intact Older Adults.

This article discusses potential adaptations to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) needed when working with older adults. Although CBT has been demonstrated to be efficacious in older anxious populations in meta-analyses, more research is needed to better understand the efficacy of CBT for the individual anxiety disorders, for older adults aged 80 years and older, and the efficacy of individual CBT elements. Despite normal age-related reductions in cognitive and physical abilities, most research suggests that only minor adaptations to CBT, if any, are needed for older adults. More significant adaptations relate to therapist attitudes and beliefs rather than the pragmatic CBT delivery, for example, negative attitudes related to aging and the likely benefit of CBT. Despite normal age-related declines in some cognitive domains, research to date suggests that normal cognitive changes do not significantly impact on treatment outcomes over the course of CBT; a case example is presented.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety and Fear in Pediatric Pain Contexts

Pain is a highly prevalent experience in pediatric medical populations, both in an acute form (e.g., iatrogenic pain from needle procedures) as well as in more chronic forms (e.g., as a result of arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, or as a disease/disorder in and of itself). Guided by the biopsychosocial model, the overarching objective of this work is to examine cognitive behavioral treatment of anxiety in pain contexts. Specific aims are to (a) provide a brief overview of anxiety in youth with a high fear of needles and those experiencing chronic pain, (b) review the evidence base for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for these populations, (c) outline considerations for implementing CBT-based approaches, and (d) provide two case examples which illustrate the application of CBT in these contexts. Brief concluding remarks include suggestions for future research such as improved screening and treatment of comorbid anxiety in the context of pain.

Implementing and Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Across the Life Span: Introduction to the Special Issue.

Implementing and Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Across the Life Span: Introduction to the Special Issue.

Low pre-treatment end-tidal CO2 predicts dropout from cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety and related disorders

Recent clinical trial research suggests that baseline low end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2, the biological marker of hyperventilation) may predict poorer response to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety-related disorders. The present study examined the predictive value of baseline ETCO2 among patients treated for such disorders in a naturalistic clinical setting. Sixty-nine adults with a primary diagnosis of a DSM-5 anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder completed a 4-min assessment of resting ETCO2, and respiration rate (the first minute was analyzed). Lower ETCO2 was not associated with a diagnosis of panic disorder, and was associated with lower subjective distress ratings on certain measures. Baseline ETCO2 significantly predicted treatment dropout: those meeting cutoff criteria for hypocapnia were more than twice as likely to drop out of treatment, and ETCO2 significantly predicted dropout beyond other pre-treatment variables. Weekly measurement suggested that the lower-ETCO2 patients who dropped out were not responding well to treatment prior to dropout. The present results, along with previous clinical trial data, suggest that lower pre-treatment ETCO2 is a negative prognostic indicator for CBT for anxiety-related disorders. It is suggested that patients with lower ETCO2 might benefit from additional intervention that targets respiratory abnormality.

Neural markers of attention to aversive pictures predict response to cognitive behavioral therapy in anxiety and depression

Excessive attention toward aversive information may be a core mechanism underlying emotional disorders, but little is known about whether this is predictive of response to treatments. We evaluated whether enhanced attention toward aversive stimuli, as indexed by an event-related potential component, the late positive potential (LPP), would predict response to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in patients with social anxiety disorder and/or major depressive disorder. Thirty-two patients receiving 12 weeks of CBT responded to briefly-presented pairs of aversive and neutral pictures that served as targets or distracters while electroencephaolography was recorded. Patients with larger pre-treatment LPPs to aversive relative to neutral distracters (when targets were aversive) were more likely to respond to CBT, and demonstrated larger reductions in symptoms of depression and anxiety following treatment. Increased attention toward irrelevant aversive stimuli may signal attenuated top-down control, so treatments like CBT that improve this control could be beneficial for these individuals.