Comparison of palmtop-computer-assisted brief cognitive-behavioral treatment to cognitive-behavioral treatment for panic disorder.
In the present study, the authors sought to determine whether the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for panic disorder could be improved by adjunctive computer-assisted therapy. Eighteen participants who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., revised; American Psychiatric Association, 1987) criteria for panic disorder were randomly assigned to a 12-session CBT (CBT 12) condition (D. H. Barlow & M. G. Craske, 1989) or to a 4-session computer-assisted CBT (CBT4-CA) condition. Palmtop computers, with a program developed to incorporate basic principles of CBT, were used by CBT4-CA clients whenever they felt anxious or wanted to practice the therapy techniques and were used by all participants as a momentary assessment tool. CBT4-CA clients carried the computer at all times and continued to use it for 8 weeks after termination of therapy. Analyses of clinically significant changes showed superiority of CBT12 at posttest on some measures; however, there were no differences at follow-up.
Newman
M G
MG
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, School of Medicine, Stanford University, USA. MGN1@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
Kenardy
J
J
Herman
S
S
Taylor
C B
CB
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome