title: An investigation into the effectiveness of bibliotherapy and minimal contact interventions in the treatment of panic attacks.
abstract: The present study investigated the effectiveness of bibliotherapy and minimal therapist-contact interventions in the treatment of panic attacks. Individuals were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: (1) bibliotherapy alone (BT); (2) bibliotherapy plus phone contact (BT+PC); or (3) phone contact alone (PC). Assessment (pre- and post-treatment) and treatment (8 weeks in duration) were conducted via mail and phone. Individuals receiving BT and BT+PC exhibited significant reductions from pre- to post-treatment on panic cognitions and fear of having a panic attack. Individuals receiving BT+PC exhibited significant reductions from pre- to post-treatment on panic symptoms and avoidance. In addition, individuals in the BT and BT+PC groups were more likely to exhibit clinically significant improvement on most dependent measures relative to PC alone. On some measures, individuals in the BT+PC group did clinically better than individuals in the BT group. Results of the present study also suggest that diagnosis may play some role in outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Drake University, Des Moines, IA 50311-4505, USA. greg.febbraro@drake.edu
authors.forename: Greg A R
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Febbraro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001638:Bibliotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States