Brief cognitive-behavioral phone-based intervention targeting anxiety about the threat of attack: a pilot study.
A brief, cognitive-behavioral, phone-based intervention was employed with an Israeli sample experiencing anticipatory anxiety about potential war-related attacks. In this quasi-experimental controlled pilot study, the cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention (diaphragmatic breathing and a modified cognitive-restructuring technique) was compared with the standard hotline care administered when worried citizens called a mental health emergency hotline in Israel. Individuals (n=32) were administered anxiety and worry measures pre-intervention, post-intervention, and three days post-intervention. The results indicated that anxiety levels decreased for the experimental and control group immediately post-intervention; however, three days later, the levels of anxiety in the CBT group continued to decline, while anxiety levels in the control group reached pre-intervention levels on two of the three outcome measures. These results suggest that CBT can be effectively delivered by paraprofessionals over the phone, which is cost-effective and efficient. Limitations are considered, and implications for treating individuals coping with the threat of terrorism are discussed.
Somer
Eli
E
Maytal-Israel Institute for Treatment and Study of Stress, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel. somer@research.haifa.ac.il
Tamir
Eitan
E
Maguen
Shira
S
Litz
Brett T
BT
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007557:Israel; D010865:Pilot Projects; D023481:Terrorism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014857:Warfare