title: A randomized clinical trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy and applied relaxation for adults with generalized anxiety disorder.
abstract: This randomized clinical trial compared cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), applied relaxation (AR), and wait-list control (WL) in a sample of 65 adults with a primary diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The CBT condition was based on the intolerance of uncertainty model of GAD, whereas the AR condition was based on general theories of anxiety. Both manualized treatments were administered over 12 weekly 1-hour sessions. Standardized clinician ratings and self-report questionnaires were used to assess GAD and related symptoms at pretest, posttest, and at 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-ups. At posttest, CBT was clearly superior to WL, AR was marginally superior to WL, and CBT was marginally superior to AR. Over follow-up, CBT and AR were equivalent, but only CBT led to continued improvement. Thus, direct comparisons of CBT and AR indicated that the treatments were comparable; however, comparisons of each treatment with another point of reference (either waiting list or no change over follow-up) provided greater support for the efficacy of CBT than AR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Michel.Dugas@concordia.ca
authors.forename: Michel J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dugas
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brillon
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Savard
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Turcotte
authors.forename: Adrienne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gaudet
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ladouceur
authors.forename: Renée
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leblanc
authors.forename: Nicole J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Gervais
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012064:Relaxation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D035501:Uncertainty