Utility of measuring remoralization in addition to symptoms in efficacy research: a preliminary study.
Remoralization as an outcome measure for psychological treatments was compared with symptom reduction (agoraphobic avoidance and cognitions). Twenty-four patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia received empirically supported treatment and were monitored across multiple time points for 28 weeks. Treatment resulted in reduced symptoms and enhanced remoralization (Cohen's d=1.19-1.45). Slopes of symptoms and remoralization were obtained from latent growth model analyses. The slopes correlated highly (r=- .50 to -.55), which indicates similar patterns of change over time. The slope of remoralization also correlated with a number of aspects of health-related quality of life, while the slope of symptom reduction did not. Although strongly related to symptom reduction, the measurement of remoralization is expected to provide unique information for treatment efficacy research.
Vissers
Wiede
W
Academic Centre Social Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. w.vissers@acsw.ru.nl
Hutschemaekers
Giel
G
Keijsers
Ger
G
Van der Veld
William
W
Hendriks
Gert-Jan
GJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009013:Morale; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult