title: Comparing physical exercise in groups to group cognitive behaviour therapy for the treatment of panic disorder in a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have suggested that physical exercise can reduce symptoms for subjects suffering from panic disorder (PD). The efficacy of this intervention has so far not been compared to an established psychotherapy, such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). Assessment of controlled long-term effects and the clinical significance of the treatment are also lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare physical exercise to CBT as treatment for PD, and assess controlled long-term and clinically significant effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  PD-patients were randomized to either three weekly sessions of physical exercise (n = 17), or one weekly session of CBT (n = 19). Both treatments ran for 12 weeks, were manualized and administered in groups. Patients were assessed twice before the start of treatment, at post-treatment and at 6 and 12 months thereafter. Primary outcome-measures consisted of the Mobility Inventory (MI), the Agoraphobia Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ) and the Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A two-way repeated measures MANOVA of these measures demonstrated a significant effect of time, F(16, 544) = 7.28, p < .01, as well as a significant interaction effect, F(16, 544) = 1.71, p < .05, in favour of CBT. This finding was supported by the assessment of clinically significant changes of avoidant behaviour and of treatment-seeking one year later.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Group CBT is more effective than group physical exercise as treatment of panic disorder, both immediately following treatment and at follow-up assessments.
authors.affiliation: University of Bergen, and Solli District Psychiatric Centre-DPS, Nesttun, Norway. anders.hovland@psykp.uib.no
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hovland
authors.forename: Inger Hilde
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Nordhus
authors.forename: Trond
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sjøbø
authors.forename: Bente A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Gjestad
authors.forename: Birthe
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Birknes
authors.forename: Egil W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Martinsen
authors.forename: Torbjørn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Torsheim
authors.forename: Ståle
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pallesen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D001364:Awareness; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires