title: A multifaith spiritually based intervention versus supportive therapy for generalized anxiety disorder: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have previously reported that a multifaith spiritually based intervention (SBI) may have efficacy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). This randomized pilot trial tested whether the SBI had greater efficacy than a nonspecific control condition in GAD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three participants with GAD of at least moderate severity were randomized to 12 individual sessions of the SBI (n = 11) or supportive psychotherapy (SP)--our control condition (n = 12).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intent-to-treat analysis revealed the SBI fared better than SP in decreasing blind clinician ratings of anxiety and illness severity and self-report worry and intolerance of uncertainty, with large between-group effect sizes. The SBI also produced greater changes in spiritual well-being. Results remained the same when supplementary analyses were performed on the completer sample. Treatment gains were maintained at 3-months follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This small pilot trial demonstrates that a nondenominational SBI has greater efficacy than a rigorous control in improving symptoms of GAD and enhancing spiritual well-being. These results are encouraging and further research on the efficacy of the SBI and its underlying mechanisms is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education (Counselling), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Faculty of Medicine (Psychiatry), University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Institut de Recherche de l'Hôpital Montfort, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koszycki
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bilodeau
authors.forename: Kelley
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Raab-Mayo
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bradwejn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011594:Psychometrics; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012944:Social Support; D026443:Spiritual Therapies
keywords: anxiety; generalized anxiety disorder; psychotherapy; randomized controlled trial; religion; spiritual psychotherapy; spirituality