Comparing Different CBT Approaches in GAD
CBTforGAD
Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Preliminary Data of Various Contrasting CBT Approaches in a Randomized Clinical Trial
1 other identifier
interventional
75
1 country
1
Brief Summary
Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) is considered the "golden standard" psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). However, it entails different approaches and blanket statements remain hard to formulate. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare the most studied CBT protocol for GAD - Borkovec's treatment package - with two other forms : Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable
Started May 2009
Longer than P75 for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
May 16, 2009
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
December 22, 2017
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
August 28, 2018
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
September 30, 2018
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
September 30, 2018
CompletedJanuary 15, 2019
January 1, 2019
9.4 years
December 22, 2017
January 14, 2019
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (2)
Generalized anxiety symptoms
Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire IV (GAD-Q-IV)
20 sessions, approximately 16 weeks
Worry
Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ)
20 sessions, approximately 16 weeks
Secondary Outcomes (2)
Automatic thoughts frequency
20 sessions, approximately 16 weeks
Automatic thoughts believability
20 sessions, approximately 16 weeks
Study Arms (3)
CT/BTP
EXPERIMENTALCognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the form of Borkovec's treatment package (CT/BTP for GAD) was derived from Borkovec and Costello's (1993) therapeutic approach, relying on principles of CT for anxiety (A. T. Beck \& Emery, 1985) and including applied relaxation. The CT/BTP protocol included several directions as primary goals in therapy: providing a cognitive conceptualization of the problem, identifying and restructuring automatic thoughts, intermediate and core beliefs through cognitive and behavioral techniques (i.e., behavioral experiments), enhancing adaptive behavior (i.e., activity scheduling, dealing with avoidance behavior, social skills training), and using applied relaxation as a coping strategy.
REBT
EXPERIMENTALCognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the form of REBT was based on the approach of Dryden \& DiGiuseppe (1990), having as a central tenet changing dysfunctional emotions (e.g., anxiety) into functional ones (e.g., healthy anxiety/concern) by changing irrational beliefs into rational beliefs using cognitive, emotive, and behavioral techniques. The structure of an REBT session parallels the CT/BTP session structure including the same elements, but often with a different content. In its elegant/specific form, used here, REBT is focused on changing the core irrational beliefs (i.e., evaluative beliefs/appraisals) seen as the fundamental etiopathogenetic mechanism of GAD.
ACT/ABBT
EXPERIMENTALCognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the form of the ACT/ABBT protocol was derived from the principles and techniques proposed by Eifert and Forsyth (2005) and Roemer and Orsillo (2005). From this perspective, GAD is maintained by dysfunctional reactions to internal experiences (i.e., emotions, thoughts, bodily sensations), experiential avoidance, and behavioral restriction, so the treatment aims to address all of these problems. In this sense, ACT/ABBT includes three major treatment goals: (1) education about the nature of anxiety, worry and the role of experiential avoidance; (2) practicing mindfulness and acceptance skills when dealing with disturbing internal experiences; and (3) identifying values and following valued action paths when facing obstacles.
Interventions
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- primary diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
You may not qualify if:
- severe major depression
- bipolar disorder
- panic disorder
- substance use/abuse/dependence
- psychotic disorders
- suicidal or homicidal ideation
- organic brain syndrome
- disabling medical conditions
- mental retardation
- concurrent treatment with psychotropic drug
- psychotherapy outside study
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- Babes-Bolyai Universitylead
- Albert Ellis Institute, New Yorkcollaborator
Study Sites (1)
Babes-Bolyai University, Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
Cluj-Napoca, Non-US/Non-Canadian, 400015, Romania
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- NONE
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Professor
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
December 22, 2017
First Posted
August 28, 2018
Study Start
May 16, 2009
Primary Completion
September 30, 2018
Study Completion
September 30, 2018
Last Updated
January 15, 2019
Record last verified: 2019-01