None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Our previous research into Internet based treatment programs have been shown to be effective (e.g the Worry Program for the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder (ACTRN12609000563268). These programs informed the creation of a program for treating GAD, and/or social phobia, and/or panic disorder (the Anxiety Program). Our preliminary research indicated tenative support that the Anxiety Program (ACTRN12609000501246) was effective at helping people to learn to manage their symptoms of anxiety. The study described here aims to find out whether therapist support is required for people to successfully complete the Anxiety Program. We expect that people completing the Anxiety Program without therapist support will still benefit, but not as much as those receiving the usual levels of therapist support.
Interventions
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group 1) Treatment with self-guided Internet based treatment for GAD and/or social phobia, and/or panic disorder, or; Group 2) Treatment with clinician-assisted Internet based treatment for GAD and/or social phobia, and/or panic disorder, or; Group 3) Waitlist control. All participants will meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for GAD and/or social phobia, and/or panic disorder. Al
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: Group 1) Treatment with self-guided Internet based treatment for GAD and/or social phobia, and/or panic disorder, or; Group 2) Treatment with clinician-assisted Internet based treatment for GAD and/or social phobia, and/or panic disorder, or; Group 3) Waitlist control. All participants will meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for GAD and/or social phobia, and/or panic disorder. All group 1 and group 2 participants will complete 8 lessons of Internet based treatment about the management of anxiety symptoms. One lesson will be completed every 7 to 14 days. Each lesson will take about 15 minutes to complete. Group 1 participants will have access to summaries of each lesson, and will receive weekly reminder emails. Group 2 participants will have access to summaries of each lesson, will contribute to an online forum moderated by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, and will receive weekly reminder emails. The duration of the program is up to 10 weeks, but participants will be contacted 3 months post program and asked to complete follow-up questionnaires. Study questionnaires will be administered at application, pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 3-month post-treatment. These will take about 20 minutes to complete. The treatment materials are based on cognitive behavioural techniques
Sponsors
School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales at St Vincent's Hospital
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Meet DSM-IV criteria for social phobia and/or panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) and/or GAD - Internet access + printer access. - Australian citizen- Males and females.
Exclusion criteria
Current substance abuse/dependence- Psychotic disorder- Current or planned psychological treatment during study duration- Change in medications during last 1 month or intended change during study duration - Current use of benzodiazepines or beta-blockers
Outcome results
None listed