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Internet-based Exposure Therapy for Panic Disorder

Internet-based Exposure Therapy for Panic Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03061448
Enrollment
61
Registered
2017-02-23
Start date
2017-02-01
Completion date
2017-06-01
Last updated
2017-08-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is examine if an internet-based exposure therapy based on inhibitory learning is feasible, acceptable and effective in reducing panic symptoms amongst patients who suffer from panic disorder and agoraphobia.

Detailed description

Trial objectives: Primary objective is to examine if an internet-based exposure therapy based on inhibitory learning is effective in reducing panic symptoms. The secondary objective is to study if the protocol is feasible and acceptable. Secondary objective is measured is examined on 1) number of participants completing the study protocol, 2) participants' satisfaction with the treatment, 3) therapists' ratings of acceptability. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility, and pilot the design and delivery of a RCT that will subsequently form the framework for a larger RCT to evaluate the effectiveness of an exposure protocol based on inhibitory learning. Trial Design: Randomized controlled pilot study with two groups randomly assigned to either Internet-based exposure therapy based on the principles of inhibitory learning or Internet-based exposure therapy based on the principles of habituation Duration: Eight weeks Primary Endpoint: Change in panic symptoms from baseline to Week 8. Efficacy Parameters: Panic Disorder Severity Scale - Self rated (PDSS-SR) Safety Parameters: Adverse Events is assessed weekly via the internet. Description of Trial Subjects: Patients \> 18 years old with a PDSS-SR score more than 6 points Number of Subjects: 80

Interventions

Internet-based cognitive-behavior therapy on a safe internet platform. Treatment is divided into eight modules, each containing homework assignments . The participants will be assigned a therapist that they can contact through a message system in the platform and expect answer within 24 hours.

Sponsors

Karolinska Institutet
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Outpatients * ≥ 18 years * Situated in Sweden * Informed consent * Panic Disorder Severity Scale - self rated score more than 6 points

Exclusion criteria

* Substance dependence during the last six months * Post traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder or psychosis * Symptoms better explained by axis 2 diagnosis (e.g. autism or borderline personality disorder) * MADRS-S score above 25 points * Psychotropic medication changes within one months prior to treatment that could affect target symptoms. * Received exposure based Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for pathological worry the last 2 years

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Panic Disorder Severity Scale - Self rated (PDSS-SR)Week 0, Week 8Change in panic symptoms from baseline to Week 8

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ)Week 8To assess client satisfaction with treatment
Adverse events scaleWeek 8To assess any adverse events caused by the treatment
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)Week 0, Week 8Change in depression from baseline to Week 8
Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI)Week 0, Week 8Change in fear of anxiety-related physical sensations
Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ)Week 0, Week 8Change in fear of fear in agoraphobics
Credibility/Expectancy Questionnaire (CEQ)Week 2Measuring treatment expectancy and rationale credibility for use in clinical outcome studies
Brunnsviken Quality of Life Questionnaire (BBQ)Week 0, Week 8Change in self-perceived quality of life from baseline to week 8
WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0)Week 0, Week 8Change in functioning and disability
Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7)Week 0, Week 8Screening tool and severity measure for generalised anxiety disorder
The Cardiac Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ)Week 0, Week 8Change in heart-focused anxiety from baseline to week 8
HA-NI-SSD Symptom Preoccupation Scale - testversion (SPSt)Week 0, Week 8Change in preoccupation of symptoms from baseline to week 8
Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ)Week 0, Week 8Change in fear of bodily sensations in agoraphobics

Countries

Sweden

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026