Intensive behavioral therapy for agoraphobia

J Affect Disord. 2015 Mar 15:174:19-22. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2014.11.029. Epub 2014 Nov 25.

Abstract

Background: We investigated the efficacy of an intensive 1-week behavioral therapy program focusing on agoraphobia for panic disorder patients with agoraphobia (PDA).

Design and methods: The study design was a case-control study. Main outcome measure was the agoraphobia score of the Fear Questionnaire (FQ-AGO). The outcomes on the FQ-AGO of a 1-week intensive therapy (96 patients) and a twice-weekly therapy (98 patients) were compared.

Results: Agoraphobia improved significantly in both groups, 1 week and 3 months after therapy. Effect size for changes in the 1-week intensive therapy on the FQ-AGO was 0.75.

Limitations: Limitations are use of antidepressants, no placebo group, and no long term follow-up.

Conclusion: Behavioral therapy for agoraphobia can be shortened significantly if intensified without affecting therapy outcome, thus allowing patients a more rapid return to work and resumption of daily activities.

Keywords: Agoraphobia; Behavioral therapy; Expanding-spaced exposure; Intensive exposure therapy; Massed-exposure therapy; Panic disorder.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agoraphobia / drug therapy
  • Agoraphobia / psychology
  • Agoraphobia / therapy*
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Behavior Therapy / methods
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy* / methods
  • Comorbidity
  • Desensitization, Psychologic* / methods
  • Fear*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Panic Disorder / therapy
  • Psychometrics
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents