Guided and unguided Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for social anxiety disorder and/or panic disorder provided via the Internet and a smartphone application: A randomized controlled trial. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ivanova, Ekaterina; Lindner, Philip; Ly, Kien Hoa; Dahlin, Mats; Vernmark, Kristofer; Andersson, Gerhard; Carlbring, Per
• Is Part Of: Journal of anxiety disorders. Volume 44(2016:Dec.)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 35
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Internet interventions -- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy -- Cognitive behavior therapy -- Therapist support -- Anxiety disorders -- mHealth; Anxiety -- Periodicals; Anxiety Disorders -- Periodicals; Angoisse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.8522
• DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.09.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-6185

Abstract

Highlights: The first study on Internet-delivered ACT for social anxiety and panic symptoms. Significant reduction observed in general and social anxiety symptoms. Promising results for reduction of panic symptoms with large within-group effect. Smartphone applications may be able to partially compensate for lack of therapist support. Abstract: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be effective in treating anxiety disorders, yet there has been no study on Internet-delivered ACT for social anxiety disorder (SAD) and panic disorder (PD), nor any study investigating whether therapist guidance is superior to unguided self-help when supplemented with a smartphone application. In the current trial, n = 152 participants diagnosed with SAD and/or PD were randomized to therapist-guided or unguided treatment, or a waiting-list control group. Both treatment groups used an Internet-delivered ACT-based treatment program and a smartphone application. Outcome measures were self-rated general and social anxiety and panic symptoms. Treatment groups saw reduced general ( d = 0.39) and social anxiety ( d = 0.70), but not panic symptoms ( d = 0.05) compared to the waiting-list group, yet no differences in outcomes were observed between guided and unguided interventions. We conclude that Internet-delivered ACT is appropriate for treating SAD and potentially PD. Smartphone applications may partially compensate for lack of therapist support.