Psychological therapy based on CBT principles is effective in reducing anxiety symptoms for short-term treatment of GAD .
The body of evidence comparing CBT with other psychological therapies is small and heterogeneous , which precludes drawing conclusions about which psychological therapy is more effective .
BACKGROUND Generalised anxiety disorder ( GAD ) is a highly prevalent condition , characterised by excessive worry or anxiety about everyday events and problems .
The effectiveness and effectiveness of psychological therapies as a group has not yet been evaluated in the treatment of GAD .
OBJECTIVES To examine the efficacy and acceptability of psychological therapies , categorised as cognitive behavioural therapy ( CBT ) , psychodynamic therapy and supportive therapy , compared with treatment as usual/waiting list ( TAU/WL ) and compared with one another , for patients with GAD .
Does cognitive-behavioural therapy influence the long-term outcome of generalized anxiety disorder? An 8-14 year follow-up of two clinical trials.
BACKGROUND Generalized anxiety disorder is a common condition of excessive worry and tension which tends to run a chronic course associated with significant psychiatric and medical problems . Cognitive behaviour therapy ( CBT ) has been shown to be of clinical value in about 50 % of cases with treatment gains maintained over follow-up periods ranging from 6 to 12 months . The potential value of CBT over the longer term has not been subject to rigorous investigation . METHOD Results are reported of 8 - 14 year follow-up of two r and omized controlled trials of cognitive-behaviour therapy for generalized anxiety disorder employing structured interview with an assessor blind to initial treatment condition . Comparison groups included medication and placebo in one study based in primary care , and analytical psychotherapy in the other based in secondary care . Follow-up sample s ( 30 % and 55 % of trial entrants ) were broadly representative of the original cohorts . RESULTS Overall , 50 % of participants were markedly improved of whom 30 - 40 % were recovered ( i.e. free of symptoms ) . Outcome was significantly worse for the study based in secondary care in which the clinical presentation of participants was more complex and severe . For a minority ( 30 - 40 % ) , mainly from the secondary care study , outcome was poor . Treatment with CBT was associated with significantly lower overall severity of symptomatology and less interim treatment , in comparison with non-CBT conditions , but there was no evidence that CBT influenced diagnostic status , probability of recovery or patient perceptions of overall improvement . CONCLUSIONS Both CBT and the complexity and severity of presenting problems appear to influence the long-term outcome of GAD
Psychological therapy based on CBT principles is effective in reducing anxiety symptoms for short-term treatment of GAD .
The body of evidence comparing CBT with other psychological therapies is small and heterogeneous , which precludes drawing conclusions about which psychological therapy is more effective .
BACKGROUND Generalised anxiety disorder ( GAD ) is a highly prevalent condition , characterised by excessive worry or anxiety about everyday events and problems .
The effectiveness and effectiveness of psychological therapies as a group has not yet been evaluated in the treatment of GAD .
OBJECTIVES To examine the efficacy and acceptability of psychological therapies , categorised as cognitive behavioural therapy ( CBT ) , psychodynamic therapy and supportive therapy , compared with treatment as usual/waiting list ( TAU/WL ) and compared with one another , for patients with GAD .