Psychodynamic Therapy for Treating Panic Disorder

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will determine the effectiveness of a manualized form of brief psychodynamic psychotherapy in comparison with applied relaxation training in treating adults with panic disorder.

Detailed Description
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This is a randomized controlled trial of a manualized form of brief psychodynamic psychotherapy in comparison with applied relaxation training, a less active form of treatment in other studies, for adults with primary Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) panic disorder. Forty nine patients who have signed written consent who have primary DSM-IV panic disorder have been entered into the study. Randomization has been stratified by presence of major depression and use of psychoactive, anti-panic medications. Medications, if present, have been held constant. All patients have received 24 sessions of either psychodynamic psychotherapy, or applied relaxation training for panic disorder. This study is currently closed for recruitment, although final follow-up assessments have yet to be completed.

Official Title
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Randomized Controlled Trial of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy vs. Applied Relaxation for Panic Disorder

Conditions
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Panic Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: PFPP
* Other: ART


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 18-55 years old Primary DSM-IV panic disorder with or without agoraphobia Severity 5/8 minimum on the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule Exclusion Criteria: Psychosis Unstable medication dosage Unwilling to discontinue ongoing psychotherapy Organic mental syndrome Substance use or abuse

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: 1 PFPP<br>Panic Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy | Other: PFPP<br>* Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy for panic disorder<br>* Other names: Psychodynamic psychotherapy;|
| Active Comparator: 2 ART<br>Applied Relaxation Training | Other: ART<br>* Applied Relaxation Training<br>* Other names: Behavioral Therapy;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PDSS (panic disorder severity scale) |  | termination, 2, 4, 6, 12 month f/u | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SDS (Sheehan disability scale) |  | termination, 2, 4, 6, 12 month f/u | 
| HARS (Hamilton anxiety rating scale) |  | termination, 2, 4, 6, 12 month f/u | 
| HDRS (Hamilton depression rating scale) |  | termination, 2, 4, 6, 12 month f/u | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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panic disorder,, psychodynamic psychotherapy,, efficacy trial