Mirjam Kampman

Outcome prediction of cognitive behaviour therapy for panic disorder : initial symptom severity is predictive for treatment outcome, comorbid anxiety or depressive disorder, cluster C personality disorders and initial motivation are not

Five variables were investigated with regard to their possible predictive value for cognitive behavioural treatment (CBT) outcome in a large sample of panic disorder (PD) patients. The variables were initial symptom severity, comorbid anxiety or depressive disorders, comorbid cluster C personality disorders, and initial motivation for treatment. A total number of 161 PD patients received a standardized CBT of 15 sessions. Assessments of predictive variables took place prior to treatment. Outcome measures were assessed at pre- and posttreatment. The patients had significantly improved after the treatment. None of the variables, separately or together, affected CBT outcome, save initial severity of panic disorder symptoms, which was positively associated with posttreatment symptom severity. Since research efforts failed to produce consistent predictors for CBT treatment outcome in panic disorder thus far, the usefulness of future outcome prediction research in panic disorder by pre-treatment demographic, disorder-related, psychological, or socio-psychological variables is put into question.

A randomized controlled study of paroxetine and cognitive‐behavioural therapy for late‐life panic disorder

Hendriks G‐J, Keijsers GPJ, Kampman M, Oude Voshaar RC, Verbraak MJPM, Broekman TG, Hoogduin CAL. A randomized controlled study of paroxetine and cognitive‐behavioural therapy for late‐life panic disorder.

Predictors of outcome of pharmacological and psychological treatment of late-life panic disorder with agoraphobia

This study aims to evaluate the differential predictive values of age, age of onset and duration of illness on paroxetine and cognitive‐behavioural therapy (CBT) outcome in late‐life panic disorder with agoraphobia.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder with agoraphobia in older people: a comparison with younger patients

Older adults with panic disorder and agoraphobia (PDA) are underdiagnosed and undertreated, while studies of cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CBT) are lacking. This study compares the effectiveness of CBT for PDA in younger and older adults.

Agoraphobic Cognitions in Old and Young Patients with Panic Disorder

OBJECTIVES To compare the agoraphobic cognitions of younger and older patients suffering from panic disorder with agoraphobia by means of existing questionnaires. METHOD Agoraphobic cognitions were assessed using the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ) in 205 patients confirmed with confirmed panic disorder with agoraphobia (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition, Text Revision) and analyzed at the item level applying a Bonferroni correction. RESULTS The 48 patients who were older than 60 years had a significantly lower mean (SD) ACQ total score than their younger counterparts (1.6 [0.5] versus 2.1 [0.6]; t = 5.7, df = 203, p < 0.001), with their scores on the items fear of going crazy, acting foolishly, losing control, passing out, and brain tumors (p < 0.004) being significantly lower. CONCLUSION The differential effect at the ACQ item level suggests that some cognitions seem less relevant for agoraphobic panic disorder in later life. Future research should explore whether and which agerelated cognitions are missed in the current questionnaires.

Symptom Reduction Without Remoralization: A Randomized, Waiting-List Controlled Study Aimed at Separating Two Beneficial Psychotherapy Outcome Effects

OBJECTIVE Treatment effects in psychotherapy outcome research are generally based on the reduction of symptoms. Standard inclusion of other beneficial treatment effects such as remoralization (increase of hope, self-efficacy, well-being) might lead to more elaborate findings in the field of psychotherapy. On the other hand, it is also possible that symptom reduction and remoralization always go hand in hand in the experience of patients. The present study sought to experimentally test this assumption. METHOD A total of 78 patients suffering from panic disorder were randomly assigned to brief remoralization treatment, brief exposure treatment, or waiting list (WL). RESULTS Both treatments increased remoralization and both reduced symptoms of panic disorder as compared to WL. CONCLUSION It is unlikely that patients experience remoralization without symptom reduction or symptom reduction without remoralization. These findings do not favor the assumption that conclusions within psychotherapy outcome research are flawed because of its heavy reliance on measurements of symptom reduction.