A randomized study of massed three-week cognitive behavioural therapy schedule for panic disorder.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of massed vs. spaced group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (PD).

METHOD

Thirty-nine PD patients were randomly assigned to massed group CBT (daily 4-h sessions in week 1, two 2-h sessions in week 2 and one 2-h session in week 3) or traditional spaced weekly group CBT (13 consecutive, weekly 2-h sessions). The content and number of hours in the two treatment schedules were identical. Outcome was assessed after treatment, and at 3, 6 and 18 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

Both treatment groups achieved significant improvement on all measures with large pre- to post-treatment and pre-treatment to follow-up effect sizes. No between-group differences were registered. Adherence and patient satisfaction did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSION

The massed, 3-week group CBT schedule proved to be effective and feasible for PD patients with outcomes comparable with that of standard, spaced group CBT.