Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
J Clin Psychol. 2023 Dec;79(12):2884-2898. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23587. Epub 2023 Aug 19.
Many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated the efficacy and benefits of exposure therapy in the treatment of health anxiety. However, the application of these research results to routine care has not been considered sufficiently. The aim of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of exposure therapy in the routine treatment of health anxiety patients.
Data were available for 35 patients, who repeatedly filled in comprehensive general questionnaires, and those specific to health anxiety.
The data analysis showed that health anxiety symptoms decreased significantly both posttreatment (Cohen's d = 0.97-1.00) and at follow-up (Cohen's d = 1.33-1.34). In addition, the scores of depressiveness, somatic symptoms, and psychological distress showed improvements with effect sizes of d = 0.35-0.51. Regarding the primary outcome measures for health anxiety, response rates were 51%-63%, and remission rates were 29%-43%.
Exposure therapy is effective and sustainable regarding the treatment of health anxiety, even under naturalistic conditions, whereas response and remission rates are lower than for RCT.
许多随机对照试验（RCT）已经证明暴露疗法在治疗健康焦虑症方面的疗效和益处。然而，这些研究结果在常规护理中的应用尚未得到充分考虑。本研究旨在分析暴露疗法在常规治疗健康焦虑症患者中的效果。
共有 35 名患者的数据可供分析，他们反复填写了综合一般问卷和专门针对健康焦虑的问卷。
数据分析显示，健康焦虑症状在治疗后（Cohen's d=0.97-1.00）和随访时（Cohen's d=1.33-1.34）均显著降低。此外，抑郁、躯体症状和心理困扰的评分也有所改善，效应大小为 d=0.35-0.51。关于健康焦虑的主要结果测量，反应率为 51%-63%，缓解率为 29%-43%。
暴露疗法在治疗健康焦虑症方面是有效且可持续的，即使在自然条件下，其反应率和缓解率也低于 RCT。
