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Physical Activity and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Agoraphobia
Panic Disorder
Registration Number
NCT01928810
Lead Sponsor
Charite University, Berlin, Germany
Brief Summary

Physical activity (treadmill) prior to in-vivo exposure supports the effect of cognitive behavioural therapy in patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia.

Detailed Description

Patients receive a 12-session manualized cognitive behavioural therapy, implemented over 7 weeks and followed by two booster sessions. Five sessions consist of in-vivo exposures. Prior to these sessions patients undergo a training of physical activity. Half of the patients complete training on a treadmill at 70% of their maximal oxygen uptake while the other half complete training at 30%.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
78
Inclusion Criteria
  • Subject familiarized with experimental procedure and had given written informed consent
  • Diagnosis of panic disorder with agoraphobia according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV)
  • Score >= 18 in Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety
  • Score >= 4 in Clinical Global Index
  • Reachability of patient for treatment and follow-up
Exclusion Criteria
  • DSM-IV Axis I diagnoses of any psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, current alcohol or drug dependence and Axis II borderline personality disorder
  • Change in pharmacological treatment in the last 4 weeks
  • Acute suicidality
  • Medical contraindications for mild to moderate exercise training or exposure

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (CIPS 1995)Change from Baseline to 31 weeks (follow-up)

Global interviewer rated measure for anxiety and severity indicator of an anxiety disorder

Mobility Inventory (Chambless 1984)Change from Baseline to 31 weeks (follow-up)

A 27-item inventory for the measurement of self-reported agoraphobic avoidance behavior

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Clinical Global Index (CIPS 1995)Baseline, 3 weeks, 7 weeks, 31 weeks (follow up)
Beck Depression Inventory (CIPS 1995)Baseline, 3 weeks, 7 weeks, 31 weeks (follow up)
Anxiety Sensitivity Index (Taylor 1998)Baseline, every second session, 3 weeks, 7 weeks, 31 weeks (follow up)
Body Sensations Questionnaire (Chambless 1984)Baseline, 3 weeks, 7 weeks, 31 weeks (follow up)
Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionaire (Chambless 1984)Baseline, 3 weeks, 7 weeks, 31 weeks (follow up)
Panic and Agoraphobia ScaleChange from baseline to 31 weeks (follow-up)

Severity scale for panic disorder

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