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Comparing Physical Exercise in Groups to Group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for the Treatment of Panic Disorder in a Randomized Controlled Trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2012

Anders Hovland ,
Inger Hilde Nordhus ,
Trond Sjøbø ,
Bente A. Gjestad ,
Birthe Birknes ,
Egil W. Martinsen ,
Torbjørn Torsheim  and
Ståle Pallesen
Anders Hovland*
Affiliation:
University of Bergen, and Solli District Psychiatric Centre (DPS), Nesttun, Norway
Inger Hilde Nordhus
Affiliation:
University of Bergen, Norway
Trond Sjøbø
Affiliation:
Solli District Psychiatric Centre (DPS), Nesttun, Norway
Bente A. Gjestad
Affiliation:
Solli District Psychiatric Centre (DPS), Nesttun, Norway
Birthe Birknes
Affiliation:
Solli District Psychiatric Centre (DPS), Nesttun, Norway
Egil W. Martinsen
Affiliation:
University of Oslo, Norway
Torbjørn Torsheim
Affiliation:
University of Bergen, Norway
Ståle Pallesen
Affiliation:
University of Bergen, Norway
*
Reprint requests to Anders Hovland, Department of Clinical Psychology, Christiesgt. 12, 5015 Bergen, Norway. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Background: Previous studies have suggested that physical exercise can reduce symptoms for subjects suffering from panic disorder (PD). The efficacy of this intervention has so far not been compared to an established psychotherapy, such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). Assessment of controlled long-term effects and the clinical significance of the treatment are also lacking. Aim: To compare physical exercise to CBT as treatment for PD, and assess controlled long-term and clinically significant effects. Method: PD-patients were randomized to either three weekly sessions of physical exercise (n = 17), or one weekly session of CBT (n = 19). Both treatments ran for 12 weeks, were manualized and administered in groups. Patients were assessed twice before the start of treatment, at post-treatment and at 6 and 12 months thereafter. Primary outcome-measures consisted of the Mobility Inventory (MI), the Agoraphobia Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ) and the Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ). Results: A two-way repeated measures MANOVA of these measures demonstrated a significant effect of time, F(16, 544) = 7.28, p < .01, as well as a significant interaction effect, F(16, 544) = 1.71, p < .05, in favour of CBT. This finding was supported by the assessment of clinically significant changes of avoidant behaviour and of treatment-seeking one year later. Conclusion: Group CBT is more effective than group physical exercise as treatment of panic disorder, both immediately following treatment and at follow-up assessments.

Keywords

Exercisecognitive behaviour therapypanic disorderanxiety
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 41 , Issue 4 , July 2013 , pp. 408 - 432
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2012 

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