Results of a recent study designed to evaluate varying schedules by which cognitive behavioural group treatment of panic disorder with and without agoraphobia (PD) is delivered will be presented. Thirty-nine PD patients were randomly assigned to one of two group treatment schedules: (a) a standard CBT program (S-CBT) which consisted of 13 consecutive weekly two hours sessions, or (b) a massed CBT program (M-CBT) which consisted of daily four-hour sessions for five days in week one and two two-hour sessions in week two and one two-hour session in week three. Content of the treatment programs were identical. It was found that treatment led to significant improvements on all measures. Between-group analyses showed that the S-CBT and M-CBT were equally effective immediate after treatment as well as at three-month follow-up with no between-group differences in the number of patients who achieved clinically significant improvement. Also, there were no differences in drop-out rates or patient satisfaction between groups. The results are discussed in relation to prior research and advantages and disadvantages of both treatment schedules are considered.

One year follow-up data will be obtained in January 2008 and will be presented too.