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Randomised placebo-controlled trial of moclobemide, cognitive–behavioural therapy and their combination in panic disorder with agoraphobia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Bernd Loerch ,
Mechthild Graf-Morgenstern ,
Martin Hautzinger ,
Sabine Schlegel ,
Christoph Hain ,
Juergen Sandmann  and
Otto Benkert
Bernd Loerch*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
Mechthild Graf-Morgenstern
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
Martin Hautzinger
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
Sabine Schlegel
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
Christoph Hain
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
Juergen Sandmann
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
Otto Benkert
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany
*
Bernd Loerch, Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, D-55131 Mainz, Germany
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Abstract

Background

In the treatment of panic disorder with agoraphobia, the efficacy of pharmacological, psychological and combined treatments has been established. Unanswered questions concern the relative efficacy of such treatments.

Aims

To demonstrate that moclobemide and cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) are effective singly and more effective in combination.

Method

Fifty-five patients were randomly assigned to an eight-week treatment of: moclobemide plus CBT; moclobemide plus clinical management (‘psychological placebo’); placebo plus CBT; or placebo plus clinical management.

Results

Comparisons between treatments revealed strong effects for CBT. Moclobemide with clinical management was not superior to placebo. The combination of moclobemide with CBT did not yield significantly better short-term results than CBT with placebo. The CBT results remained stable during a six-month follow-up, although a substantial proportion of patients treated with placebo plus CBT needed additional treatment.

Conclusions

CBT was highly effective in the treatment of panic disorder with agoraphobia and reduced agoraphobia to levels that were comparable to those of non-clinical controls.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 174 , Issue 3 , March 1999 , pp. 205 - 212
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

Declaration of interest

Supported by Hoffmann LaRoche AG.

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