Treatment for Generalised Anxiety Disorder

Question 1

Covin et al. (2008) - Meta analysis - CBT

Answer 1

Intervention
- CBT

Findings
- CBT for GAD is effective for reducing pathological worry, however, effectiveness was moderated by age.

• Younger adults responded more favourably to CBT interventions than did older adults. Despite this difference, when compared to control groups, the mean effect size of CBT for older adults was still higher.
• Therapeutic effects of CBT were maintained at 6- and 12-month follow-up.

Question 2

Craigie et al (2008) - MBCT

Answer 2

Intervention
- MBCT

Findings
- There was significant improvement in pathological worry and several GAD related symptoms at posttreatment.

• Treatment gains were maintained at follow up. When standardised recovery criteria to pathological worry were applied, the rate of recovery at posttreatment was very small, although it improved at follow up.

Question 3

Evans et al (2008) - MBCT

Answer 3

Intervention
- MBCT

Findings
- At posttreatment, participants experienced a significant reduction in anxiety, tension, worry, and depressive symptoms.

• Furthermore, those whose baseline symptoms were in the clinical range experienced a reduction in their symptoms comparable to those of a non-clinical population.