TY  - JOUR
AU  - Ebenfeld, Lara
AU  - Lehr, Dirk
AU  - Ebert, David Daniel
AU  - Kleine Stegemann, Stefan
AU  - Riper, Heleen
AU  - Funk, Burkhardt
AU  - Berking, Matthias
PY  - 2021
DA  - 2021/3/4
TI  - Evaluating a Hybrid Web-Based Training Program for Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia: Randomized Controlled Trial
JO  - J Med Internet Res
SP  - e20829
VL  - 23
IS  - 3
KW  - panic disorder
KW  - agoraphobia
KW  - treatment
KW  - internet
KW  - mobile phone
KW  - randomized controlled trial
AB  - Background: Previous studies provide evidence for the effectiveness of web-based interventions for panic disorder with and without agoraphobia. Smartphone-based technologies hold significant potential for further enhancing the accessibility and efficacy of such interventions. Objective: This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a guided, hybrid web-based training program based on cognitive behavioral therapy for adults with symptoms of panic disorder. Methods: Participants (N=92) with total scores in the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale ranging from 9 to 28 were recruited from the general population and allocated either to a hybrid intervention (GET.ON Panic) or to a wait-list control group. The primary outcome was the reduction in panic symptoms, as self-assessed using a web-based version of the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale. Results: Analysis of covariance-based intention-to-treat analyses revealed a significantly stronger decrease in panic symptoms posttreatment (F=9.77; P=.002; Cohen d=0.66; 95% CI 0.24-1.08) in the intervention group than in the wait-list control group. Comparisons between groups of the follow-up measures at 3 and 6 months yielded even stronger effects (3-month follow-up: F=17.40, P<.001, Cohen d=0.89, 95% CI 0.46-1.31; 6-month follow-up: F=14.63, P<.001, Cohen d=0.81, 95% CI 0.38-1.24). Conclusions: Hybrid web-based training programs may help reduce the symptoms of panic disorder and hence play an important role in improving health care for patients with this debilitating disorder. Trial Registration: German Clinical Trial Register DRKS00005223; https://tinyurl.com/f4zt5ran International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.1186/1745-6215-15-427 
SN  - 1438-8871
UR  - https://www.jmir.org/2021/3/e20829
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/20829
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33661121
DO  - 10.2196/20829
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/20829
ER  -