Citation

Steele SJ, Farchione TJ, Cassiello-Robbins C, Ametaj A, Sbi S, Sauer-Zavala S, Barlow DH. J. Psychiatr. Res. 2018; 104: 211-216.

Affiliation

Boston University, Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, 648 Beacon Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. Electronic address: dhbarlow@bu.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.08.005

PMID

30103069

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine whether the Unified Protocol (UP), a transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy for emotional disorders (i.e., anxiety, mood, and related disorders), is efficacious in the treatment of co-occurring emotional disorders compared to established single disorder protocols (SDPs) that target specific disorders (e.g., panic disorder).

METHOD: Participants included 179 adults seeking outpatient psychotherapy. Participant age ranged from 18 to 66 years, with an average of 30.66 years (SD = 10.77). The sample was 55% female and mostly Caucasian (83%). Diagnostic assessments were completed with the Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule (ADIS), and disorder-specific, clinician-rated measures for the comorbid diagnoses of interest.

RESULTS: In both treatment conditions, participants' mean number of diagnoses dropped significantly from baseline to posttreatment, and baseline to 12-month follow-up. Additionally, large effects were observed for changes in comorbid generalized anxiety (ES_SG: UP = -1.72; SDP = -1.98), social anxiety (ES_SG: UP = -1.33, -0.86; SDP = -1.60, -1.54), and depression (ES_SG: UP = -0.83; SDP = -0.84). Significant differences were not observed in between-group comparisons.

CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that both the UP and SDPs are efficacious in reducing symptoms of comorbid emotional disorders. The clinical, practical, and cost-effective advantages of transdiagnostic CBT are discussed.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Cognitive-behavioral therapy; Comorbidity; Emotional disorders; Transdiagnostic treatment; Unified protocol