Transdiagnostic CBT for Anxiety



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Anxiety
Therapuetic Areas:Psychiatry / Psychology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - Any
Updated:1/20/2019
Start Date:August 1, 2018
End Date:February 28, 2022
Contact:Ellen Teng, PhD
Email:ellen.teng@va.gov
Phone:(713) 791-1414

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Improving Veteran Functioning With Intensive Transdiagnostic CBT for Anxiety

This study is a randomized controlled trial examining the effectiveness of a transdiagnostic
cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) in improving Veterans' community reintegration and
quality of life. Veterans with anxiety-based disorders, including posttraumatic stress,
panic, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety disorders (with or without co-occurring
depression) will be randomized to an intensive CBT (iCBT) treatment delivered over one
weekend, standard CBT (sCBT) delivered over 12 weeks or treatment as usual (TAU). The study
will also evaluate the potential of the compressed weekend format of iCBT in producing more
rapid improvement in outcomes and increasing psychotherapy engagement compared with a
standard psychotherapy format. Qualitative interviews will be conducted with Veterans who
receive iCBT and their family members to examine how iCBT and environmental factors impacted
their process of recovery.

The current project proposes to evaluate a brief but intensive transdiagnostic CBT that
simultaneously targets multiple anxiety disorders with or without co-occurring depression.
This will be accomplished by evaluating an innovative treatment delivery method that directly
addresses barriers associated with standard psychotherapy delivery. The main objectives are
to (1) determine if an intensive CBT protocol (iCBT) delivered over one weekend can improve
community reintegration, quality of life, and emotional functioning compared with standard
CBT (sCBT) and treatment as usual (TAU); (2) examine the rates of psychotherapy engagement in
iCBT compared with sCBT; and (3) obtain a deeper understanding, through qualitative
interviews with Veterans and their family members, of how iCBT and environmental factors may
impact the process of reintegration and quality of life.

The proposed study is a randomized controlled trial with 3 treatment arms. A transdiagnostic
group CBT protocol will be compared in a compressed weekend format (iCBT) with a standard
group delivery format involving 3 months of weekly sessions (sCBT). A treatment as usual
(TAU) condition will be included to compare outcomes. Veterans with one or more anxiety-based
disorder(s) (with or without co-occurring depression) will be randomized to one of the three
treatment arms. Veterans will be asked to attend a total of four assessments during the study
including a baseline evaluation, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month follow-ups. Qualitative
interviews will be conducted with Veterans who completed iCBT and family members.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Veterans enrolled to receive VA medical care

- Current diagnosis of at least one anxiety-based disorder

- Moderate-to-poor life enjoyment and satisfaction

- Stable on psychotropic medication 4 weeks prior to participation

- Willing to be randomized to treatment condition

Exclusion Criteria:

- Active symptoms of mania or psychosis at baseline

- Depression with active suicidal ideation/intent

- Moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment

- Active drug/alcohol abuse during initial 3 months of study enrollment

- Undergoing concurrent transdiagnostic CBT for anxiety
We found this trial at
1
site
Houston, Texas 77030
Principal Investigator: Ellen Teng, PhD
Phone: 713-791-1414
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mi
from
Houston, TX
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