Promoting walking as an adjunct intervention to group cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders--a pilot group randomized trial

J Anxiety Disord. 2008 Aug;22(6):959-68. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2007.09.010. Epub 2007 Sep 29.

Abstract

A group randomized trial of adding a home-based walking program to a standard group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT+EX) was compared with groups receiving GCBT and educational sessions (GCBT+ED). The study was implemented in an outpatient clinic providing GCBT for clients diagnosed with panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or social phobia. Pre- and post-treatment measures included the self-report depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) and measures of physical activity. From January 2004 to May 2005, six groups were allocated to GCBT+EX (n=38) and five to GCBT+ED (n=36). Analysis of covariance for completed cases (GCBT+EX, n=21; GCBT+ED, n=20), adjusting for the group design, baseline DASS-21 scores, and anxiety diagnosis showed significant effect for GCBT+EX on depression, anxiety, and stress (regression coefficients=-6.21, -3.41, and -5.14, respectively, p<0.05) compared to the GCBT+ED. The potential of exercise interventions as adjunct to GCBT for anxiety disorder needs to be further explored.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Panic Disorder / therapy
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Phobic Disorders / therapy
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychotherapy, Group*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Walking / physiology*