This study compared the effectiveness of two cognitive behavioral ther
apy programs for panic disorder: One involved reduced therapist contac
t; the other was entirely therapist directed. Subjects were 21 adults
who met the DSM-III-R criteria for panic disorder. They were treated o
ver a 17-week period. Measures of frequency and apprehension of panic
attacks, measures of perceived self-efficacy at controlling panic atta
cks and measures of agoraphobic symptomatology were obtained at pretes
t and posttest and at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. Results demonst
rated that both treatment procedures produced significant and comparab
le improvements on all of the outcome measures that were maintained or
furthered at follow-ups. Over 73% of patients in each condition were
panic-free and clinically improved at 6-month follow-up. The reduced t
herapist contact treatment was found to be more therapist-time efficie
nt, especially when long-term treatment benefits were considered. The
present findings suggest that cognitive behavior therapy with reduced
therapist contact may be a viable, therapist-time-efficient alternativ
e for the treatment of panic disorder.