Cognitive therapy by allocation versus cognitive therapy by preference in the treatment of panic disorder

Background: Little is known about the influence of preference for a given t herapy or preference against a modality of treatment on the outcome of that treatment. Results so far have been conflicting. The primary aim of this s tudy was to investigate possible differences in outcome between panic disor der patients treated with preferred cognitive therapy and patients treated by randomization with the same intervention. Methods: A 12-week study compa ring 35 patients treated by allocation with 31 patients treated by preferen ce. Results: There were no differences at pretest between the two condition s on demographic or outcome measures. Outcome was assessed with measurement s rating the panic frequency and severity of agoraphobia, general anxiety a nd depression. Both conditions improved significantly on nearly all ratings . There were no significant differences demonstrable between the two condit ions on any of the outcome measures. Conclusion: Preference for a given the rapy is not a powerful moderator of effect in the psychological treatment o f panic disorder. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.