Serial color-word test predicts outcome of pharmacological treatment for Panic Disorder

A group of 50 outpatients with Panic Disorder were given the Serial Color-W ord Test at the beginning of a standard pharmacological treatment (selectiv e serotonin reuptake inhibitors and benzodiazepines). A single treating psy chiatrist, blind to test results. judged therapy outcome at a 5-mo. follow- up, Among the main types of adaptation to conflict assessed by the test (St abilized, Cumulative, Dissociative, and Cumulative-Dissociative), the Stabi lized pattern predicted a good therapy outcome. Response to therapy among t he patients,vith a Stabilized pattern was judged as more often good and les s often moderate or poor, compared with the members of the other three adap tation classes (p=.004), and specifically with the patients resorting to a Cumulative strategy (p=.005).