Treatment of panic disorder in adolescents, Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility study examining the efficacy of Brief Cognitive Therapy for the Treatment of Panic Disorder in Adolescents
IRAS ID
265340
Contact name
Polly Waite
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Reading
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN14884288
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
People who have panic disorder experience repeated, unexpected panic attacks, which involve intense physical sensations, e.g., increased heart rate, breathlessness and dizziness. Typically, these sensations are misinterpreted as being dangerous and as a result the person avoids activities or situations that may bring on the sensations. Around 0.5-1% of adolescents meet diagnostic criteria for panic disorder and it is a disabling condition, associated with adverse long-term outcomes. Despite this, adolescents with panic disorder have typically been excluded from treatment trials of children and young people with anxiety disorders, and there is limited current guidance for NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) as to how adolescents with panic disorder should be treated. Cognitive Therapy (CT) has been shown to be highly effective for adults with panic disorder, even in a brief format with self-study modules. Key aspects of the CT model apply to adolescents.
This feasibility study will provide the groundwork for a future definitive trial to investigate the effectiveness of brief CT for panic disorder in adolescents compared to standard care (graded exposure). After an initial assessment at the AnDY Research Clinic at the University of Reading, adolescents with panic disorder will have 5 sessions (and up to 2 boosters) of either brief CT or graded exposure. Both treatments involve working one-to-one with a therapist. Young people will be assessed post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up. Adolescent outcomes, expectations and experiences and health economic factors will be assessed.
A second study will examine how adolescents with panic disorder think and behave in panic-related situations to determine whether these processes are specific to this particular anxiety disorder, to then further adapt and develop the treatment for focused use with adolescents. This will involve comparing their responses on self-report measures to those of adolescents with other anxiety disorders and non-anxious adolescents.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SC/0287
Date of REC Opinion
21 Jun 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion