Self-exposure therapy for panic disorder with agoraphobia - Randomised controlled study of external v. interoceptive self-exposure

Background Exposure to external phobic cues is an effective therapy for panic/agoraphobia but the value of exposure to interoceptive cues is unclear. Aims Randomised controlled comparison in panic/agoraphobia of the effects of (a) external, (b) interoceptive or (c) combined external and interoceptive self-exposure to (d) control subjects. Method Eighty out-patients were randomised to a control group or to one of three forms of self-exposure treatment (external, interoceptive. or combined). Each treatment included seven sessions over 10 weeks and daily self-exposure homework. Assessments were at pre and post-treatment and up to 1 year post-entry. Assessors remained blind during treatment. Results The three self-exposure groups improved significantly and similarly at post-treatment and up to 1-year follow up, and significantly more than did the control subjects. Rates of improvement on main outcome measures averaged 60% at post-treatment and 77% at follow-up. Conclusions The three methods or self-exposure were equally effective in reducing panic and agoraphobic symptoms in the short- and long-term. Declaration of interest Supported by Fundac (o) over tilde de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de S (a) over tildeo Paulo (FAPESP).