“STRESSPAC”: THREE-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF A CONTROLLED TRIAL OF A SELF-HELP PACKAGE FOR THE ANXIETY DISORDERS

Abstract

In order to test the efficacy of a self-help anxiety management package, 62 anxiety disorder patients were randomly allocated to one of three conditions. “Stress-pac” patients were given a self-help package, “Advice Only” patients were offered verbal advice on ways of coping. Patients in both conditions were seen on one occasion shortly after referral for assessment and management advice. They were then placed back on the waiting list for a three-month period. Patients in the “No Intervention” condition also completed measures during this time. They were formally assessed at the end of this period. All patients were then followed through therapy. Results from a previous paper clearly indicated the superiority of the Stresspac condition at all data points up to one year follow-up. This paper looks at three-year follow-up and, while finding generally good outcome across conditions, finds further evidence of the superiority of the Stresspac condition on a range of measures.