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.