Update on treatments for anxiety-related disorders.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions with other psychological therapies, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), for treating anxiety-related disorders.
Results Summary
The study found that mindfulness-based interventions were among the psychological therapies tried for anxiety disorders, but most therapies, including mindfulness, were comparable to CBT without proving superior.
Population
Individuals with anxiety-related disorders (specific disorders not detailed).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
agomelatine | decrease | generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) | - | - | has demonstrated efficacy | #1 |
ketamine, psilocybin and cannabidiol | decrease | anxiety disorders | - | - | are in the process of gathering evidence in support of the treatment | #2 |
various psychological treatments for anxiety disorders (mindfulness-based intervention, acceptance and commitment therapy, psychodynamic therapy, emotion-focused therapy and dialectical behavioural therapy) | no change | - | - | - | have not proven superior | #3 |
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) | no change | - | - | - | most therapies have not proven superior to | #4 |
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) | decrease | generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) | - | - | was effective | #5 |
transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) | decrease | social anxiety disorder (SAD) and GAD | - | - | was effective | #6 |
transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) | increase | exposure therapy for specific fears | - | - | augmented | #7 |
Internet and mobile-based interventions | no change | - | - | - | have comparable efficacy | #8 |
face-to-face therapy | no change | - | - | - | Internet and mobile-based interventions have comparable efficacy to | #9 |
other psychological therapies for anxiety disorders | no change | - | - | - | were comparable to but not superior | #10 |
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) | no change | - | - | - | most therapies were comparable to but not superior to | #11 |
rTMS and tDCS | decrease | GAD | - | - | show early promise | #12 |
Most internet or mobile app based psychological therapies | no change | - | - | - | can be considered as alternatives | #13 |
in-person face-to-face therapy | no change | - | - | - | some can be considered as alternatives to | #14 |
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review examines recent evidence that informs the treatment of anxiety-related disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: In addition to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and benzodiazepines, agomelatine has demonstrated efficacy in treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Other novel products, such as ketamine, psilocybin and cannabidiol, are in the process of gathering evidence in support of the treatment of anxiety disorders. In psychological therapy, various psychological treatments for anxiety disorders, such as mindfulness-based intervention, acceptance and commitment therapy, psychodynamic therapy, emotion-focused therapy and dialectical behavioural therapy, have been tried. Still, most therapies have not proven superior to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). In very preliminary findings: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) was effective in GAD; transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) was effective for social anxiety disorder (SAD) and GAD and augmented exposure therapy for specific fears. Internet and mobile-based interventions have comparable efficacy to face-to-face therapy. SUMMARY: Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders is expanding to novel products. Despite trying other psychological therapies for anxiety disorders, most therapies were comparable to but not superior to CBT. rTMS and tDCS were also used and show early promise for GAD, but further studies are needed. Most internet or mobile app based psychological therapies were based on CBT, and some can be considered as alternatives to in-person face-to-face therapy.