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European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

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01-11-2009

Mechanism of action in CBT (MAC): methods of a multi-center randomized controlled trial in 369 patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia

Authors: A. T. Gloster, H. U. Wittchen, F. Einsle, M. Höfler, T. Lang, S. Helbig-Lang, T. Fydrich, L. Fehm, A. O. Hamm, J. Richter, G. W. Alpers, A. L. Gerlach, A. Ströhle, T. Kircher, J. Deckert, P. Zwanzger, V. Arolt

Published in: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience | Special Issue 2/2009

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is efficacious for panic disorder with agoraphobia (PD/A). Nevertheless, the active ingredients of treatment and the mechanisms through which CBT achieves its effects remain largely unknown. The mechanisms of action in CBT (MAC) study was established to investigate these questions in 369 patients diagnosed with PD/A. The MAC study utilized a multi-center, randomized controlled design, with two active treatment conditions in which the administration of exposure was varied, and a wait-list control group. The special feature of MAC is the way in which imbedded experimental, psychophysiological, and neurobiological paradigms were included to elucidate therapeutic and psychopathological processes. This paper describes the aims and goals of the MAC study and the methods utilized to achieve them. All aspects of the research design (e.g., assessments, treatment, experimental procedures) were implemented so as to facilitate the detection of active therapeutic components, and the mediators and moderators of therapeutic change. To this end, clinical, behavioral, physiological, experimental, and genetic data were collected and will be integrated.

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Title: Mechanism of action in CBT (MAC): methods of a multi-center randomized controlled trial in 369 patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia
Authors: A. T. Gloster
H. U. Wittchen
F. Einsle
M. Höfler
T. Lang
S. Helbig-Lang
T. Fydrich
L. Fehm
A. O. Hamm
J. Richter
G. W. Alpers
A. L. Gerlach
A. Ströhle
T. Kircher
J. Deckert
P. Zwanzger
V. Arolt
Publication date: 01-11-2009
Publisher: D. Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience / Issue Special Issue 2/2009
Print ISSN: 0940-1334
Electronic ISSN: 1433-8491
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-009-0065-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Mechanism of action in CBT (MAC): methods of a multi-center randomized controlled trial in 369 patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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