Clinical Study Summary
This is a brief summary of the clinical study that is attached and appeared in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol 56(1)
Attacking Anxiety: A Naturalistic Study of a Multi-Media Self-Help Program
By Arthur Finch and Michael J. Lambert of Brigham Young University
And
George (Jeb) Brown of Human Affairs International
The Study
Anxiety is a common issue in many psychological disorders, often being the main problem in people’s lives. Those with anxiety-based conditions like generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, and panic disorder are usually treatable but often don’t seek help because their symptoms (e.g., fear of leaving home) make it difficult. Sometimes, people with panic disorder become overly attached to their therapist, which can lead to relapse after therapy ends.
With the rise of multimedia technology, self-help programs in psychology have become more common, using tools like videos, audio tapes, and books. These programs have grown since the 1970s and cover a range of issues like anxiety, phobias, depression, and substance abuse. Many therapists recommend self-help materials as supplements to regular therapy, and patients often report positive results. However, research on how well these programs work is limited, with critics like Gerald Rosen warning about unethical commercial programs that make exaggerated claims.
Despite some concerns, studies show that self-help treatments can be effective, with meta-analyses finding that these programs produce results similar to therapist-led treatments. They work especially well for issues like social skills, fear reduction, and anxiety, though they are less effective for habit-related problems like smoking or weight loss. Combining different formats, such as books and audio tapes, seems to boost effectiveness.
The current study aimed to evaluate a popular self-help program called "Attacking Anxiety," which is widely marketed but had not been studied for its outcomes until now.
Methodology of Research
This study involved 176 individuals who purchased the Attacking Anxiety self-help program and actively participated in the treatment. These participants, mostly female (72%) with an average age of 43.7, had experienced anxiety for many years, with 35% suffering for over 20 years. Many had sought medical help, with 40% having visited an emergency room for anxiety and 45% having visited a doctor at least 10 times in the past two years.
Participants completed surveys and the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45) to measure their progress every two to six weeks. The OQ-45 assesses three areas: symptom distress (anxiety, depression), interpersonal relationships, and social role performance. Despite long histories of anxiety, this study provided valuable data on how individuals believed they were progressing while using the program. The findings revealed significant pretest/posttest differences, underscoring the potential effectiveness of the Attacking Anxiety program in helping people manage their anxiety symptoms.
Results
The study demonstrates significant positive outcomes for individuals using the Attacking Anxiety system. Participants experienced notable improvements, with a treatment effect size of 0.75 after 2-4 weeks and 1.08 after 6 weeks. Among the 167 participants, 24% were classified as "recovered" and 37% as "improved," showing that more than half of the participants saw meaningful progress. Only one participant reported deterioration, a promising sign of the program's safety. The analysis shows that despite initial distress and long histories of anxiety, many found relief through this program, providing valuable insight into how it helps alleviate psychological distress. These results highlight the potential of this self-help approach to anxiety treatment.
Limitations
The study provides a valuable initial glimpse into how individuals perceive their progress using a self-help anxiety program, highlighting several important considerations. While it does not claim to establish causal relationships or serve as a diagnostic tool, it does capture the subjective experiences of participants who believe they have reduced psychological distress after using the program. This naturalistic approach, with minimal interference from investigators, allows for authentic feedback from users. These insights can help lay the groundwork for future, more rigorous clinical trials to further evaluate and improve self-help anxiety treatments.
Summary
This study highlights the significant benefits of a self-help program for individuals dealing with anxiety, demonstrating treatment effects as high as 1.08 standard deviation units. Remarkably, 61% of participants showed considerable improvement, with many experiencing relief after struggling with anxiety for years. The findings also revealed that motivated individuals who consistently followed the program saw the greatest benefits, with improvements in both mental health and work attendance. Although there were some individuals, particularly older and more educated participants, who did not experience as much success, this research underscores the potential of self-help programs in alleviating anxiety symptoms. It calls for further research to refine treatment methods and better serve those who may not initially benefit from self-help alone. Importantly, the study suggests that combining self-help therapies with professional guidance could enhance overall effectiveness.