RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Self-help materials for anxiety: a randomized controlled trial in general practice.
JF British Journal of General Practice
JO Br J Gen Pract
FD British Journal of General Practice
SP 498
OP 501
VO 40
IS 341
A1 P Donnan
A1 A Hutchinson
A1 R Paxton
A1 B Grant
A1 M Firth
YR 1990
UL http://bjgp.org/content/40/341/498.abstract
AB The efficacy of a self-help package in treating chronic anxiety was evaluated in a randomized controlled trial in which the intervention group received self-help materials in the form of an audiotape and booklet, in addition to their current treatment. The intervention was successful in terms of mean depression scores (P = 0.01), anxiety scores (P = 0.04) and general health questionnaire scores (P = 0.02) which were significantly lower for the intervention group than for the controls. In addition, the depression scores fell faster for the intervention group than for the controls. The overall mean reduction in three months in adjusted depression scores was approximately two points greater for the intervention group than for the controls (P = 0.02). Clinicians welcomed the package as a valuable addition to the therapies available for managing chronic anxiety problems. Further studies should include larger sample sizes, taking into account the non-response to postal questionnaires over time.