Kevin P. Reilly, Ph.D.  Michael J. Gill, Ph.D. Frank M. Dattilio, Ph.D., ABPP Amanda McCormick, B.S.

Panic and Agoraphobia: Do Treatments Targeted for One Problem Also Improve the Other? A Pilot Study   11

Summary Background and aim: The objective of this research was to compare the effectiveness of three different interventions (i.e., guided mastery, interoceptive exposure, and a combination treatment) in the treatment of panic and agoraphobia during a brief pilot study.  Material and method:  Nine individuals were randomly assigned to each treatment group and given six hours of treatment.  It was predicted that guided mastery participants would show the greatest reductions in agoraphobic symptoms, while interoceptive exposure participants would display the greatest reductions in symptoms of panic.  Results:  Contrary to these predictions, all treatments were equally beneficial for both panic and agoraphobia.  It was also predicted that treatment benefits for panic and agoraphobia would be moderated by changes in fear-of-fear, anticipated panic, panic coping efficacy, and agoraphobic self-efficacy.  Results indicated that all of these variables moderated treatment benefits for panic, whereas only agoraphobic self-efficacy and anticipated panic mediated treatment benefits for agoraphobia.  Conclusion:  The findings are discussed in light of past research along with suggestions for the direction of future research.