Comparing Two Exposure Therapies to Improve Long-Term Outcomes for Adults with Anxiety Disorders A Randomized Study of Expectancy Focused vs Anxiety Focused Exposure

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating two types of exposure therapy for adults with anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder, specific phobia, generalized anxiety disorder, and panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. This study aims to compare Expectancy Focused Exposure EFE, which targets threat expectations and inhibitory learning, with Anxiety Focused Exposure AFE, which focuses on reducing anxiety responses. Anxiety disorders significantly impact daily life and current treatments often face challenges with the return of fear after therapy. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either EFE or AFE after a possible brief waitlist period. Both treatments include about 10 weekly individual psychotherapy sessions conducted by trained therapists. EFE uses exercises designed to challenge and disprove threat expectations, while AFE follows a gradual exposure hierarchy to reduce anxiety through repeated confrontation with feared stimuli. Participants will also engage in between-session practice to reinforce their learning. Throughout the study, participants will complete clinical assessments at baseline, weekly during treatment, immediately after treatment, and at 6, 12, and 18 months post-treatment. These assessments include disorder-specific and general anxiety symptom measures, psychological distress, and quality of life. Therapists adherence to treatment protocols will be monitored, and safety will be ensured during exposure exercises. The study aims to determine if EFE provides longer-lasting benefits and reduces relapse compared to AFE.

Efficacy of Expectancy Focused Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Disorders