Development and Application of a Psychoeducation-Focused Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program for Panic Disorder

Abstract

Web-based services are essential for making psychiatric treatments more accessible. Evidence-based treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy for panic disorder, should be disseminated to a broader segment of society. In our study, we developed a web-based cognitive behavioral psychoeducation program for panic disorder and evaluated its short-term effects in a clinical sample. The 4-week program was administered to 31 patients diagnosed with panic disorder, and related outcomes were assessed using the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3), Health Anxiety Inventory Short Version (SHAI), and Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASA). We found a statistically significant decrease in PDSS scores with a large effect size (g = 2.26, 95% CI [1.60, 2.92]). Significant reductions were also observed in ASI-3 (g = 1.18 95% CI [0.62, 1.74]), SHAI (g = 0.57, 95% CI [0.05, 1.10], and ASA scores (g = 1.28, 95% CI [0.72, 1.85]), with medium to large effect sizes. These results suggest that the intervention had a substantial impact on reducing panic-related symptoms in the short term. This approach may be a cost-effective option clinicians can recommend to their patients, particularly in low-resource settings.

Keywords: anxiety disorders; cognitive behavioral therapy; internet; panic disorder; psychoeducation; resource-limited settings.