The bergen 4-day treatment for panic disorder: a longer-term follow-up
Abstract Introduction Bergen 4-Day treatment (B4DT) is a form of concentrated exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in which patients receive treatment over four consecutive days. Previous studies have shown B4DT to be a promising treatment format for panic disorder (PD), although the lo...
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2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06527-7 |
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| author | Thorstein Olsen Eide Bjarne Hansen Kay Morten Hjelle Stian Solem Michael G. Wheaton Thröstur Björgvinsson Gerd Kvale Kristen Hagen |
| author_facet | Thorstein Olsen Eide Bjarne Hansen Kay Morten Hjelle Stian Solem Michael G. Wheaton Thröstur Björgvinsson Gerd Kvale Kristen Hagen |
| author_sort | Thorstein Olsen Eide |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Bergen 4-Day treatment (B4DT) is a form of concentrated exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in which patients receive treatment over four consecutive days. Previous studies have shown B4DT to be a promising treatment format for panic disorder (PD), although the long-term stability of treatment gains requires additional study. Aim The aim of the current study was to evaluate the longer-term effectiveness of B4DT for patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. This study extends a previously published study by providing a long-term follow-up of the same cohort (n = 30), initially assessed at three months post-treatment. Method Thirty patients with panic disorder were consecutively included in a retrospect open trial. The primary outcome measure was the Panic Disorder Severity Scale. The secondary outcome measures were the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Outcomes were assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment, 3-month follow-up, and longer-term follow-up (with a mean time of 18 months). Results There was a significant reduction in panic disorder symptoms from pretreatment to longer-term follow-up (d = 5.03, 95% CI [18.55, 21.12] to [1.33, 3.87]). The Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) mean decreased from 19.83 (SD = 0.64, 95% CI [18.55, 21.12]) before treatment, to 4.37 (SD = 0.64, 95% CI [2.98, 5.76]) post-treatment, followed by further decreases at the 3-month follow-up to a mean of 2.84 (SD = 0.64, 95% CI [1.45, 4.22]), and at the longer-term follow-up to 2.60 (SD = 0.64, 95% CI [1.33, 3.87]). There was no significant difference in symptom severity between the 3-month and 18-month assessments, indicating a sustained improvement (p <.001). At the 18-month follow-up, 90% of the patients were classified as being in remission. There were also significant reductions in symptoms of depression (d = 1.44) and generalized anxiety (d = 1.62) that were maintained at the longer-term follow-up assessment. Conclusion The results from the current study indicated that the treatment effects of B4DT are stable over time and that the treatment format appears to be promising for PD. Confirming these preliminary results in rigorous study designs is needed. Trial registration The study was approved by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics of Northern Norway (REK Nord-2021/209619). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8f654997977a4753aff9727c28303285 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
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| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-8f654997977a4753aff9727c283032852025-02-09T12:49:15ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2025-02-012511810.1186/s12888-025-06527-7The bergen 4-day treatment for panic disorder: a longer-term follow-upThorstein Olsen Eide0Bjarne Hansen1Kay Morten Hjelle2Stian Solem3Michael G. Wheaton4Thröstur Björgvinsson5Gerd Kvale6Kristen Hagen7Molde Hospital, Møre og Romsdal Hospital TrustCenter for Crisis Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of BergenCenter for Crisis Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of BergenBergen Center for Brain Plasticity, Haukeland University HospitalDepartment of Psychology, Barnard CollegeMcLean Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBergen Center for Brain Plasticity, Haukeland University HospitalMolde Hospital, Møre og Romsdal Hospital TrustAbstract Introduction Bergen 4-Day treatment (B4DT) is a form of concentrated exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in which patients receive treatment over four consecutive days. Previous studies have shown B4DT to be a promising treatment format for panic disorder (PD), although the long-term stability of treatment gains requires additional study. Aim The aim of the current study was to evaluate the longer-term effectiveness of B4DT for patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. This study extends a previously published study by providing a long-term follow-up of the same cohort (n = 30), initially assessed at three months post-treatment. Method Thirty patients with panic disorder were consecutively included in a retrospect open trial. The primary outcome measure was the Panic Disorder Severity Scale. The secondary outcome measures were the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Outcomes were assessed at pretreatment, posttreatment, 3-month follow-up, and longer-term follow-up (with a mean time of 18 months). Results There was a significant reduction in panic disorder symptoms from pretreatment to longer-term follow-up (d = 5.03, 95% CI [18.55, 21.12] to [1.33, 3.87]). The Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) mean decreased from 19.83 (SD = 0.64, 95% CI [18.55, 21.12]) before treatment, to 4.37 (SD = 0.64, 95% CI [2.98, 5.76]) post-treatment, followed by further decreases at the 3-month follow-up to a mean of 2.84 (SD = 0.64, 95% CI [1.45, 4.22]), and at the longer-term follow-up to 2.60 (SD = 0.64, 95% CI [1.33, 3.87]). There was no significant difference in symptom severity between the 3-month and 18-month assessments, indicating a sustained improvement (p <.001). At the 18-month follow-up, 90% of the patients were classified as being in remission. There were also significant reductions in symptoms of depression (d = 1.44) and generalized anxiety (d = 1.62) that were maintained at the longer-term follow-up assessment. Conclusion The results from the current study indicated that the treatment effects of B4DT are stable over time and that the treatment format appears to be promising for PD. Confirming these preliminary results in rigorous study designs is needed. Trial registration The study was approved by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics of Northern Norway (REK Nord-2021/209619).https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06527-7Panic disorderIntensive treatmentExposureB4DTCBT |
| spellingShingle | Thorstein Olsen Eide Bjarne Hansen Kay Morten Hjelle Stian Solem Michael G. Wheaton Thröstur Björgvinsson Gerd Kvale Kristen Hagen The bergen 4-day treatment for panic disorder: a longer-term follow-up BMC Psychiatry Panic disorder Intensive treatment Exposure B4DT CBT |
| title | The bergen 4-day treatment for panic disorder: a longer-term follow-up |
| title_full | The bergen 4-day treatment for panic disorder: a longer-term follow-up |
| title_fullStr | The bergen 4-day treatment for panic disorder: a longer-term follow-up |
| title_full_unstemmed | The bergen 4-day treatment for panic disorder: a longer-term follow-up |
| title_short | The bergen 4-day treatment for panic disorder: a longer-term follow-up |
| title_sort | bergen 4 day treatment for panic disorder a longer term follow up |
| topic | Panic disorder Intensive treatment Exposure B4DT CBT |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06527-7 |
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