Pilot CBT trial for anxiety in alcohol use disorders treatment
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to test the effectiveness of a self-directed cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) booklet allowing immediate access to treatment for anxiety during alcohol use disorder (AUD) interventions.
Design/methodology/approach
Parallel pilot randomised controlled trial: 69 individuals in AUD treatment, continued to receive treatment alone (control: n=29) or in addition, a self-directed, four week CBT booklet to manage anxiety (intervention: n=40). Primary outcome measures were changes in state (SAnx) and trait anxiety (TAnx) at four weeks. Secondary outcome measures were changes in adaptive (ACop), maladaptive (MCop) coping and quality of life (QoL, physical (PHQoL), psychological (PSQoL), social (SQoL), environment (EQoL)) at four weeks.
Findings
Participants had significantly higher SAnx (p < 0.01) and TAnx (p < 0.01) baseline scores compared to the general population. There were no statistically significant group changes in SAnx or TAnx (p > 0.05). Control group allocation predicted improvement in ACop (p < 0.01), MCop (p < 0.05), PHQoL (p < 0.01), PSQoL (p < 0.05) and SQoL (p < 0.01); CBT group allocation predicted improvement in EQoL (p=0.05). All effect sizes were small to moderate (Cohen’s d < 0.50). Percentage of book completion did not determine changes in anxiety, coping or quality of life.
Originality/value
A four week self-directed CBT booklet did not significantly reduce anxiety during AUD treatment. Larger sample sizes will determine the most suitable treatment delivery mode for this type of CBT.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This project was conducted by the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of South Australia. The trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12613000226707). Thank you to Sam Raven and Jane Barr from DRUG ARM Australasia, Donna Newman from Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia and Dr Matt Gaughwin from DARU for facilitating access to their treatment services. The work was supported by a Research Development Grant Scheme from the Division of Health Sciences at the University of South Australia.
Citation
Fielder, A.L., Mikocka-Walus, A., McCallum, S., Stewart, B., Alvaro, P. and Esterman, A. (2015), "Pilot CBT trial for anxiety in alcohol use disorders treatment", Advances in Dual Diagnosis, Vol. 8 No. 4, pp. 179-192. https://doi.org/10.1108/ADD-05-2015-0008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited