Physical Exercise Versus Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Panic Disorders: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Effects of Physical Exercise on Anxiety and Co-morbid Emotional Disturbances: A Clinical Trail in a Day Care Unit

The purpose of this study is to compare manualised physical exercise conducted in groups to manualised cognitive-behavioral therapy conducted in groups as treatment for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Written informed consent obtained
• Clinical diagnosis of panic disorder with and without agoraphobia according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR, 4th ed., text revision; American Psychiatric Association, 2000), established through administration of Structural Clinical Interview for DSM-IV axis I disorders (SCID I; First, Spitzer, Gibbon, & Williams, 1995).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Brain-organic disorders according to DSM-IV-TR
• The presence of psychotic disorders according to DSM-IV-TR, established through administration of SCID I
• Present substance-abuse
• Medical condition that excludes participation in physical activity
• Major Depressive Disorder according to DSM-IV-TR established through administration of SCID I.