Summary: A focused four-day remedy for anxiety disorder has shown remarkable and enduring results, according to new study. Originally developed in Bergen and called Bergen 4-Day Treatment ( B4DT), this method delivers rapid relief, with nearly 90 % of patients reporting major improvement one week after therapy.
Long-term follow-up reports reveal that not only would people keep their benefits, but many continue to improve months after treatment. This short yet effective approach also reduces symptoms of basic anxiety and depression, suggesting wide benefits beyond panic disorder only.
Important Facts:
- Enduring Outcomes: Patients report yet better outcomes months after the 4-day therapy than soon after.
- Rapid Improvement: Almost 90 % experience distinct symptom relief within one year.
- Large Rewards: The
Origin: NTNU
Anxiety attacks can be extremely annoying and can cause extreme fear. If you experience these problems often, specialists call it anxiety disorder.
A method to cure the problem was developed some time ago in Bergen. It runs over four days and is called the Bergen 4-Day Treatment ( B4DT ).
Past research has confirmed that this therapy is a good method to quickly help people with anxiety disorder.
One year after treatment, about 90 per cent of people experience a clear progress.
But what about the long-term influence? New analysis has great news to report.
Incredible results
” It turns out that the development not only lingers, but it really gets stronger over time for many”, said Kristen Hagen, a psychologist and associate professor at NTNU. Hagen is the task manager and senior author of two experiments just published in BMC Psychiatry.
” With long-term follow-up, people report that they feel even better – than immediately after treatment and at the follow-up three times after”, says Hagen.
” The fact that people get yet better over time is merely remarkable”, he says.
The studies also show that the treatment not only reduces anxiety condition symptoms, but also signs of basic anxiety and depression.
Hagen says that despite the good effects of the experiments, they need to become confirmed with a larger number of patients.
How the therapy performs
Instead of dragging the cure over several months, the B4DT process is carried out carefully over four times in the same week.
Three to six people meet in organizations with a corresponding amount of therapists.
The individuals receive tailored care where they practice seeking out signs, situations and circumstances that can cause stress. The patient has generally avoided these circumstances for a long time.
In this treatment, people face the tough in a various and more acceptable manner. This gives people insight into the fact that it is the anxiety disorder and no real triggers that have made them fear conditions.
About 9 out of 10 individuals report tremendous improvement with this technique. They have little signs and function fairly well in everyday life later.
The method was developed to address obsessive-compulsive illness, but has been adapted to address other emotional problems such as anxiety disorder.
About this anxiety disorder studies news
Author: Nancy Bazilchuk
Source: NTNU
Contact: Nancy Bazilchuk – NTNU
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Start entry.
” The berg 4-day treatment for anxiety condition: a longer-term follow-up” by Kristen Hagen et cetera. BMC Psychiatry
Start access.
” The Bergen 4-Day Treatment for anxiety disorder sufferers in a rural medical building: a long-term follow-up research” by Kristen Hagen et cetera. BMC Psychiatry
Abstract
The bergen 4-day treatment for panic disorder: a longer-term follow-up
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 ).
Abstract
The Bergen 4-Day Treatment for panic disorder patients in a rural clinical setting: a long-term follow-up study
Background
The Bergen 4-Day Treatment ( B4DT ) is a concentrated cognitive behaviour therapy ( CBT ) approach that has shown promise in treating panic disorder ( PD). However, the effectiveness of the B4DT, particularly regarding long-term outcomes in rural clinical settings, remains underexplored.
Methods
A total of 58 patients were included using a naturalistic open-label trial design. Patients were assessed at 12-month follow-up. Measures included the Panic Disorder Severity Scale ( PDSS), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ( PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale ( GAD-7 ).
Results
The study revealed significant and lasting reductions in PD symptoms, with a high rate of remission maintained at 12-month follow-up ( 82.8 % ). Regarding the secondary outcomes, significant improvements in symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety were also shown.
Conclusions
The B4DT represents a promising treatment approach for PD, demonstrating stable long-term outcomes in rural settings. This finding supports the potential of concentrated CBT formats in achieving sustained symptom improvement in patients with PD, warranting further investigation and broader implementation.
Trial registration
The study was reviewed by the Regional Committee for Medical Research Ethics Northern Norway, REK North ( REK Nord2021/273145 ).
