Avaliação da eficácia de um protocolo de tratamento cognitivo – comportamental em grupo para transtorno de ansiedade generalizada

Abstract

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) has as its main symptom a constant and excessive concern. This worry comes alongside physical symptoms related to autonomic hyperactivity and muscle tension. In GAD, the concerns are built up in unreal ways or disproportional to the real situation making a great impact on the individual's quality of life. Different studies point that Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy is a possible treatment for GAD with satisfactory results and sound relief of symptoms. The present study has aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a protocol for the cognitive-behavioral treatment of GAD which focuses on decreasing the intolerance to uncertainty and interpersonal issues, associated with relaxation techniques as well. The protocol consisted of ten therapy sessions that happened once a week. Thirty individuals who enrolled online participated in the survey, twenty-four of which finished all the steps of the investigation. For this assessment, a randomized clinical trial composed of three groups (experimental, wait for the list control group, and comparison

group) was conducted. The following instruments have been applied pre and post- intervention: Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Penn State

Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD - 7). As for results, the experimental group showed a decrease in the level of worry, anxiety, and depression when pre and post-treatment scores were compared, whereas the wait list control group did not show any reduction. This research is somehow limited due to the low number of participants. However, the findings are promising and are aligned with other studies about the treatment for GAD, besides proposing a protocol for the cognitive-behavioral treatment of GAD in groups designed for the Brazilian young population.