Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study further evaluates the efficacy of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP). A diagnostically heterogeneous clinical sample of 37 patients with a principal anxiety disorder diagnosis was enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving up to 18 sessions of treatment and a 6-month follow-up period. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either immediate treatment with the UP (n = 26) or delayed treatment, following a 16-week wait-list control period (WLC; n = 11). The UP resulted in significant improvement on measures of clinical severity, general symptoms of depression and anxiety, levels of negative and positive affect, and a measure of symptom interference in daily functioning across diagnoses. In comparison, participants in the WLC condition exhibited little to no change following the 16-week wait-list period. The effects of UP treatment were maintained over the 6-month follow-up period. Results from this RCT provide additional evidence for the efficacy of the UP in the treatment of anxiety and comorbid depressive disorders, and provide additional support for a transdiagnostic approach to the treatment of emotional disorders.

► We further evaluate the efficacy of the UP in a randomized controlled trial.. ► The UP was effective in treating a range of anxiety disorders. ► Treatment resulted in improvement in both principal and comorbid disorders. ► Participants continue to show improvements 6 months following the end of treatment. ► Results support the UP as a transdiagnostic treatment for anxiety disorders.