A meta-analysis of anxiety symptom prevention with cognitive-behavioral interventions

This meta-analysis assessed efficacy of cognitive-behavioral interventions in preventing anxiety symptoms. A systematic review identified 15 independent pretest–posttest randomized or quasi-randomized efficacy trials for analysis. At posttest, intervention groups demonstrated significantly greater symptom reduction compared to control groups resulting in weighted mean effect sizes (Hedges’ g) of 0.25 for general anxiety, 0.24 for disorder-specific symptoms, and 0.22 for depression after the removal of outliers. These effects appeared to diminish over 6- and 12-month follow-up. Exploratory moderator analyses indicated that individually administered media interventions were more effective than human-administered group interventions at preventing general anxiety and depression symptoms. Implications of current findings are discussed with attention to existing gaps in the literature.

Research highlights► Systematic review revealed 15 independent efficacy trials for analysis. ► Cognitive-behavioral anxiety prevention programs reveal small to moderate effects. ► Preventive effects of these interventions diminished over 6- and 12-month follow-up. ► Media interventions were superior human interventions in preventing general anxiety. ► The literature examining anxiety prevention is small but existing data show promise.