Patient and therapist experiences of exposure therapy for anxiety-related disorders in pregnancy: qualitative analysis of a feasibility trial of intensive versus weekly CBT.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Approximately 15% of pregnant women experience anxiety disorders. Effective treatments exist but their acceptability during pregnancy, particularly exposure therapy, is not known.

Aims

To understand patient and therapist experiences of time-intensive and weekly exposure-based therapy for anxiety disorders delivered during pregnancy. Trial registration: ISRCTN81203286.

Method

In-depth interviews were conducted with patients and therapists who had taken part in a feasibility trial of predominantly online time-intensive versus weekly cognitive-behavioural therapy in pregnancy in a primary care setting in the UK. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

In total, 45 women participating in the trial and 6 therapists who had delivered

SUBMITTER: Challacombe FL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10594159 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature