Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran
2 Department of Psychology, Ne. C., Islamic Azad University, Neyshabur, Iran.
Abstract
Background and Objective: Panic disorder, with repeated unexpected attacks of panic and anxiety, disrupts the quality of life in the physical, psychological, social and environmental domains. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive therapy combined with physical exercises on the quality of life in people with panic symptoms.
Method: This study was applied in terms of purpose and quasi-experimental in terms of method (pre-test-post-test design with control group and one-month follow-up period). The research population included all individuals with panic symptoms referring to psychological clinics in Mashhad in 2024. For sampling, two clinics were identified using the convenience method and after administering the Albany Panic and Fear Questionnaire by Barlow and Zinbarg (1996), 30 of the referents were selected as samples and completed the 36-item Health Background Questionnaire (short form). The experimental group underwent ten sessions of 60-minute cognitive behavioral therapy in a group setting along with physical exercises. The data were evaluated using a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance test.
Findings: The results showed that the post-test scores of quality of life in the experimental and control groups were significantly different. Cognitive behavioral therapy combined with physical exercises improved the quality of life of people with panic disorder. This improvement continued until the follow-up phase.
Conclusion: The results of combining cognitive behavioral therapy and physical exercises to manage panic symptoms emphasize improving the quality of life of sufferers. Therapists and psychologists can use this combined approach to treat people with panic anxiety.
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