psychiatrist

This work may not be copied, distributed, displayed, published, reproduced, transmitted, modified, posted, sold, licensed, or used for commercial purposes. By downloading this file, you are agreeing to the publisher’s Terms & Conditions.

Article

d-Cycloserine Augmentation of Behavioral Therapy for the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders: A Meta-Analysis

Allyson Bontempo, BS; Kaitlyn E. Panza, BA; and Michael H. Bloch, MD, MS

Published: April 15, 2012

Article Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of D-cycloserine augmentation of behavioral therapy for the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Data Sources and Study Selection: Using the search terms D-cycloserine AND anxiety disorders (MeSH), PubMed (1965-June 2011), PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched for randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of D-cycloserine augmentation of behavioral therapy for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders were defined as any disorder categorized as such in DSM-IV-TR.

Data Extraction: A random-effects model was used to calculate the standardized mean difference of change in anxiety rating scale scores with D-cycloserine augmentation compared to placebo, which was the primary outcome measure. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were used to examine the effects of D-cycloserine dosage and timing (relative to exposure therapy), diagnostic indication, number of therapy sessions, and trial methodological quality on D-cycloserine efficacy.

Results: Meta-analysis of 9 trials involving 273 subjects demonstrated a significant benefit from D-cycloserine augmentation (standardized mean difference = 0.46 [95% CI, 0.15 to 0.77], z = 2.89, P = .004). There was no evidence of publication bias, but a moderate, nonsignificant degree of heterogeneity between trials (I2 = 36%, Q = 12.6, df = 8, P = .12) was found. Secondary analyses yielded no significant findings.

Conclusions: D-Cycloserine appears to be an effective augmentation agent that enhances the effects of behavioral therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders. In contrast to a previous meta-analysis that examined D-cycloserine’s effects in both animals and humans, we found no evidence of an effect of dose number, dose timing, or dosage of D-cycloserine on reported efficacy in the ranges studied.

J Clin Psychiatry 2012;73(4):533-537

Volume: 73

Quick Links:

Continue Reading…

Subscribe to read the entire article

$40.00

Buy this Article as a PDF