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Open Paper

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety Disorders: Digital Delivery, Virtual Reality, and Novel Interventions

1 - (OP7) A Feasibility Study of a Self-guided Mobile App-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention for Panic Disorder

Thursday, June 25, 2026
2:05 PM - 2:22 PM PDT
Location: Golden Gate C1, B2 Level
Keywords: Panic, CBT,
Recommended Readings: 15. Chong SO, Pedron S, Abdelmalak N, Laxy M, Stephan AJ. An umbrella review of effectiveness and efficacy trials for app-based health interventions. NPJ Digital Medicine. 2023;6(1):233. doi: 10.1038/s41746-023-00981-x,   ,   ,   ,  

    Author(s)

  • LZ

    Lan Zhang, M.D., Ph.D.

    Professor
    National Center for Mental Disorders, Mental Health Center,West China Hospital, Sichuan University
    Chengdu, Sichuan, China (People's Republic)

    • Co-Author(s)

  • XR

    Xiajin Ren, M.D., Ph.D.

    Doctor
    Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
    Chengdu, Shanxi, China (People's Republic)

  • JM

    Jing Ma, M.S.

    psychotherapist
    Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
    Chengdu, Sichuan, China (People's Republic)

  • YL

    Yang Liu, M.D.

    Doctor
    Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
    Chengdu, Sichuan, China (People's Republic)

  • JL

    Jiafeng Li, M.S.

    psychotherapist
    Mental Health Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
    Chengdu, Sichuan, China (People's Republic)

  • CL

    Chunfeng Liu, Ph.D.

    director
    Shanghai Thoven Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
    Shanghai, Shanghai, China (People's Republic)



Background: Therapist-delivered CBT is an effective treatment for panic disorder, yet access is limited in China. Fully self-guided mobile CBT could expand reach, but panic-focused evidence in Chinese clinical samples remains limited.

Objective: To examine preliminary changes in panic severity and anxiety symptoms following PanicFighter, a Chinese-language, fully self-guided mobile CBT program, and to summarize user experience and tolerability.

Methods: Adults with DSM-5 panic disorder were recruited from an outpatient psychiatry clinic and were unmedicated or on stable medication. Participants completed a 6-week fully self-guided mobile CBT program. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, week 6, and week 12 using PDSS-SR, GAD-7, HAMA, and STAI-S; safety was tracked with TESS and brief acceptability feedback was collected at week 6.

Results: Twenty-two participants initiated the program; sixteen completed assessments through week 12. PDSS-SR decreased from 12.56 at baseline to 4.19 at week 6 and 3.06 at week 12 (p <.001). Anxiety measures (GAD-7, HAMA, STAI-S) also improved over time (all p<.001). No serious adverse events were observed, and acceptability among completers was high.

Conclusions: A fully self-guided mobile CBT program was associated with marked reductions in panic severity and anxiety symptoms sustained to week 12, with favorable tolerability.

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participant will be able to know how to use digital technologies to treat patients with panic disorder.