Efficacy of Unified Protocol for Trans-diagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorder Program for Panic Disorder Patients in Peshawar

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the efficacy of the Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP‑TTED) in reducing the severity of panic disorder among patients in Peshawar. A pre‑test–post‑test control group experimental design was employed. A total of 40 participants diagnosed with panic disorder according to DSM‑5 criteria were recruited through purposive sampling from the outpatient department of Naseerullah Khan Baber Memorial Hospital, Peshawar. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). The experimental group received twelve weekly sessions of cognitive‑behavioral therapy based on the Unified Protocol, while the control group received pharmacological treatment only. The Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) was administered at baseline and after three months. The findings revealed a statistically significant reduction in panic disorder severity in the experimental group compared to the control group, suggesting that the Unified Protocol is an effective transdiagnostic intervention for panic disorder.