Psychosocial Interventions in Adults with Anxiety Disorder: A Systematic Review of Guidelines

Chuxian Huang¹Xiao Liu¹Yue Liu¹Chen Luo²Jiajia Cai¹Yanmei Wang³Jue Chen^1*Zhong Ying SHI^1*Xiaochao Jin^4*

• ¹Shanghai Mental Health Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
• ²Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Nursing Department, General Surgery, Shanghai, China
• ³Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nursing Department, Shanghai, China
• ⁴Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, General Psychiatry Department of Nursing Department, Shanghai, China

Introduction: This systematic review summarizes the recommendations related to psychosocial interventions for anxiety disorders included in existing guidelines and compares their differences. Methods: Computer-based searches were conducted to identify relevant guidelines on psychosocial interventions for anxiety disorders from domestic and international guideline websites, professional association websites, and other relevant databases. The guidelines’ quality was evaluated using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) tool. Results: Fourteen guidelines from nine countries were included, with AGREE II scores ranging between 64.4%–96.3%. The specific recommendations were synthesized into a single evidence map, revealing that cognitive behavioral therapy demonstrated strong support for treating generalized anxiety, panic, and social anxiety disorders. Conversely, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, exposure therapy, and virtual reality exposure therapy were not recommended for panic disorder. Additionally, no guidelines provided any recommendations for psychosocial interventions for separation anxiety disorder. Discussion: Guidelines on psychosocial interventions for adult anxiety disorders vary remarkably concerning their quality and recommended suggestions. Future guideline development or updates should strictly adhere to standardized development processes. Additionally, researchers should double their efforts to continuously explore and validate the efficacy of various psychosocial interventions in anxiety populations.