Cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in treating anxiety disorders.
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 93/100
Extensive empirical evidence, including multiple meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials, demonstrates that cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders.
Evidence for · 5
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety and Related Disorders: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials
2018 · cited by 682
A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials demonstrates that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is moderately efficacious in treating anxiety-related disorders compared to placebo.
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More for · 4
Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder in Older Adults: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression.
2016 · cited by 120
A systematic review and meta-analysis of older adults confirms that CBT significantly reduces the severity of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) compared to waitlist or treatment-as-usual controls.
Remote cognitive‐behavioral therapy for generalized anxiety disorder: A preliminary meta‐analysis
2022 · cited by 16
A meta-analysis evaluating remote CBT delivery for GAD shows large within-group and medium between-group effect sizes, supporting its ongoing efficacy across formats.
Longitudinal Association Between Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Cognitive Change: A Meta-Analysis.
2026 · cited by 0
A longitudinal meta-analysis indicates that GAD patients receiving CBT demonstrate greater improvement in clinical symptoms than those receiving non-cognitive interventions.
Comparative effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on depression and anxiety in aging populations: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
2026 · cited by 0
A network meta-analysis of non-pharmacological interventions in older adults shows that CBT exhibits statistically significant advantages over waitlists for managing anxiety.