Inclusion and exclusion criteria for the included studies
| Study | Inclusion criteria | Exclusion criteria |
|---|---|---|
| De Lima et al. (86) (2019) | GAD diagnosis (DSM-5) Age 20–30 yr | Psychotherapy or hospitalization indication from the psychiatrist at the beginning of the study |
| Deppermann et al. (115) (2014) | Age 18–65 yr PD with or without agoraphobia (DSM-IV-TR) | Severe somatic disorders |
| Diefenbach et al. (116) (2016) | Age > 18 yr GAD as principal or coprincipal disorder HAM-A and HAM-D cut-off | Unstable medical/psychiatric condition (e.g., thyroid disease, suicidality) Current PTSD Substance use disorder Lifetime bipolar, psychotic, developmental or obsessive–compulsive disorder Concurrent psychotherapy |
| Dilkov et al. (87) (2017) | Age 18–65 yr GAD primary diagnosis (DSM-IV) | Diagnosis of psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder I, MDD or substance/alcohol dependence in the 6 months before the study Severe axis II disorder Suicidal Severe or unstable medical conditions ECT treatment in the previous 3 mo TMS treatment in the previous 6 mo |
| Herrmann et al. (117) (2017) | Specific phobia (acrophobia) diagnosis (DSM-IV) Subjective motivation to do something about their fear (at least 3 on a scale of 0–10; extreme motivation) Motion sickness with 3D movies < 4 (scale of 0–10) | Heights treatment in the previous 6 mo Concurrent involvement in psycho-or pharmacotherapy |
| Huang et al. (118) (2018) | Age 18–65 yr GAD primary diagnosis (DSM-IV) Insomnia for at least 3 months | History of psychiatric diseases except GAD Concurrent psychotherapy or counselling |
| Mantovani et al. (119) (2013) | Age 18–65 yr PD and MDD primary diagnosis (DSM-IV-TR) Current episode duration of at least a month Residual panic attack and MDD symptoms despite medication Stable medication for 4 wk Stable psychotherapy for 3 mo | Suicide risk History of bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder or substance dependance/abuse in the previous year |
| Movahed et al. (120) (2018) | Age 18–55 yr GAD diagnosis (DSM-5) 5 points or higher on the 7-item GAD scale | Previous mental illness Current physical illness Current psychological or pharmacological medication |
| Nasiri et al. (121) (2020) | Age 18–40 yr GAD primary diagnosis (DSM-5) Comorbid MDD diagnosis (DSM-5) No medication use Speaks Persian fluently Ability to participate in all assessment and treatment sessions | Need for immediate medical/therapeutic intervention Received no more than 8 sessions of CBT-based intervention within the last 5 yr Psychiatric disorder/substance abuse Current diagnosis of mental disorders Opposition to collaboration at any point in research Suicidality History of other psychological treatment |
| Notzon et al. (88) (2015) | Age 18–65 yr Spider phobia (DSM-IV-TR) At least 16 on the SPQ | Severe somatic disorder History of psychiatric disorders except for specific phobia Psychiatric or psychotropic medication |
| Prasko et al. (122) (2007) | ICD-10 PD with or without agoraphobia Nonresponders to SRIs (at least 6 wk) Age 18–45 yr | MDD Suicidality HAM-D score > 16 Organic psychiatric disorder History of psychotic disorder in history Abuse of alcohol or other drugs Serious somatic disease Using nonprescribed medication |
CBT = cognitive behavioural therapy; DSM = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; ECT = electroconvulsive therapy; GAD = generalized anxiety disorder; HAM-A = Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale; HAM-D = Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; MDD = major depressive disorder; NR = not reported; PD = panic disorder; PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder; SP = specific phobia; SPQ = Spider Phobia Questionnaire; SRI = serotonin reuptake inhibitor; TMS = transcranial magnetic stimulation; TR = text revision.