Penn State Worry Questionnaire

Meyer, T. J., Miller, M. L., Metzger, R. L., Borkovec, T. D. (1990). Development and validation of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 28, 487-495. 

A general and persistent anxiety with nervousness and other symptoms is termed generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). It can lead to a chronic condition exacerbated by stressful events. Benzodiazepines are commonly used in treatment but they cause sedation, and long-term use may induce dependence or abuse. A second study (Woelk and Schlafke, 2010) compared the effects of Silexan with lorazepam in 78 patients with GAD. Over a 6-week period, they were administered daily either one Silexan capsule with a lorazepam placebo or a 0.5 mg lorazepam capsule and a Silexan placebo. Assessments were based on HAMA, HSQ, SAS, CGI, and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. Results showed that the total HAMA score decreased by 45% and 46% in the Silexan and lorazepam groups, respectively. Other assessment scores improved to a similar extent for both groups. It was concluded that both Silexan and lorazepam had comparable positive effects in adults with GAD (Woelk and Schlafke, 2010). 

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