Sensitivity to change and minimal clinically important difference of the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7)
Abstract
Background Effective treatment requires regular follow-up and monitoring of symptoms. We investigated sensitivity to change and minimal clinically important difference of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7).Methods This study included all participants from a multisite trial of chronic depression. Baseline and follow-up (12 and 48 weeks) data were used to assess treatment response. Effect sizes (ES) and standardized response means (SRM) of pre- and post-GAD-7 mean changes were calculated for subgroups of patients, who did or did not improve according to ratings in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-24).Results N = 261 patients were included in the analyses. In the subgroup of patients who improved according to HRSD-24, GAD-7 scores were significantly lower after 12 weeks (t = -6.31, df = 120, p < .001; ES = -0.51, SRM = -0.57), and 48 weeks of treatment (t = -12.68, df = 141, p < .001; ES = -1.0, SRM = -1.7), when compared to admission. In the group who worsened, GAD-7 scores were significantly higher after 12 weeks (t = 2.96, df = 41, p = .005; ES = 0.30, SRM = 0.46), and increased after 48 weeks (t = 1.99, df = 21, p = .059; ES = 0.37, SRM = 0.43), when compared to baseline. The unchanged group showed no significant difference between baseline and follow-up. MCID was estimated 4 points on the GAD-7 total score.Limitations Confirmation of these findings and further investigation of the GAD-7 in populations and trials focusing on anxiety-specific treatment is highly recommended.Conclusions Results show that the GAD-7 is sensitive to detect change in psychopathology over the course of treatment.
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The minimal clinically important difference for GAD-7 was 3.8, and the clinically relevant change was ≥4 points.
“The minimal clinically important difference for GAD-7 was 3.8; the clinically relevant change was ≥4 points [51].”
From Clinical Efficacy and Psychological Mechanisms of an App-Based Digital Therapeutic for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial (2021) · cites this paper as [51]
The observed change in anxiety (GAD-7 = 3.2 ± 4.5) met the minimal clinically important difference estimated at 4 points on the GAD-7 total score.
“This change met the level of minimal clinical important difference (MCID), which is estimated at 4 points on the GAD-7 total score [30].”
From The Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 on Older Adults with Cancer: A Rapid Review (2022) · cites this paper as [30]
The minimal clinically important difference for the GAD-7 total score is estimated at 4 points.
“which is estimated at 4 points on the GAD-7 total score [30].”
From The Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 on Older Adults with Cancer: A Rapid Review (2022) · cites this paper as [30]
Anxiety will be measured with the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7).
“Anxiety will be measured with the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7; range, 0–21; higher scores indicate greater severity) [25].”
The study observed clinically meaningful improvements in both anxiety and depression, with reductions in GAD-7 (-5.04) and PHQ-9 (-5.64) higher than the MCID for both conditions (3.8 and 5, respectively).
“As noted above, we observed clinically meaningful improvements in both anxiety and depression, with reductions in GAD-7 (− 5.04) and PHQ-9 (− 5.64) higher than the MCID for both conditions (3.8 and 5, respectively) [66, 67].”
From Telerehabilitation of acute musculoskeletal multi-disorders: prospective, single-arm, interventional study (2022) · cites this paper as [66]
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“The GAD-7 includes seven items based on seven core symptomsand inquires the frequencywithwhich respondents suffered from these symptoms within the last 2 weeks.(24) Respondents report their symptoms using a four-item Likert rating scale ranging from zero (not at all) to three (almost every day).”
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“Consistent with a study by Toussaint, a GAD-7 score ≥ 5 was considered to indicate the existence of anxiety symptoms (Toussaint et al., 2020).”
ResultHuang, Y., Wang, Y., Zeng, L., Yang, J., Song, X., Rao, W., Li, H., Ning, Y., He, H., Li, T., et al. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.568329 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
“These self-reported scales have good reliability and validity for measuring psychological status (11, 22, 23).”
BackgroundBhatia, A., Kara, J., Janmohamed, T., Prabhu, A., Lebovic, G., Katz, J., & Clarke, H. (2021) · JMIR mHealth and uHealth · doi:10.2196/26528 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
“These reductions have clinical significance, given that the minimum clinically important difference in values for the GAD-7 and PCS (–4 for GAD-7 [50] and 38% for PCS [51]) is within the 95% confidence interval of the outcome reduction.”
BackgroundInfluentialVan Lieshout, R. J., Layton, H., Savoy, C. D., Brown, J. S. L., Ferro, M. A., Streiner, D. L., Bieling, P. J., Feller, A., & Hanna, S. (2021) · JAMA Psychiatry · doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.2488 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Hornstein, S., Forman‐Hoffman, V. L., Nazander, A., Ranta, K., & Hilbert, K. (2021) · Digital Health · doi:10.1177/20552076211060659 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
“30,31 This dichotomization of the outcome was chosen to align with past approaches that also classi fi ed outcomes.”
MethodXu, W., Lin, L., Ding, K., Ke, Y.-F., Huang, J.-H., Hou, C., Jia, F., & Wang, S. (2021) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.07.063 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Predictors of Anxiety in the COVID-19 Pandemic from a Global Perspective: Data from 23 Countries
Burkova, V. N., Butovskaya, M., Randall, A. K., Fedenok, J. N., Ahmadi, K., AlGhraibeh, A. M. A., Allami, F. B. M., Alpaslan, F. S., Al-Zu’bi, M. A. A., Biçer, D. F., et al. (2021) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su13074017 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
“The increase in anxiety has resulted in an increase of both physical and psychological symptoms, such as feeling nervous, fearful, tense palpitations, hyperventilation and rapid breathing [20,21].”
Elhadi, M., Buzreg, A., Bouhuwaish, A. E. M., Khaled, A., Alhadi, A., Msherghi, A. A. A., Alsoufi, A., Alameen, H., Biala, M. I., Elgherwi, A., et al. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.570435 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Wu, J., Huang, Z., Chen, Y., Chen, Y., Pan, Z., & Gu, Y. (2021) · BMC Oral Health · doi:10.1186/s12903-021-01916-2 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Verduzco-Aguirre, H. C., Babu, D. S., Mohile, S. G., Bautista, J., Xu, H., Culakova, E., Canin, B. E., Zhang, Y., Wells, M., Epstein, R. M., et al. (2020) · Journal of Pain and Symptom Management · doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.08.012 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
“(21) Based on prior studies, minimal clinically important differences (MCID) were 3 points, 4-5 points, 2 points, 4-7 points and 1-2 points respectively for GAD-7, GDS-15, Distress Thermometer, FACT-G, and emotional well-being.(22-25)”
MethodResultHirsch, C. R., Krahé, C., Whyte, J., Krzyzanowski, H., Meeten, F., Norton, S., & Mathews, A. (2021) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/ccp0000660 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
International consensus on patient-centred outcomes in eating disorders
Austin, A., de Silva, U., Ilesanmi, C., Likitabhorn, T., Miller, I., Fialho, M. D. L. S., Austin, S. B., Caldwell, B., Chew, C. S. E., Chua, S. N., et al. (2023) · The Lancet Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(23)00265-1 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Nonpharmacological management of psychological distress in people with COPD
Volpato, E., Farver-Vestergaard, I., Brighton, L. J., Peters, J. B., Verkleij, M., Hutchinson, A., Heijmans, M., & von Leupoldt, A. (2023) · European Respiratory Review · doi:10.1183/16000617.0170-2022 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Rifkin-Zybutz, R. P., Erridge, S., Holvey, C., Coomber, R., Gaffney, J., Lawn, W., Barros, D. A. R., Bhoskar, U., Mwimba, G., Praveen, K., et al. (2023) · Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1007/s00213-023-06399-3 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
“GAD-7 has been shown to be sensitive to change with a minimally clinically significant difference of 4 (Toussaint et al. 2020).”
BackgroundInfluentialThe effect of anxiety on thriving levels of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Şahin, S., & Tuna, R. (2021) · Collegian Journal of the Royal College of Nursing Australia · doi:10.1016/j.colegn.2021.10.004 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Patient-reported outcomes for people with diabetes: what and how to measure? A narrative review
Terwee, C. B., Elders, P. J. M., Blom, M. T., Beulens, J. W. J., Rolandsson, O., Rogge, A. A., Rose, M., Harman, N., Williamson, P. R., Pouwer, F., et al. (2023) · Diabetologia · doi:10.1007/s00125-023-05926-3 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Bentley, K. H., Sakurai, H., Lowman, K. L., Rines-Toth, L., McKowen, J. W., Pedrelli, P., Evins, A. E., & Yule, A. M. (2021) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.01.005 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
“, 2006) are brief, widely-used self-report screening tools for depression and anxiety (Dear et al., 2011; Titov et al., 2011; Toussaint et al., 2020; Zimmerman, 2019).”
MethodGraziano, S., Boldrini, F., Righelli, D., Milo, F., Lucidi, V., Quittner, A. L., & Tabarini, P. (2021) · Pediatric Pulmonology · doi:10.1002/ppul.25413 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
“The MID score of 4 points, in either direction, has been established as a clinically meaningful change.(26) The Italian version of this instrument was used.”
MethodMinhas, M., Belisario, K. L., González‐Roz, A., Halladay, J. E., Murphy, J. G., & MacKillop, J. M. (2021) · Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research · doi:10.1111/acer.14624 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Su, Y., Wang, S., Zheng, H., Tan, W., Li, X., Huang, Z., Hou, C., & Jia, F. (2021) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.04.047 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
DeGraba, T. J., Williams, K., Koffman, R. L., Bell, J. L., Pettit, W., Kelly, J. P., Dittmer, T. A., Nussbaum, G. F., Grammer, G. G., Bleiberg, J., et al. (2021) · Frontiers in Neurology · doi:10.3389/fneur.2020.580182 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Popescu, C., Golden, G. M., Benrimoh, D. A., Tanguay-Sela, M., Slowey, D., Lundrigan, E., Williams, J. D., Desormeau, B., Kardani, D., Pérez, T., et al. (2021) · JMIR Formative Research · doi:10.2196/31862 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
“Patients identified other clinical comorbidities, such as migraines (2/14, 14% of patients) and anxiety disorders (7/14, 50% of patients), which are described in detail in Multimedia Appendix 1 [10,11,20,25-32], Table S2.”
BackgroundRoy, A., Hoge, E. A., Abrante, P., Druker, S., Liu, T., & Brewer, J. A. (2021) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/26987 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Chang, Y., Jiang, X., Dou, J., Xie, R., Zhao, W., Cao, Y., Gao, J., Yao, F., Wu, D., Mei, H., et al. (2024) · Journal of Hazardous Materials · doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135814 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Robison, R., Lafrance, A., Brendle, M., Smith, M., Moore, C., Ahuja, S., Richards, S., Hawkins, N., & Strahan, E. (2022) · Journal of Eating Disorders · doi:10.1186/s40337-022-00588-9 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
“The minimal clinically significant change on the GAD-7 was defined as a 4-point change [35].”
MethodCosta, F., Janela, D., Molinos, M., Lains, J., Francisco, G. E., Bento, V., & Dias Correia, F. (2022) · BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders · doi:10.1186/s12891-021-04891-5 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Biswas, S., & Biswas, A. (2021) · Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1007/s10389-020-01431-8 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Mao, F., Sun, Y., Wang, J., Huang, Y., Lu, Y., & Cao, F. (2021) · Asian Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102873 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Behm, A. C., Hüsing, P., Löwe, B., & Toussaint, A. C. (2021) · Comprehensive Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152265 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Self-citationFisher, K., Markle‐Reid, M., Ploeg, J., Bartholomew, A., Griffith, L. E., Gafni, A., Thabane, L., & Yous, M. (2020) · Journal of Comorbidity · doi:10.1177/2235042x20963390 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Gupta, M., Malik, T., & Sinha, C. (2022) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/36910 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
“Clinically meaningful effect size is defined as at least 4.0 points for the GAD-7 [78].”
BackgroundInfluentialSpiller, T. R., Méan, M., Ernst, J., Sazpinar, O., Gehrke, S., Paolercio, F., Petry, H., Pfaltz, M. C., Morina, N., Aebischer, O., et al. (2020) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291720003128 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“The minimal clinically important difference was defined as four points for the GAD-7 (Toussaint et al., 2020) and as five points for the PHQ-9 (Löwe, Unützer, Callahan, Perkins, & Kroenke, 2004).”
MethodInfluentialBryant, R. A., Dawson, K. S., Keyan, D., Azevedo, S., Yadav, S., Tran, J., Rawson, N., & Harvey, S. B. (2021) · Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics · doi:10.1159/000520283 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Fleming, M., Smejka, T., Macey, E., Luengo-Fernandez, R., Henry, A., Robinson, B., Kyle, S., Espie, C., & Johansen-Berg, H. (2023) · medRxiv · doi:10.1111/jsr.13971 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
“Mean (standard deviation) days between assessments did not differ between groups TABLE 2 ITT analysis of primary outcome (SCI-8 post-intervention) follow-up (PHQ-9: 32% versus 15%, χ 2 [1] = 2.73, p = 0.099; GAD-7: 35% versus 15%, χ 2 [1] = 3.588, p = 0.058).”
BackgroundInfluentialKerber, A., Beintner, I., Burchert, S., & Knaevelsrud, C. (2023) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/45068 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Benjet, C. L., Albor, Y., Alvis–Barranco, L., Contreras‐Ibáñez, C. C., Montoya, G. P. C., Cudris–Torres, L., González, N., Morelos, J. C., Gutiérrez–García, R. A., Medina‐Mora, M. E., et al. (2023) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/ccp0000846 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Palmer, C. E., Marshall, E., Millgate, E., Warren, G., Ewbank, M., Cooper, E., Lawes, S., Bouazzaoui, M., Smith, A., Hutchins-Joss, C., et al. (2025) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/69351 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
“The threshold for a clinically meaningful reduction in symptoms was defined as a change greater than the reliable change index of the GAD-7 scale (minimum of a 4-point reduction) [54].”
Arts on prescription: observed changes in anxiety, depression, and well-being across referral cycles
Sumner, R. C., Crone, D., Hughes, S., & James, D. V. B. (2021) · Public Health · doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2020.12.008 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
MacKinnon, A., Simpson, K. M., Salisbury, M. R., Bobula, J., Penner-Goeke, L., Berard, L., Rioux, C., Giesbrecht, G., Giuliano, R. J., Lebel, C., et al. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.880972 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“Anxiety was measured using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD7), where scores ≥10 indicate clinically significant symptoms (53), and a 4 point reduction represents clinically significant change (54).”
MethodNetwork structure of mobile phone addiction and anxiety symptoms among rural Chinese adolescents
Wang, J., Luo, Y., Yan, N., Wang, Y., Shiferaw, B. D., Tang, J., Pei, Y., Chen, Q., Zhu, Y., & Wang, W. (2023) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-023-04971-x · Cited by 29 · see citing works
“Abbreviations MPAI Mobile Phone Addiction Index scale GAD-7 The Chinese version of the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Inventory PSQI Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale SD Standard Deviation Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi. org/10.1186/s12888-023-0…”
MethodInfluentialLee, C., Round, J. M., Hanlon, J. G., Hyshka, E., Dyck, J. R. B., & Eurich, D. T. (2021) · The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/07067437211043393 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Lieshout, R. J. V., Layton, H., Savoy, C. D., Xie, F., Brown, J. S. L., Huh, K., Bieling, P., Streiner, D. L., Ferro, M. A., & Haber, E. (2023) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291723000454 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“In accordance with previous research, ⩾ 4 point change in GAD-7 score was defined as clinically significant (Toussaint et al., 2020).”
MethodPsychosocial Consequences of Hand Eczema—A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study
Zalewski, A., Krajewski, P. K., & Szepietowski, J. C. (2023) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm12175741 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
The Differential Role of Coping, Physical Activity, and Mindfulness in College Student Adjustment
Moeller, R. W., Seehuus, M., Simonds, J., Lorton, E., Randle, T. S., Richter, C., & Peisch, V. D. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01858 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Stellate Ganglion Block Reduces Anxiety Symptoms by Half: A Case Series of 285 Patients
Lynch, J. H., Mulvaney, S. W., Bryan, C. J., & Hernandez, D. (2023) · Journal of Personalized Medicine · doi:10.3390/jpm13060958 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“The MCID was calculated using a distribution-based approach [36], with GAD-7 change scores ≥ 4—approximately one standard deviation of the baseline mean score—set as the MCID threshold [37].”
MethodYao, K., Chen, P., Zhou, H., Ruan, J., Chen, D., Yang, X., & Zhou, Y. (2023) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-023-05348-w · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“The degree of anxiety was assessed by the Chinese version of the 7-items self-report Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) [46, 47].”
MethodMobile Mindfulness Intervention for Psychological Distress Among Intensive Care Unit Survivors
Cox, C. E., Gallis, J. A., Olsen, M. K., Porter, L. S., Gremore, T. M., Greeson, J. M., Morris, C. D., Moss, M., & Hough, C. L. (2024) · JAMA Internal Medicine · doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.0823 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Cohen, A., Naslund, J. A., Lane, E., Bhan, A., Rozatkar, A. R., Mehta, U. M., Vaidyam, A. N., Byun, A. J. S., Barnett, I., & Torous, J. B. (2024) · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/acps.13712 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“30 Finally, our results provide estimates of the sample size necessary to validate these results in future studies.”
Parkash, V., Ashwin, H. M., Dey, S., Sádlová, J., Vojtková, B., Bocxlaer, K. V., Wiggins, R. C., David, T., Dey, N. S., Jaffe, C. L., et al. (2024) · Nature Medicine · doi:10.1038/s41591-024-03146-9 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
The Effects of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak on Medical Students
Bilgi, K., Aytaş, G., Karatoprak, U., Kazancıoğlu, R., & Özçelik, S. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.637946 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Carbajal, A. B., Navarro‐Flores, A., & Villarreal‐Zegarra, D. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.673945 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“Additionally, according to a survey using the COVISTRESS questionnaire, assessed in 67 countries of the five continents, the selfreported symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress increased by 21.62, 16.71, and 21.8%, respectively (Ugbolue et al., 2020).”
MethodInfluentialMedical cannabis use in Canada and its impact on anxiety and depression: A retrospective study
Sachedina, F., Chan, C., Damji, R. S., & de Sanctis, O. J. (2022) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114573 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Demmin, D. L., Silverstein, S. M., & Shors, T. J. (2022) · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnhum.2022.847301 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“Score changes of four points or more on the GAD-7 are considered clinically significant (Toussaint et al., 2020).”
BackgroundZhang, H., Zhang, X., Jiang, X., Dai, R., Zhao, N., Pan, W., Guo, J., Fan, J., & Bao, S. (2024) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-024-08139-0 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“We selected the PHQ-9 depression and GAD-7 anxiety scales because they are believed to possess high reliability and validity and are widely used internationally as generic questionnaires for depression [25] and anxiety [26].”
MethodBeach, B., Steptoe, A., & Zaninotto, P. (2023) · PLoS Medicine · doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1004162 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Stress-induced red nucleus attenuation induces anxiety-like behavior and lymph node CCL5 secretion
Shi, D., Zhang, Y.-D., Zhang, S., Liao, B.-B., Chu, M., Su, S., Zhuo, K., Hu, H., Zhang, C., & Wang, Z. (2023) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-023-42814-1 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
The impact of asthma on mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19 lockdown
Higbee, D., Nava, G. W., Kwong, A. S. F., Dodd, J. W., & Granell, R. (2021) · European Respiratory Journal · doi:10.1183/13993003.04497-2020 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Hou, Y., Hou, W., Zhang, Y., Liu, W., & Chen, A. (2021) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.072 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Patel, A., Tapper, E. B., Kanwal, F., Woodrell, C. D., Hansen, L., Lai, J. C., Rogal, S. S., McDermott, C. L., Rakoski, M. O., & Ufere, N. N. (2023) · Hepatology Communications · doi:10.1097/hc9.0000000000000135 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“— Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7)[84] Observational[81] MCID: 4 points (out of 21) [261 patients with chronic depression][85]”
BackgroundZeng, H., Zeng, X., Xiong, N., Wang, L., Yang, Y., Wang, L., Li, H., & Zhao, W. (2024) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1339694 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Fatouros, P., Tsirmpas, C., Andrikopoulos, D., Kaplow, S., Kontoangelos, K. A., & Papageorgiou, C. (2025) · npj Digital Medicine · doi:10.1038/s41746-025-01511-7 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“Finally, minimal clinically important differences(MCID)werede fi nedaschangesofatleast5pointsforthePHQ-9 scores 101 and at least 4 points for the GAD-7 scores 102 .”
Burkova, V. N., Butovskaya, M., Randall, A. K., Fedenok, J. N., Ahmadi, K., AlGhraibeh, A. M. A., Allami, F. B. M., Alpaslan, F. S., Al-Zu’bi, M. A. A., Al-Mseidin, K. I., et al. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.805586 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Chiauzzi, E. J., Williams, A. A. A., Mariano, T. Y., Pajarito, S., Robinson, A. H., Kirvin-Quamme, A., & Forman‐Hoffman, V. L. (2024) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-024-05532-6 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“This is noteworthy given that these outcomes were two and three points greater, respectively, than the typically accepted change score cutoff of five and four points to define a clinically significant response on the PHQ-8 and GAD-7 measures, respectively [49, 50].”
Spilg, E. G., Kuk, H., Ananny, L., McNeill, K., LeBlanc, V., Bauer, B. A., Sood, A., & Wells, P. S. (2022) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0267240 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
The psychological impacts of COVID-19: a study of frontline physicians and nurses in the Arab world
Mahyijari, N., Badahdah, A. M., & Khamis, F. A. (2020) · Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/ipm.2020.119 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“Generalized anxiety disorder-7 scale (GAD-7) This is one of the most used scales to gauge anxiety in both research and clinical settings (Toussaint et al., 2020).”
Horn, A., Stangl, S., Parisi, S., Bauer, N., Roll, J., Löffler, C., Gágyor, I., Haas, K., Heuschmann, P. U., Langhorst, J., et al. (2023) · Stress and Health · doi:10.1002/smi.3226 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Verkleij, M., Appelman, I., Altenburg, J., Twisk, J. W. R., Quittner, A. L., & Haarman, E. G. (2021) · ERJ Open Research · doi:10.1183/23120541.00274-2021 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Þórarinsdóttir, K., Holmes, E. A., Hardarson, J., Stephenssen, E. S., Jonasdottir, M. H., Kanstrup, M., Singh, L., Hauksdóttir, A., Halldorsdottir, T., Guðmundsdóttir, B., et al. (2022) · JMIR Formative Research · doi:10.2196/37382 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
“A 4-point change on the GAD-7 is considered clinically significant [33].”
BackgroundRoukas, C., Miller, L., Büttner, F., Hamborg, T., Stagg, I., Hart, A., Gordeev, V. S., Lindsay, J. O., Norton, C. S., & Mihaylova, B. (2024) · United European Gastroenterology Journal · doi:10.1002/ueg2.12668 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
“16,17”
The Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 on Older Adults with Cancer: A Rapid Review
Verma, R., Kilgour, H. M., & Haase, K. R. (2022) · Current Oncology · doi:10.3390/curroncol29020053 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“This change met the level of minimal clinical important difference (MCID), which is estimated at 4 points on the GAD-7 total score [30].”
BackgroundBantjes, J. R., Hunt, X., Cuijpers, P. J., Kazdin, A. E., Kennedy, C. J., Luedtke, A. R., Malenica, I., Petukhova, M. V., Sampson, N. A., Zainal, N. H., et al. (2024) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2024.104554 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Zheng, F., Liu, S., Zhang, S., Yu, Q., Lo, W. L. A., Li, T., & Wang, C. (2022) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-022-06116-z · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Yuan, S., Zhu, T., Gu, J., Li, H., Sun, J., Deng, X., & Ran, J. (2025) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu17091582 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“Each item was rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (“not at all”) to 3 (“nearly every day”) [25,26].”
Psychometric Evidence of the 7-Item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire in Brazil
Monteiro, R. P., Nascimento, B. D. S., Monteiro, T. M. C., da Silva, P. D. G., & Ferreira, A. J. C. (2020) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-020-00423-9 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Moleirinho-Alves, P., Almeida, A., Exposto, F. G., Oliveira, R., & Pezarat‐Correia, P. (2021) · Journal of Oral Rehabilitation · doi:10.1111/joor.13239 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
(2023) · doi:10.2196/47350 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“%) of the users showed a reduction of ≥ 5 points (4 points is generally considered clinically significant [76]) in their anxiety levels.”
Murphy, M., Erridge, S., Holvey, C., Coomber, R., Rucker, J., & Sodergren, M. H. (2023) · Neuropsychopharmacology Reports · doi:10.1002/npr2.12407 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
“65,66 The SQS scale is a rapid self-reported assessment of sleep quality.”
BackgroundPet Attachment and Anxiety and Depression in Middle-Aged and Older Women
Żebrowska, M., Strohmaier, S., Huttenhower, C., Eliassen, A. H., Zeleznik, O. A., Westgarth, C., Huang, T., Laden, F., Hart, J. E., ROSNER, B. A., et al. (2024) · JAMA Network Open · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.24810 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Chu, C., Lin, Y., Huang, C. C., Chung, Y., Park, S. Y., Chang, W., Chang, C.-C., & Chang, H. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.10.087 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Kunkle, S., Yip, M., Hunt, J. B., Watson, Ξ., Udall, D., Areán, P. A., Nierenberg, A. A., & Naslund, J. A. (2020) · JMIR Formative Research · doi:10.2196/24662 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
“As a secondary analysis for users who screened positive at follow-up and completed a full GAD-7 survey, we also looked at a clinically significant reduction in score, defined as a score reduction of >5 points [26-28].”
BackgroundXiao, W., Xu, H., Yu, W., Li, S., Li, R., Jin, Z., Tao, F., & Wan, Y. (2023) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2023.01.060 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Boden, L. M., Rodriguez, C., Kelly, J. D., Khalsa, A. S., & Casper, D. S. (2023) · JBJS Open Access · doi:10.2106/jbjs.oa.22.00114 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
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Vagus nerve stimulation therapy for treatment-resistant PTSD
Powers, M. B., Hays, S. A., Rosenfield, D., Al, P., Gallaway, H. L., Chauvette, G. V., Smits, J. A. J., Warren, A. M., Douglas, M., Naftalis, R. C., et al. (2025) · Brain stimulation · doi:10.1016/j.brs.2025.03.007 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“The Generalized Anxiety Disorder screener is a short questionnaire used to evaluate anxiety-related symptoms [36].”
- Authors
- Toussaint, A., Hüsing, P., Gumz, A., Wingenfeld, K., Härter, M., Schramm, E., & Löwe, B.
- Affiliations
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (DE)
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (DE)
- University of Freiburg (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Toussaint, Anne
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Affective Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2020-03
- Volume
- 265
- Pages
- 395-401
- ISSN
- 0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3000661394
- Cited by
- 641
- References
- 68
- Citations by year
- 2026: 134 · 2025: 138 · 2024: 113 · 2023: 99 · 2022: 68 · 2021: 59 · 2020: 30
- FWCI
- 61.87
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
- Keywords
- GAD-7, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, anxiety symptoms, chronic depression, sensitivity to change, minimal clinically important difference, standardized response mean, treatment response monitoring, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
- MeSH terms
- Minimal Clinically Important Difference, Patient Health Questionnaire, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Humans, Treatment Outcome
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
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