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Egan SJ, Greene D, Callaghan T, Raghav S, Funk J, Badenbach T, Talam S, Kemp G, McEvoy P, Ehring T, Kopf-Beck J. Worry and rumination as a transdiagnostic target in young people: a co-produced systematic review and meta-analysis. Cogn Behav Ther 2024:1-24. [PMID: 38923912 DOI: 10.1080/16506073.2024.2369936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
PROTOCOL REGISTRATION PROSPERO (CRD42023408899).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Egan
- enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Discipline of Psychology, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Danyelle Greene
- Australian Institute for Business and Economics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Thomas Callaghan
- Discipline of Psychology, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Julia Funk
- Department of Psychology, LMU Munich, Munchen, Germany
| | | | | | - Georgia Kemp
- Independent Lived Experience Expert Consultant, UK
| | - Peter McEvoy
- enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Discipline of Psychology, Curtin School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Thomas Ehring
- Department of Psychology, LMU Munich, Munchen, Germany
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Kajastus K, Haravuori H, Kiviruusu O, Marttunen M, Ranta K. Associations of generalized anxiety and social anxiety with perceived difficulties in school in the adolescent general population. J Adolesc 2024; 96:291-304. [PMID: 37985185 DOI: 10.1002/jad.12275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), marked by excessive worry, and social anxiety disorder (SAD) are among the clinically most important anxiety disorders in the adolescent population. This study aimed to explore the associations between perceived difficulties in school and heightened levels of self-reported noncomorbid and comorbid GAD and SAD symptoms. METHODS Survey data of 37,905 Finnish upper secondary school students with a mean age of 17.33 years (SD = 0.63) were obtained from the School Health Promotion study, implemented in April and May 2015 in Finland. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine indicators of academic and social difficulties in school. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine multivariate associations between anxiety symptoms and difficulties in the school. The anxiety symptom thresholds were based on the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (≥10 points) for GAD-related symptoms and the Mini-SPIN (≥6 points) for SAD-related symptoms. RESULTS Self-reported generalized anxiety and social anxiety were both significantly associated with various perceived difficulties in school among this adolescent general population sample. Noncomorbid and comorbid GAD and SAD symptoms were both associated with an increased risk of academic and social difficulties, even when controlling for school performance. Comorbid symptoms were associated with significantly higher rates of social difficulties than noncomorbid symptoms of GAD or SAD. Furthermore, GAD symptoms were associated with a high risk for academic difficulties, irrespective of comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS Excessive worry, a defining feature of GAD, is central to school-related impairments among adolescents. The present study highlights the importance of school-based interventions for anxious adolescents. Interventions to improve adolescents'; school functioning should account for the interference of pathological worry related to GAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kati Kajastus
- Department of Psychology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Henna Haravuori
- HUS Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Mental Health Team, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Kiviruusu
- Mental Health Team, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mauri Marttunen
- HUS Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Klaus Ranta
- Department of Psychology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Zemestani M, Ezzati S, Nasiri F, Gallagher MW, Barlow DH, Kendall PC. A culturally adapted unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of anxiety disorders in adolescents (UP-A): a randomized waitlist-controlled trial. Psychol Med 2024; 54:385-398. [PMID: 37458212 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723001903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent and debilitating conditions that show high comorbidity rates in adolescence. The present article illustrates how Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Adolescents (UP-A) was adapted for Iranian adolescents with anxiety disorders. METHODS A total of 54 adolescents with comorbid anxiety disorders participated in a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial of group weekly sessions of either UP-A or waitlist control (WLC). Primary and process of change outcomes were assessed at baseline, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up. RESULTS Significant changes were observed over time on major DSM-5 anxiety disorder symptoms (F(2, 51) = 117.09, p < 0.001), phobia type symptoms (F(2, 51) = 100.67, p < 0.001), and overall anxiety symptoms (F(2, 51) = 196.29, p < 0.001), as well as on emotion regulation strategies of reappraisal (F(2, 51) = 17.03, p < 0.001), and suppression (F(2, 51) = 21.13, p < 0.001), as well as on intolerance of uncertainty dimensions including prospective (F(2, 51) = 74.49, p < 0.001), inhibitory (F(2, 51) = 45.94, p < 0.001), and total intolerance of uncertainty (F(2, 51) = 84.42, p < 0.001), in favor of UP-A over WLC. CONCLUSION Overall, results provide a cultural application of the UP-A and support the protocol as useful for improving anxiety disorders as well as modifying of emotion regulation strategies and intolerance of uncertainty dimensions in Iranian adolescents. Future directions and study limitations are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Zemestani
- Department of Psychology, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Saman Ezzati
- Department of Psychology, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Farzad Nasiri
- Department of Psychology, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
| | | | - David H Barlow
- Department of Psychology, Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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Etkin RG, Juel EK, Lebowitz ER, Silverman WK. Does Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Youth Anxiety Disorders Improve Social Functioning and Peer Relationships? Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2023; 26:1052-1076. [PMID: 37838627 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-023-00454-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Child and adolescent anxiety disorders (ADs) contribute to impairment in social functioning and peer relationships, exacerbating anxiety and related difficulties. The extent to which the AD treatment with the strongest evidence-base, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), improves social functioning and peer relationships is unclear. In this article, we report results of the first systematic narrative review of this topic. Randomized clinical trials of CBT for child and/or adolescent ADs were included if they used at least one measure of social functioning or peer relationships as a treatment outcome. Sixteen studies met our inclusion criteria. From each study, we extracted the sample characteristics, treatment arms, social and/or peer outcome measures, and statistical findings. Results show that social functioning and/or peer relationships improved over time in the majority of studies, highlighting an important aspect of treatment efficacy beyond anxiety reduction. There were also several treatment-specific effects, but considerable variability across studies' samples, methods, and findings, makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions about which specific treatments improve specific outcomes. We recommend next steps for research to reconcile these findings, including improved operationalization and standardization of social and peer outcomes, and research on treatment specificity and mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca G Etkin
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 S. Frontage Rd., New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Emily K Juel
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 S. Frontage Rd., New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Eli R Lebowitz
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 S. Frontage Rd., New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Wendy K Silverman
- Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 230 S. Frontage Rd., New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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Freeston MH. What if we have too many models of worry and GAD? Behav Cogn Psychother 2023; 51:559-578. [PMID: 37183586 DOI: 10.1017/s1352465822000649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark H Freeston
- School of Psychology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Lodewyk K, Bagnell A, Courtney DB, Newton AS. Review: Adverse event monitoring and reporting in studies of pediatric psychosocial interventions: a systematic review. Child Adolesc Ment Health 2023. [PMID: 37463769 DOI: 10.1111/camh.12661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse event monitoring in studies of psychotherapy is crucial to clinical decision-making, particularly for weighing of benefits and harms of treatment approaches. In this systematic review, we identified how adverse events are defined, measured, and reported in studies of psychosocial interventions for children with mental disorders. METHOD Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, and the Cochrane Library were searched from January 2011-January 2023, and Google Scholar from January 2011-February 2023. English language experimental and quasi-experimental studies that evaluated the efficacy or effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for childhood mental disorders were included. Information on the definition, assessment, and report of adverse events was extracted using a checklist based on Good Clinical Practice guidelines. RESULTS In this review, 117 studies were included. Studies most commonly involved treating anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder (32/117; 27%); 44% of the experimental interventions tested (52/117) were cognitive behavioral therapies. Adverse events were monitored in 36 studies (36/117; 31%) with a protocol used in 19 of these studies to guide monitoring (19/36; 53%). Twenty-seven different events were monitored across the studies with hospitalization the most frequently monitored (3/36; 8%). Event severity was fully assessed in 6 studies (17%) and partially assessed in 12 studies (33%). Only 4/36 studies (11%) included assessing events for cause. CONCLUSIONS To date, adverse events have been inconsistently defined, measured and reported in psychosocial intervention studies of childhood mental health disorders. Information on adverse events is an essential knowledge component for understanding the potential impacts and risks of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Darren B Courtney
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Viswanathan M, Wallace IF, Cook Middleton J, Kennedy SM, McKeeman J, Hudson K, Rains C, Vander Schaaf EB, Kahwati L. Screening for Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA 2022; 328:1445-1455. [PMID: 36219404 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2022.16303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Importance Anxiety in children and adolescents is associated with impaired functioning, educational underachievement, and future mental health conditions. Objective To review the evidence on screening for anxiety in children and adolescents to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. Data Sources PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and trial registries through July 19, 2021; references, experts, and surveillance through June 1, 2022. Study Selection English-language, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of screening; diagnostic test accuracy studies; RCTs of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or US Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmacotherapy; RCTs, observational studies, and systematic reviews reporting harms. Data Extraction and Synthesis Two reviewers assessed titles/abstracts, full-text articles, and study quality and extracted data; when at least 3 similar studies were available, meta-analyses were conducted. Main Outcomes and Measures Test accuracy, symptoms, response, remission, loss of diagnosis, all-cause mortality, functioning, suicide-related symptoms or events, adverse events. Results Thirty-nine studies (N = 6065) were included. No study reported on the direct benefits or harms of screening on health outcomes. Ten studies (n = 3260) reported the sensitivity of screening instruments, ranging from 0.34 to 1.00, with specificity ranging from 0.47 to 0.99. Twenty-nine RCTs (n = 2805) reported on treatment: 22 on CBT, 6 on pharmacotherapy, and 1 on CBT, sertraline, and CBT plus sertraline. CBT was associated with gains on several pooled measures of symptom improvement (magnitude of change varied by outcome measure), response (pooled relative risk [RR], 1.89 [95% CI, 1.17 to 3.05]; n = 606; 6 studies), remission (RR, 2.68 [95% CI, 1.48 to 4.88]; n = 321; 4 studies), and loss of diagnosis (RR range, 3.02-3.09) when compared with usual care or wait-list controls. The evidence on functioning for CBT was mixed. Pharmacotherapy, when compared with placebo, was associated with gains on 2 pooled measures of symptom improvement-mean difference (Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale mean difference, -4.0 [95% CI, -5.5 to -2.5]; n = 726; 5 studies; and Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale mean difference, -0.84 [95% CI, -1.13 to -0.55]; n = 550; 4 studies) and response (RR, 2.11 [95% CI, 1.58 to 2.98]; n = 370; 5 studies)-but was mixed on measures of functioning. Eleven RCTs (n = 1293) reported harms of anxiety treatments. Suicide-related harms were rare, and the differences were not statistically significantly different. Conclusions and Relevance Indirect evidence suggested that some screening instruments were reasonably accurate. CBT and pharmacotherapy were associated with benefits; no statistically significant association with harms was reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meera Viswanathan
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Ina F Wallace
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Jennifer Cook Middleton
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center
- Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Sara M Kennedy
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Joni McKeeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Kesha Hudson
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Caroline Rains
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
| | - Emily B Vander Schaaf
- Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| | - Leila Kahwati
- RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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Intolerance of uncertainty as a transdiagnostic vulnerability to anxiety disorders in youth. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03645-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Dickson SJ, Kuhnert RL, Lavell CH, Rapee RM. Impact of Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents with Anxiety Disorders on Global and Domain-Specific Functioning: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2022; 25:720-736. [PMID: 35794304 PMCID: PMC9622529 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-022-00402-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
A substantial empirical base supports the use of psychotherapy to alleviate anxiety symptoms and diagnoses in children and adolescents. However, focusing only on symptom or diagnostic reduction provides an incomplete picture of clinically meaningful efficacy given that anxiety disorders in this age group are integrally associated with problems in functioning. A systematic review and meta-analysis (N studies = 40, N participants = 3094) evaluating the impacts of psychotherapy for anxiety was conducted on the following outcomes: global functioning, social functioning, academic functioning, and school attendance. Randomised controlled trials with a passive control condition, a child and/or adolescent sample (7–17 years) with a primary anxiety diagnosis, and receiving anxiety-focused psychotherapy were eligible for inclusion if they reported suitable outcome data. Results from the meta-analysis indicated that from pre- to post-treatment, psychotherapy led to significant improvements in global functioning according to clinician (d = 1.55), parent (d = 0.67), and child (d = 0.31) reports and on social functioning according to parent (d = 0.51), but not child (d = 0.31) reports. The qualitative review provided preliminary support psychotherapy’s efficacy in increasing family functioning and school attendance, but not so much in enhancing academic performance. These results indicate that psychotherapy improves daily functioning in anxious children and adolescents. The study also highlighted the limited attention paid to measures of functioning in the empirical literature on treatment of childhood anxiety. Trial Registry: This study is registered with PROSPERO under the identification number CRD42021246565.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie J Dickson
- Centre for Emotional Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Rebecca-Lee Kuhnert
- Centre for Emotional Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Cassie H Lavell
- Centre for Emotional Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Ronald M Rapee
- Centre for Emotional Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
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Zemestani M, Didehban R, Comer JS, Kendall PC. Psychometric Evaluation of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale for Children (IUSC): Findings From Clinical and Community Samples in Iran. Assessment 2021; 29:993-1004. [PMID: 33682479 DOI: 10.1177/1073191121998769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study examined the psychometric properties of a Persian version of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale for Children (IUSC; Comer et al, 2009). METHOD Participating youth (n = 346) 8 to 18 years of age were nonreferred community youth (n = 279) or youth who met diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder (n = 67) and their parents. RESULTS Across child- and parent-report data, confirmatory factor analysis supported a shortened 12-item version of the IUSC, and the confirmatory factor analysis also confirmed a theory-driven correlated two-factor structure of the IUSC-12. (i.e., prospective/inhibitory IU). Results further supported reliability and validity of parent- and child-reports of the Persian IUSC-12 via evidence of internal consistency, 4-week retest, significant associations with established measures of internalizing problems, and the ability of the measure to reliably distinguish the clinical sample from the community sample. CONCLUSION Findings demonstrate sound psychometric properties of the Persian version of the IUSC-12 and provide additional support for the reliability and validity of the measure and its use in non-Western cultures. Findings are discussed in terms of implications for assessment, treatment, and study of anxiety and related internalizing problems in Iranian youth.
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Experiences of online exposure-based treatment with parental support for teenagers with excessive worry. COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPIST 2021. [DOI: 10.1017/s1754470x21000027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Worry is a common symptom that can become excessive and is related to several negative health outcomes. Our research group recently developed an online treatment for teenagers with excessive worry with a parallel programme for their parents. The treatment is characterized by a specific focus on exposure to uncertainty and other avoided stimuli, and includes a substantial amount of parental involvement. The aim of this study was to explore how teenagers and their parents experienced the treatment, especially how they perceived working independently with exposure tasks, parental involvement in the treatment programme, and a fixed treatment format. An experienced, independent clinical psychologist interviewed eight teenagers and nine parents in total. The verbatim transcripts were analysed with thematic analysis and two main themes emerged: ‘Seeing the worry in a new light’ and ‘Changing within a set format’, which both consisted of three subthemes. Based on the analysis, we concluded that teenagers can work actively with exposure and experience it as helpful even though it can be difficult and strange at first, and that parental involvement can be perceived as beneficial by both teenagers and their parents. While the online format placed a substantial responsibility on the families, and some would have wanted additional therapist support, working independently with one’s difficulties was acceptable.
Key learning aims
(1)
To learn about experienced benefits and obstacles of exposure in the treatment of worry.
(2)
To learn about teenagers’ experiences of working independently with exposure.
(3)
To consider the impact of parental involvement in psychological treatments for teenagers.
(4)
To consider pros and cons of online treatment for teenagers and their parents.
(5)
To consider the use of qualitative research approaches to inform further development of psychological treatments for teenagers with excessive worry.
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James AC, Reardon T, Soler A, James G, Creswell C. Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 11:CD013162. [PMID: 33196111 PMCID: PMC8092480 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013162.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous Cochrane Reviews have shown that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective in treating childhood anxiety disorders. However, questions remain regarding the following: up-to-date evidence of the relative efficacy and acceptability of CBT compared to waiting lists/no treatment, treatment as usual, attention controls, and alternative treatments; benefits across a range of outcomes; longer-term effects; outcomes for different delivery formats; and amongst children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and children with intellectual impairments. OBJECTIVES To examine the effect of CBT for childhood anxiety disorders, in comparison with waitlist/no treatment, treatment as usual (TAU), attention control, alternative treatment, and medication. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Common Mental Disorders Controlled Trials Register (all years to 2016), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO (each to October 2019), international trial registries, and conducted grey literature searches. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials of CBT that involved direct contact with the child, parent, or both, and included non-CBT comparators (waitlist/no treatment, treatment as usual, attention control, alternative treatment, medication). Participants were younger than age 19, and met diagnostic criteria for an anxiety disorder diagnosis. Primary outcomes were remission of primary anxiety diagnosis post-treatment, and acceptability (number of participants lost to post-treatment assessment), and secondary outcomes included remission of all anxiety diagnoses, reduction in anxiety symptoms, reduction in depressive symptoms, improvement in global functioning, adverse effects, and longer-term effects. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methodological procedures as recommended by Cochrane. We used GRADE to assess the quality of the evidence. MAIN RESULTS We included 87 studies and 5964 participants in quantitative analyses. Compared with waitlist/no treatment, CBT probably increases post-treatment remission of primary anxiety diagnoses (CBT: 49.4%, waitlist/no treatment: 17.8%; OR 5.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.90 to 7.60; n = 2697, 39 studies, moderate quality); NNTB 3 (95% CI 2.25 to 3.57) and all anxiety diagnoses (OR 4.43, 95% CI 2.89 to 6.78; n = 2075, 28 studies, moderate quality). Low-quality evidence did not show a difference between CBT and TAU in post-treatment primary anxiety disorder remission (OR 3.19, 95% CI 0.90 to 11.29; n = 487, 8 studies), but did suggest CBT may increase remission from all anxiety disorders compared to TAU (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.16 to 6.46; n = 203, 5 studies). Compared with attention control, CBT may increase post-treatment remission of primary anxiety disorders (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.33 to 3.89; n = 822, 10 studies, low quality) and all anxiety disorders (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.22 to 6.17; n = 378, 5 studies, low quality). There was insufficient available data to compare CBT to alternative treatments on post-treatment remission of primary anxiety disorders, and low-quality evidence showed there may be little to no difference between these groups on post-treatment remission of all anxiety disorders (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.35 to 2.23; n = 401, 4 studies) Low-quality evidence did not show a difference for acceptability between CBT and waitlist/no treatment (OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.41; n=3158, 45 studies), treatment as usual (OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.73 to 2.56; n = 441, 8 studies), attention control (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.49; n = 797, 12 studies) and alternative treatment (OR 1.58, 95% CI 0.61 to 4.13; n=515, 7 studies). No adverse effects were reported across all studies; however, in the small number of studies where any reference was made to adverse effects, it was not clear that these were systematically monitored. Results from the anxiety symptom outcomes, broader outcomes, longer-term outcomes and subgroup analyses are provided in the text. We did not find evidence of consistent differences in outcomes according to delivery formats (e.g. individual versus group; amount of therapist contact time) or amongst samples with and without ASD, and no studies included samples of children with intellectual impairments. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS CBT is probably more effective in the short-term than waiting lists/no treatment, and may be more effective than attention control. We found little to no evidence across outcomes that CBT is superior to usual care or alternative treatments, but our confidence in these findings are limited due to concerns about the amount and quality of available evidence, and we still know little about how best to efficiently improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony C James
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Highfield Unit, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Tessa Reardon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
| | | | | | - Cathy Creswell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK
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