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Comparative studies of pharmacotherapy for school refusal
G A Bernstein1, B D Garfinkel, C M Borchardt
1Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis 55455.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Alprazolam and imipramine showed promise in treating school refusal, with most patients improving. However, further research is needed to confirm drug effectiveness versus baseline differences.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- School refusal is a common childhood anxiety disorder.
- Effective pharmacological treatments are crucial for managing school refusal symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of alprazolam and imipramine in treating school refusal.
- To evaluate treatment effects on anxiety and depression symptoms in children.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted: an open-label trial (N=17) and a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (N=24).
- Standardized rating scales were used to assess anxiety and depression symptoms before and after treatment.
Main Results:
- In the open-label study, two-thirds of participants showed moderate to marked improvement.
- The double-blind study indicated significant improvements in anxiety and depression for active medication groups compared to placebo (p=.03).
- Analyses of covariance, controlling for baseline scores, did not reveal significant differences between treatment groups, suggesting further investigation is warranted.
Conclusions:
- Both alprazolam and imipramine show potential in alleviating school refusal symptoms.
- Additional research is necessary to elucidate the specific drug effects and the influence of baseline characteristics on treatment outcomes.