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Acceptance and commitment therapy for anxious children and adolescents: study protocol for a randomized controlled
Jessica Swain1, Karen Hancock, Angela Dixon
1School of Psychology, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia. jswain311@gmail.com
Trials
|May 16, 2013
Summary
This study will compare acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for youth anxiety. It is the largest trial to date, examining treatment effectiveness and change mechanisms in children and adolescents.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Anxiety disorders affect 10-20% of young people, potentially leading to long-term psychopathology if untreated.
- Empirical research is lacking to guide clinicians in selecting appropriate treatments for pediatric anxiety.
- This study addresses the need for evidence-based interventions for anxiety in children and adolescents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the effectiveness of a group-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) program for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders.
- To evaluate the mechanisms of change within the ACT intervention for adolescent participants.
- To compare the effectiveness of ACT and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) in this population.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial recruiting 150 young people (90 children, 60 adolescents) with an anxiety disorder diagnosis.
- Participants randomized to acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), or a waitlist control group.
- 10 weekly 1.5-hour group therapy sessions, with assessments post-therapy and at 3-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- This is anticipated to be the largest trial of ACT for pediatric anxiety disorders to date.
- The study will provide comprehensive data on ACT's efficacy and mechanisms of change.
- Comparative effectiveness data for ACT and CBT in treating youth anxiety will be generated.
Conclusions:
- The findings will inform clinical practice regarding ACT and CBT for pediatric anxiety.
- Evidence for the mechanisms driving therapeutic change in ACT will be provided.
- This research will contribute significant data to the field of child and adolescent mental health interventions.
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