The impact of intensive treatment for pediatric anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder on daily functioning

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Behavioral Therapy

Background:

• Anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) significantly impact children's daily functioning.
• Traditional treatment often emphasizes symptom remission, potentially overlooking functional gains.
• A focus on functional improvement is crucial for children's reintegration into daily life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effectiveness of intensive group-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with family involvement for children with anxiety and OCD.
• To assess the impact of this therapy on children's return to daily routines and overall functioning.
• To evaluate whether prioritizing functional gains captures benefits missed by focusing solely on symptom remission.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 212 children and adolescents (aged 8-19) in an intensive outpatient group-based CBT program.
• Inclusion of family involvement as a key component of the treatment.
• Assessment of functioning and symptom reduction from admission to discharge.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in children's overall functioning were reported by both children and parents.
• Children and parents reported significant decreases in anxiety symptoms.
• Children also reported decreases in comorbid depression symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Intensive group-based CBT with family involvement effectively improves functioning in children with anxiety and OCD.
• This therapeutic approach facilitates a quicker return to daily activities and routines.
• The findings support a functional improvement focus in pediatric anxiety and OCD treatment.