Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2025

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat
Published on: September 12, 2014
Effects of different interventions on anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: a systematic review and bayesian
Longhui Li1, Qiner Li1, Jingyi Wang1
1Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, 100191, China.
Background:
Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric conditions, particularly affecting children and adolescents. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of anxiety in this population has increased, making it a significant public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various interventions for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents and identify the most effective approach to mitigate the impact of these disorders.
Methods:
We conducted a thorough search of eligible randomized controlled trials across five databases: Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed using R Studio, and the quality of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE method.
Results:
From 19,442 publications retrieved, 30 RCTs involving 1,711 participants were included. The results showed that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was the most effective intervention for treating anxiety disorders in children and adolescents (MD = -3.83 [95% CrI: -9.33, 1.51]). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was the second most effective (MD = -3.64 [95% CrI: -7.36, -0.48]), followed by Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (MD = -2.53 [95% CrI: -8.23, 3.32]) and Physical Exercise (MD = -2.16 [95% CrI: -9.99, 5.52]).
Conclusions:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) appears to be the most effective intervention for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. However, this finding should be interpreted with caution due to the overall low quality of evidence, high heterogeneity, and imprecision in the results. Future research should investigate the potential benefits of combining physical exercise or virtual reality-assisted therapies. Moreover, large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials are essential to further validate and refine these findings.
Trial Registration:
PROSPERO, CRD42024587910.
More Related Videos
05:48The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
Published on: June 12, 2020
08:09Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
Published on: February 11, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Behavior Therapy
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Operant Conditioning Intervention
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Anxiety: Overview
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic...
Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...