Computer-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy for child anxiety: Results of a randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and effects of Camp Cope-A-Lot (CCAL), a computer-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety in youth. Method: Children (49; 33 males) ages 7-13 (M ϭ 10.1 Ϯ 1.6; 83.7% Caucasian, 14.2% African American, 2% Hispanic) with a principal anxiety disorder were randomly assigned to (a) CCAL, (b) individual CBT (ICBT), or (c) a computer-assisted education, support, and attention (CESA) condition. All therapists were from the community (school or counseling psychologists, clinical psychologist) or were PsyD or PhD trainees with no experience or training in CBT for child anxiety. Independent diagnostic interviews and self-report measures were completed at pre-and posttreatment and 3-month follow-up. Results: At posttreatment, ICBT or CCAL children showed significantly better gains than CESA children; 70%, 81%, and 19%, respectively, no longer met criteria for their principal anxiety diagnosis. Gains were maintained at follow-up, with no significant differences between ICBT and CCAL. Parents and children rated all treatments acceptable, with CCAL and ICBT children rating higher satisfaction than CESA children. Conclusions: Findings support the feasibility, acceptability and beneficial effects of CCAL for anxious youth. Discussion considers the potential of computer-assisted treatments in the dissemination of empirically supported treatments.

Developing a model of mental health self-care support for children and young people through an integrated evaluation of available types of provision involving systematic review, meta-analysis and case study

“…The two online interventions (Khanna 2010; 165 March 2009 167 ) elicit interesting findings regarding satisfaction in that in Khanna 2010, 165 the online intervention was rated equally as high as a face-to-face alternative, and in March 2009, 167 both children and parents reported only moderate satisfaction levels.…”

“…The location was unclear in the remaining studies. Psychologists were in the majority as the self-care support agent but they accounted for less than half (14/33) of the interventions; 48,69,73,83,84,91,101,102,118,119,[163][164][165]168,171,174 a range of specific (e.g. teachers and counsellors 39,90,93,110,113,136,170 ) and non-specific (e.g.…”

“…Occasionally, related concepts such as 'usefulness' (Barrett 2000; 158 ) was delivered in a 'charity setting' and two (Khanna 2010; 165 March 2009 167 ) were delivered online. The location was unclear in the remaining studies.…”

Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of psychiatric illness

“…20 • Another trial compared the Internet-delivered CBT program Camp Cope-A-Lot with individual CBT and computer-linked education, support and attention controls over a 12-week period. 23 Both individual CBT and Internet-delivered CBT produced significant improvements relative to controls: 70% and 81% of participants, respectively, no longer met their primary diagnostic criteria, compared with 19% in the control group. There was greater adherence by therapists with the Internet-delivered CBT protocol than with individual CBT, and the patients showed substantially higher satisfaction with Internet-delivered CBT and individual CBT relative to controls.…”

Preliminary Analysis of the Portuguese Version of the Child Anxiety Life Interference Scale

“…The ADIS-C/P has acceptable to excellent test-retest reliability (Silverman, Saavedra, & Pina, 2001) and inter-rater agreement (Lyneham, Abbott, & Rapee, 2007). In the current study, we interviewed parents and children together following the procedure of Khanna and Kendall (2010). Only the sections assessing anxiety disorders, mood disorders and externalising disorders were administered.…”