One year follow-up to modular cognitive behavioral therapy for the treatment of pediatric anxiety disorders in an elementary school setting

Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2012 Apr;43(2):219-26. doi: 10.1007/s10578-011-0258-x.

Abstract

The current study sought to evaluate the relative long-term efficacy of a modularized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for children with anxiety disorders. Twenty four children (5-12 years old) randomly assigned to modular CBT or a 3-month waitlist participated in a 1-year follow-up assessment. Independent evaluators blind to treatment condition conducted structured diagnostic interviews, and caregivers and children completed symptom checklists at pre- and post-, and 1 year follow-up assessments. Analyses revealed that 71.4% of children who received CBT demonstrated a positive treatment response 1 year following treatment, and 83.3% were free of any anxiety diagnosis at 1 year follow-up. Analyses further revealed robust effects of intervention on diagnostic outcomes, caregiver- and child-report measures of anxiety at 1 year follow-up. Results provide evidence of an ongoing advantage on anxiety-specific outcomes for this modularized school-based CBT program 1 year post-treatment.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Schools
  • Treatment Outcome