A meta-analysis on the efficacy of technology mediated CBT for anxious children and adolescents

Forfatter(e)

Podina, I. R. Mogoase, C. David, D. Szentagotai, A. Dobrean, A.

År

2016

DOI

10.1007/s10942-015-0228-5

Tidsskrift

Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy

Sider

31-50

Kategori(er)

Angst og engstelighet (inkl. både vansker og lidelse)

Tiltakstype(r)

Kognitiv atferdsterapi, atferdsterapi og kognitiv terapiE-helsetiltak (spill, internett, telefon)

Abstract

Several meta-analyses indicate that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) via electronic/technological devices or applications (i.e., eCBT) is an effective alternative to standard therapist-delivered CBT for anxious adults.

However, we know little about the efficacy of eCBT interventions for anxious children and adolescents. The present meta-analysis set out to investigate the efficacy of eCBT in comparison to standard CBT or waitlist control for anxious children and adolescents.

Eight randomized controlled studies (N = 404 participants) that targeted anxiety at post-intervention and follow-up were included in the analysis. The results indicated that eCBT was as effective as standard CBT (g = .295) and more effective than waitlist (g = 1.410) in reducing anxiety symptoms.

Moderation analyses revealed that anxious children and adolescents benefited the most from eCBT in the minimal therapist involvement condition (g = 2.682) in contrast to the significant therapist involvement group (g = .326).

Furthermore, older participants seemed to extract greater clinical benefits from eCBT in contrast to younger participants (slope = .514). Current eCBT interventions for anxious children and adolescents appear to be promising, but require further investigation.