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Can School-based CBT Programmes Reduce Anxiety in Children? Results From the Preventing Anxiety in Children Through Education in Schools (PACES) Randomised Controlled Trial.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2020

P. Stallard ,
E. Skryabina ,
G. Taylor ,
R. Phillips ,
H. Daniels ,
R. Anderson  and
N. Simpson
P. Stallard
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
E. Skryabina
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
G. Taylor
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
R. Phillips
Affiliation:
Cardiff University, Institute of Primary Care and Public Health, Cardiff, United Kingdom
H. Daniels
Affiliation:
Oxford University, Department of Education, Oxford, United Kingdom
R. Anderson
Affiliation:
University of Exeter, Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
N. Simpson
Affiliation:
Community Paediatrics, Sirona Care and Health, Bath, United Kingdom

Abstract

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Introduction

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is an effective psychological intervention for children and young people with anxiety disorders (James et al, 2013). This has led to interest in whether CBT programmes can be widely provided in schools to prevent or ameliorate anxiety symptoms in children.

Objective

Results from school based anxiety prevention trials are encouraging (Neil & Christensen 2009; Fisak, Richard, Mann 2011). Before the widespread use of school based preventive programmes can be advocated methodologically robust evaluations are required to demonstrate that they are effective when transported to everyday settings.

Aim

To undertake a pragmatic randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a universal school based CBT programme (Friends for Life) for children aged 9-10 years of age .

Methods

Three arm RCT comparing Friends for Life delivered by trained health or school leaders with usual school provision (Stallard et al,2012). Primary outcome the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) at 12 month follow-up.

Results

A total of 1362 children from 40 schools participated with 1257 (92%) being re-assessed at follow-up. There was a difference in adjusted mean child report RCADS scores for health-led versus school-led FRIENDS (−3.94, 95%CI −6.41 to −1.47) and health-led FRIENDS versus usual school provision (2.66, 95%CI −5.22 to −0.09). Health-led CBT resulted in greater reductions in symptoms of anxiety than the other two arms (Stallard et al 2014),

Conclusion

Our pragmatic trial demonstrates that universally delivered anxiety prevention programmes can be effective when transported into schools. However, effectiveness varies depending upon who delivers them.

Type
Article: 0190
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 30 , Issue S1: Abstracts of the 23rd European Congress of Psychiatry , March 2015 , pp. 1
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2015
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