Optimising exposure for children and adolescents with anxiety, OCD and PTSD: a systematic review

Cognitive-behavioural therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders in children and young people, however, many do not benefit. Behavioural exposure appears to be the critical ingredient in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Research with adults has identified innovative strategies to optimise exposure-based treatments, yet it is not clear how to optimise the effects of exposure for children and young people. This review was a preliminary exploration of the association between potential optimisation strategies and treatment procedures and outcomes for the treatment of child anxiety symptoms/disorders. We searched PsychInfo and Medline databases using a systematic search strategy and identified 29 articles. We found preliminary evidence that some specific strategies may enhance the effects of exposure, such as dropping safety behaviours, parents and therapists discouraging avoidance, and the use of homework. However, not one significant finding was replicated by another study for the same time point using the same methodology. To a large degree, this lack of replication reflects a limited number of studies combined with a lack of consistency across studies around conceptualisations, methodological approaches, and outcome measures making it difficult to make meaningful comparisons between studies and draw firm conclusions. Examination is needed of a wide range of theoretically-driven potential optimisation strategies using methodologically robust, preclinical studies with children and young people. Furthermore, the methods used in future research must enable comparisons across studies and explore developmental differences in the effects of particular optimisation strategies

A Five-Day Intensive Treatment for Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Multiple Baseline Design Pilot Study

The need for effective treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in childhood is evident given that as many as 50% of the adults with OCD report symptom onset before age 15. Despite the growing evidence supporting the efficacy of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for youth with OCD, children seeking services for their OCD symptoms often do not receive ERP because of difficulties with treatment accessibility. Brief time-intensive treatment programs may be a feasible treatment option for children and their families who do not have access to ERP treatment and/or live in an area where therapists trained in ERP are limited. To evaluate the initial efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of a brief, five-day intensive ERP program for pediatric OCD, eight children with OCD were randomized to a one-week, two-week, or three-week baseline period in a single-case, non-concurrent multiple-baseline experimental design. In most cases, there were clinically significant improvements in OCD symptoms with the implementation of treatment; moreover, treatment gains were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Children and families perceived the program to be acceptable, feasible, and beneficial. This study extends the support for the efficacy and feasibility of a five-day intensive treatment program for pediatric OCD.No Full Tex