Pesky gNATs for children experiencing low mood and anxiety – A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of technology-assisted CBT in primary care
Background: Compared to the evidence base for adult populations, less is known about the effectiveness of technology-assisted CBT interventions for children aged 12 and under in real-world settings. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a technology-assisted CBT intervention called...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Internet Interventions |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782921001299 |
| _version_ | 1818752929690025984 |
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| author | Darragh McCashin David Coyle Gary O'Reilly |
| author_facet | Darragh McCashin David Coyle Gary O'Reilly |
| author_sort | Darragh McCashin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Compared to the evidence base for adult populations, less is known about the effectiveness of technology-assisted CBT interventions for children aged 12 and under in real-world settings. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a technology-assisted CBT intervention called Pesky gNATs in primary care psychology services. Methods: A 2 × 3 (group by time) waitlist randomised controlled trial design was applied (n = 122), using the total internalising score from the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) as the primary outcome measure; and a range of secondary outcomes. Participants were recruited from primary care services across Ireland and were assessed at baseline (Time 1), post-intervention (Time 2), and a follow-up at 3 months (Time 3). Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to analyse the data; in addition to Cohen's d for effect sizes, and the reliable change index (RCI) for clinically meaningful change. Results: Overall, no significant between-group differences were found on primary or secondary measures. Both intervention and waitlist control groups experienced significantly positive change across all timepoints. However, participant retention rate at Time 2 was 66%; and fell to 44% at Time 3. Intervention group feedback from children and parent at Time 2 indicated high levels of acceptability and satisfaction with Pesky gNATs. The RCI showed a statistically significant result at Time 2: more participants from the intervention group (n = 9) moved from clinical to non-clinical levels on the primary outcome than did waitlist control participants (n = 0); but no differences were found at Time 3. Conclusion: This RCT did not demonstrate that Pesky gNATs is effective in providing clinically significant levels of change for low mood and anxiety. However, participant feedback showed high levels of acceptability and positive experiences However, given the high attrition rate and implementation challenges, further research is required to ascertain the effectiveness of technology-assisted CBT interventions such as Pesky gNATs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T04:59:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-de261eeeaf6149c7b7c1108eaffd54cf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2214-7829 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T04:59:16Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Internet Interventions |
| spelling | doaj.art-de261eeeaf6149c7b7c1108eaffd54cf2022-12-21T21:20:12ZengElsevierInternet Interventions2214-78292022-03-0127100489Pesky gNATs for children experiencing low mood and anxiety – A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of technology-assisted CBT in primary careDarragh McCashin0David Coyle1Gary O'Reilly2School of Psychology, Dublin City University, Ireland; Corresponding author.School of Computer Science, University College Dublin, IrelandSchool of Psychology, University College Dublin, IrelandBackground: Compared to the evidence base for adult populations, less is known about the effectiveness of technology-assisted CBT interventions for children aged 12 and under in real-world settings. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a technology-assisted CBT intervention called Pesky gNATs in primary care psychology services. Methods: A 2 × 3 (group by time) waitlist randomised controlled trial design was applied (n = 122), using the total internalising score from the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) as the primary outcome measure; and a range of secondary outcomes. Participants were recruited from primary care services across Ireland and were assessed at baseline (Time 1), post-intervention (Time 2), and a follow-up at 3 months (Time 3). Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to analyse the data; in addition to Cohen's d for effect sizes, and the reliable change index (RCI) for clinically meaningful change. Results: Overall, no significant between-group differences were found on primary or secondary measures. Both intervention and waitlist control groups experienced significantly positive change across all timepoints. However, participant retention rate at Time 2 was 66%; and fell to 44% at Time 3. Intervention group feedback from children and parent at Time 2 indicated high levels of acceptability and satisfaction with Pesky gNATs. The RCI showed a statistically significant result at Time 2: more participants from the intervention group (n = 9) moved from clinical to non-clinical levels on the primary outcome than did waitlist control participants (n = 0); but no differences were found at Time 3. Conclusion: This RCT did not demonstrate that Pesky gNATs is effective in providing clinically significant levels of change for low mood and anxiety. However, participant feedback showed high levels of acceptability and positive experiences However, given the high attrition rate and implementation challenges, further research is required to ascertain the effectiveness of technology-assisted CBT interventions such as Pesky gNATs.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782921001299Cognitive behavioral therapyGamesChildrenAnxietyLow mood |
| spellingShingle | Darragh McCashin David Coyle Gary O'Reilly Pesky gNATs for children experiencing low mood and anxiety – A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of technology-assisted CBT in primary care Internet Interventions Cognitive behavioral therapy Games Children Anxiety Low mood |
| title | Pesky gNATs for children experiencing low mood and anxiety – A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of technology-assisted CBT in primary care |
| title_full | Pesky gNATs for children experiencing low mood and anxiety – A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of technology-assisted CBT in primary care |
| title_fullStr | Pesky gNATs for children experiencing low mood and anxiety – A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of technology-assisted CBT in primary care |
| title_full_unstemmed | Pesky gNATs for children experiencing low mood and anxiety – A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of technology-assisted CBT in primary care |
| title_short | Pesky gNATs for children experiencing low mood and anxiety – A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of technology-assisted CBT in primary care |
| title_sort | pesky gnats for children experiencing low mood and anxiety a pragmatic randomised controlled trial of technology assisted cbt in primary care |
| topic | Cognitive behavioral therapy Games Children Anxiety Low mood |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782921001299 |
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