Online Support and Intervention (OSI) for child anxiety: a case-series within routine clinical practice

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Online treatments for child anxiety offer a potentially costeffective and non-stigmatizing means to widen access to evidence-based treatments and meet the increasing demand on services, however uptake in routine clinical practice remains a challenge....

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hill, C, Chessell, C, Percy, R, Creswell, C
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2022
Description
Summary:<p><strong>Background:</strong> Online treatments for child anxiety offer a potentially costeffective and non-stigmatizing means to widen access to evidence-based treatments and meet the increasing demand on services, however uptake in routine clinical practice remains a challenge. This study conducted an initial evaluation of the clinical effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of OSI (Online Support and Intervention for child anxiety) within clinical practice. OSI is a co-designed online therapistsupported, parent-led CBT treatment for pre-adolescent children with anxiety problems.</p> <p><strong>Method:</strong> This case-series was part of routine service evaluation in a clinic where families were offered OSI to treat a primary anxiety difficulty among 7–12-year-old children. Measures of anxiety symptomatology, functional impairment, and progress towards therapeutic goals were taken at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 4-week follow-up. Treatment satisfaction and engagement were also measured throughout the intervention.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> Mean anxiety symptoms significantly improved to below the clinical cut-off post-treatment with further reduction at follow-up. Functional impairment also significantly improved and significant progress was made towards treatment goals. The majority of children showed reliable change in anxiety symptoms and reliable recovery by follow-up and were discharged without needing further treatment for anxiety. Uptake, adherence, and engagement in OSI were excellent and parents reported high levels of satisfaction with the treatment.</p> <p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> We have provided initial evidence that OSI is feasible, acceptable to families, and appears to be associated with good outcomes within routine clinical practice.</p>