Internet-delivered CBT for Adolescents With GAD (BIPWorry)

Karolinska Institute

Status: Completed

Conditions: Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Treatments: Behavioral: Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03469453

EPN DNR 2017/1879-31/5

Details and patient eligibility

About

This multiple baseline evaluation aims to test the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of Internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) for adolescents with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).

Full description

This pilot study aims to test Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) for adolescents with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

The study has a single case research design (multiple baseline) and will include 12 participants with GAD according to a semi structured diagnostic interview.

Participants will be randomized to either two, six or ten weeks baseline measurements prior to starting treatment, and will thus work as their own controls.

Primary outcome measures will be collected at 10 weeks after treatment start. Follow-up assessments will be made three month after treatment.

Enrollment: 13 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 13 to 17 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• A score on the Penn State Worry Questionnaire for Children (PSWQ-C) of > 30
• Fulfilling DSM-5 criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• No other disorder or symptoms present in need of more urgent treatment
• Aged between 13 and 17 years
• Ability to read and write in Swedish
• A parent or caregiver that is able to participate in the treatment
• Participants on psychotropic medication must have been on a stable dose for the last 6 weeks prior to baseline assessment
• No other ongoing psychological treatment for any disorder

Exclusion criteria

• The presence of symptoms suggestive of a current diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, or Substance Use Disorder
• Present risk of suicide
• Present occurrence of domestic violence
• Completed CBT for any anxiety disorder within the last 6 months (defined as at least 5 sessions of CBT including in vivo exposure sessions)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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13 participants in 1 patient group

Internet-delivered CBT

Experimental group

Description:

Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (ICBT) for GAD, 10 weeks. Patients and their parents work with separate programs via the Internet. Both have contact with a therapist. Participants practice awareness of worry through daily worry monitoring. They identify their own behaviors that reinforce worry, i.e. control and avoidance behaviors. The program gives a rationale for behavior change, which is then implemented. Participants practice problem solving and exposure to uncertainty inducing situations and thoughts. Parents receive support and psycho education about worry. They practice alternative parental behaviors, which decrease focus on worry while validating the child's feelings. Treatment contains planning for maintenance of treatment gains for both patients and parents.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy