Pediatric Anxiety Intervention With an Entertaining Video Game: Feasibility Study

Mayo Clinic

Status: Completed

Conditions: Anxiety

Treatments: Device: Entertaining Video Game

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02713425

14-000162

Details and patient eligibility

About

This research study aims to test the feasibility and effectiveness of using an entertaining video game as an addition to traditional therapy for the treatment of anxiety disorders in youth, particularly those youth who may have limited access to mental health treatment in the traditional clinical setting.

Full description

The purpose of this research is to learn whether or not youth with social anxiety find a therapeutic video game engaging and useful. Children between the ages of 7 & 17 who have been diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder will be invited to participate in this study.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 7 to 17 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Age 7 to 17

2. Primary diagnosis of:

   1. social phobia,
   2. separation anxiety disorder

3. A parent or other primary care giver available to participate with the child in all assessment and treatment activities

4. Estimated average intelligence

5. English speaking

6. Received les than 3 treatment sessions for social anxiety disorder

Exclusion criteria

1. History of and/or current diagnosis of:

   1. psychosis,
   2. autism,
   3. bipolar disorder,
   4. mental retardation,
   5. oppositional defiant disorder,
   6. PTSD,
   7. selective mutism, or
   8. major depressive disorder

2. Current suicidality or recent suicidal behavior

3. Parent to be involved in study who is unable to adequately participate due to intellectual or psychiatric difficulties

4. Starting or changing the dosage of a psychiatric medication in the last two months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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20 participants in 1 patient group

Single Arm - Entertaining Video Game

Experimental group

Description:

The children in this study will have a single visit. During this visit they will be introduced to the game. The child will then interact with the game and after they have finished, they will be asked questions about their experience with the game. Parents will observe and provide their own feedback about the game.

Treatment:

Device: Entertaining Video Game