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Published in: Trials 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Study protocol

School-based cognitive behavioral interventions for anxious youth: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Bente Storm Mowatt Haugland, Solfrid Raknes, Aashild Tellefsen Haaland, Gro Janne Wergeland, Jon Fauskanger Bjaastad, Valborg Baste, Joe Himle, Ron Rapee, Asle Hoffart

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Anxiety disorders are prevalent among adolescents and may have long-lasting negative consequences for the individual, the family and society. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment. However, many anxious youth do not seek treatment. Low-intensity CBT in schools may improve access to evidence-based services. We aim to investigate the efficacy of two CBT youth anxiety programs with different intensities (i.e., number and length of sessions), both group-based and administered as early interventions in a school setting. The objectives of the study are to examine the effects of school-based interventions for youth anxiety and to determine whether a less intensive intervention is non-inferior to a more intensive intervention.

Methods/design

The present study is a randomized controlled trial comparing two CBT interventions to a waitlist control group. A total of 18 schools participate and we aim to recruit 323 adolescents (12-16 years). Youth who score above a cutoff on an anxiety symptom scale will be included in the study. School nurses recruit participants and deliver the interventions, with mental health workers as co-therapists and/or supervisors. Primary outcomes are level of anxiety symptoms and anxiety-related functional impairments. Secondary outcomes are level of depressive symptoms, quality of life and general psychosocial functioning. Non-inferiority between the two active interventions will be declared if a difference of 1.4 or less is found on the anxiety symptom measure post-intervention and a difference of 0.8 on the interference scale. Effects will be analyzed by mixed effect models, applying an intention to treat procedure.

Discussion

The present study extends previous research by comparing two programs with different intensity. A brief intervention, if effective, could more easily be subject to large-scale implementation in school health services.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02279251. Registered on 15 October 2014. Retrospectively registered.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Footnotes
1
VAAG is Norwegian for both to dare and to venture.
 
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Metadata
Title
School-based cognitive behavioral interventions for anxious youth: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Bente Storm Mowatt Haugland
Solfrid Raknes
Aashild Tellefsen Haaland
Gro Janne Wergeland
Jon Fauskanger Bjaastad
Valborg Baste
Joe Himle
Ron Rapee
Asle Hoffart
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Trials / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-017-1831-9

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