No differences between group versus individual treatment of childhood anxiety disorders in a randomised clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
The present study compares an individual versus a group format in the delivery of manualised cognitive-behavioural therapy (FRIENDS) for children with anxiety disorders. Clinically referred children (aged 8 to 12) diagnosed with Separation Anxiety Disorder (n = 52), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (n = 37), Social Phobia (n = 22) or Specific Phobia (n = 16) were randomly assigned to individual (n = 65) or group (n = 62) treatment.


METHODS
Analyses were conducted separately for the intent-to-treat sample and the sample of children who completed treatment. Analyses included chi-square comparisons and regression analyses with treatment format as a predictor.


RESULTS
Forty-eight percent of the children in the individual versus 41% in the group treatment were free of any anxiety disorder at post-treatment; 62% versus 54% were free of their primary anxiety disorder. Regression analyses showed no significant difference in outcome between individual and group treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Children improved in both conditions. Choice between treatments could be based on pragmatic considerations such as therapeutic resources, referral rates, and the preference of the parents and the child.
Liber
Juliette M
JM
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands. j.m.liber@Curium.nl
Van Widenfelt
Brigit M
BM
Utens
Elisabeth M W J
EM
Ferdinand
Robert F
RF
Van der Leeden
Adelinde J M
AJ
Van Gastel
Willemijn
W
Treffers
Philip D A
PD
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male