Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy for children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) is a relatively novel treatment format with the potential to increase accessibility of evidence-based care. However, little is known about the feasibility and efficacy of ICBT in children and adolescents. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of ICBT for children and adolescents to provide an overview of the field and assess the efficacy of these interventions. A systematic literature search of six electronic databases was performed to identify ICBT intervention studies for children with a psychiatric condition, such as social anxiety disorder, or a somatic condition, such as chronic pain. Two reviewers independently rated study quality. Twenty-five studies, targeting 11 different disorders, were included in the review. Study quality and presentation of treatment variables, such as therapist time and treatment adherence, varied largely. Twenty-four studies (N=1882) were included in the meta-analysis and ICBT yielded moderate between-group effect sizes when compared with waitlist, g=0.62, 95% CI [0.41, 0.84]. The results suggest that CBT for psychiatric and somatic conditions in children and adolescents can be successfully adapted to an internet-delivered format.
Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Sweden. Electronic address: sarah.vigerland@ki.se.
Sarah
S
Vigerland
Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Sweden.
Fabian
F
Lenhard
Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Sweden; Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Marianne
M
Bonnert
Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Sweden; Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Maria
M
Lalouni
Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Osher center for integrative medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Erik
E
Hedman
Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Johan
J
Ahlen
Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Ola
O
Olén
Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Sweden.
Eva
E
Serlachius
Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Brjánn
B
Ljótsson
D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D019114:Remote Consultation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Adolescent; Child; Cognitive behavior therapy; Internet; Meta-analysis