Assessing the effectiveness of anxiety treatment for youth
Building an Outcomes Assessment Infrastructure to Assess Youth in the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program at McLean Hospital
This study is testing a new anxiety treatment program for kids and teens aged 6 to 19 to see if it helps reduce their anxiety symptoms compared to those who are waiting for treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 45 (estimated) |
| Ages | 6 Years to 19 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Mclean Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Cambridge, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT02305537 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program by collecting self-report and diagnostic data from patients undergoing treatment for various anxiety disorders. Participants, aged 6 to 19, will engage in an intensive group-based treatment program for a minimum of four weeks, with assessments conducted at admission, discharge, and three months post-discharge. The study will also include a control group of patients on a waitlist to compare treatment outcomes. The goal is to determine whether treatment leads to significant improvements in anxiety symptoms.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 who are diagnosed with anxiety disorders such as Social Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobia, Separation Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, or Agoraphobia.
Not a fit: Patients who have engaged in substance abuse within six weeks prior to evaluation will not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide evidence for the effectiveness of intensive anxiety treatment programs in improving outcomes for youth with anxiety disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in similar intensive treatment approaches for anxiety disorders, suggesting potential for positive outcomes in this study.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
* All youth who are eligible to participate in the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program will be invited to participate in the research study.
* Eligibility criteria for the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program include:
* children and adolescents who are between the ages of 6 and 19 and
* who present with at least one of the following disorders:
* Separation Anxiety Disorder,
* Social Anxiety Disorder,
* Panic Disorder,
* Agoraphobia,
* Specific Phobia(s), and
* OCD.
* Interested and eligible patients and their caregivers should complete and submit an application (https://www.mcleanhospital.org/sites/default/files/2021-07/MAMP-Application-07032021_0.pdf) to begin the phone screen process.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients ineligible for the treatment program, and therefore the study, include those who have engaged in substance abuse during the six weeks prior to the first evaluation (i.e., waitlist or admission) the phone screening,
* those who report that they are unwilling to refrain from self-injurious behaviors during the waitlist and treatment periods,
* those who are experiencing active symptoms of psychosis,
* those who exhibit severe behavioral disinhibition or aggression, and
* those who express an intent and/or plan to commit suicide or homicide at the time of their first evaluation the initial phone screening.
* Patients must be fluent in English to participate in the program because all off-grounds exposure groups will be conducted in English (whenever possible, however, translation services will be provided for patients whose parents are not fluent in English).
Where this trial is running
Cambridge, Massachusetts
- McLean Hospital — Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jacqueline Sperling, Ph.D. — Mclean Hospital
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.