Clinical trial Recruiting at 2 sites Interventional Ages 8 to 15

Understanding children's emotions in therapy

Official title: Biobehavioural Regulation of Negative Emotion as a Transdiagnostic Mechanism of Children's Psychotherapy

Run by University of Guelph · NCT05637320 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new therapy approach for kids aged 8 to 15 with anxiety, depression, trauma, or behavior issues to see if it helps them feel better compared to those who aren't receiving treatment right away.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages8 Years to 15 Years
SexAll
Enrollment202 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Guelph
Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Guelph, Ontario and 1 other locations)
StatusRecruiting
StartedOctober 1, 2022
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2027
Study endsDecember 31, 2027
Registry record updatedJanuary 29, 2025
Trial IDNCT05637320 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are children aged 8 to 15 who are seeking treatment for anxiety, depression, or disruptive behaviors.

Probably not a fit

Patients with active suicidality, psychosis, or cognitive impairments that prevent participation may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to explore how psychotherapy affects children and adolescents aged 8 to 15 who are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, or disruptive behaviors. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an evidence-based treatment known as the Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Conduct Problems (MATCH-ADTC) or a waitlist control group. The study will assess treatment response through various measures, including symptom scales and physiological reactivity, while also utilizing machine learning techniques to identify patterns in emotion regulation and treatment outcomes. The goal is to enhance the effectiveness of psychotherapy by understanding the mechanisms behind treatment responses.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved psychotherapy outcomes for children with emotional and behavioral challenges.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in using evidence-based psychotherapies for children's mental health, but this approach focuses on a novel mechanism of treatment response.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Child must be between the ages of 8 and 15 years old and have English proficiency
* Parents must be over the age of 18 and have English proficiency
* Must be seeking psychosocial treatment for concerns related to anxiety, depression, or disruptive behaviours

Exclusion Criteria:

* Child has low cognitive functioning that would prevent active participation in research tasks
* Child reports active suicidality that requiring acute care or hospital intervention
* Child meets criteria for psychosis, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, eating disorders or autism spectrum disorders
* Child does not assent to participate in the study

Where it's running

  • Maplewoods Centre for Family Therapy and Child Psychology
    Guelph, Ontario, Canada
    Recruiting
  • The Centre for Addition and Mental Health
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Kristel Thomassin, PhD — University of Guelph
  • Study coordinator: Jessica Pun, BA
  • Email: punj@uoguelph.ca
  • Phone: 519-824-4120

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.