Webcam-Based Online Coaching with Children and Adolescents with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders - A Single-Case Study.

Objective: Although there is clear evidence-based knowledge regarding state-of-the-art treatment for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), two main issues remain in clinical practice: (1) Exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is limited in terms of availability and accessibility or is not adequately provided, and (2) despite large effect sizes of exposure-based CBT, the achieved recovery rates of 50-60 % still show room for improvement. These issues have prompted an increasing focus on delivering exposure-based CBT in new and innovative ways. This study aims to evaluate an intensive therapist-administered online coaching program consisting of exposure with response prevention via video teleconferencing (VTC) as an add-on to weekly outpatient CBT (blended therapy). Method: The blended therapy is examined in n = 5 children and adolescents with OCD using an AB design and multi-informant ratings. Results: This single-case study shows promising results, indicating that a decrease in OCD severity and related functional impairment can be attributed to blended therapy. Moreover, satisfaction with online coaching was high. Conclusions: Despite some principal limitations, the results support the effectiveness and feasibility of blended therapy.

European clinical guidelines for Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders-version 2.0. Part II: psychological interventions.

Part II of the European clinical guidelines for Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders (ECAP journal, 2011) provides updated information and recommendations for psychological interventions for individuals with tic disorders, created by a working group of the European Society for the Study of Tourette Syndrome (ESSTS). A systematic literature search was conducted to obtain original studies of psychological interventions for tic disorders, published since the initial European clinical guidelines were issued. Relevant studies were identified using computerized searches of the MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases for the years 2011-2019 and a manual search for the years 2019-2021. Based on clinical consensus, psychoeducation is recommended as an initial intervention regardless of symptom severity. According to a systematic literature search, most evidence was found for Habit Reversal Training (HRT), primarily the expanded package Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). Evidence was also found for Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), but to a lesser degree of certainty than HRT/CBIT due to fewer studies. Currently, cognitive interventions and third-wave interventions are not recommended as stand-alone treatments for tic disorders. Several novel treatment delivery formats are currently being evaluated, of which videoconference delivery of HRT/CBIT has the most evidence to date. To summarize, when psychoeducation alone is insufficient, both HRT/CBIT and ERP are recommended as first-line interventions for tic disorders. As part of the development of the clinical guidelines, a survey is reported from ESSTS members and other tic disorder experts on preference, use and availability of psychological interventions for tic disorders.

Effectiveness of usual-care cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescents with depressive disorders rated by parents and patients - an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Depressive disorders are common in adolescence and are associated with a wide range of negative long-term outcomes. Highly controlled randomized controlled trials (RCT) provide considerable evidence for the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as a treatment for depression, but studies examining the effectiveness of CBT in clinical settings are very rare . METHODS: In the present observational study, the changes achieved through routine CBT in adolescents with depressive disorders treated in a clinical setting in terms of a university outpatient clinic were analyzed, and compared to a historical control group of adolescents with depressive disorders who had received treatment as usual. At the start and end of treatment (pre- and post-assessment), parent and self-ratings of the German versions of the Youth Self-Report (YSR), the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and rating scales for depressive symptoms (FBB-DES, SBB-DES) were assessed. A total of 331 adolescents aged 11-18 years with complete data were assessed for the main analysis. RESULTS: The analysis yielded small to large pre-post effect sizes (Cohen's d) for the total sample (d = 0.33 to d = 0.82) and large effect sizes for adolescents who were rated in the clinical range on each (sub) scale at the start of treatment (d = 0.85 to d = 1.30). When comparing patients in the clinical range with historical controls, medium to large net effect sizes (d = 0.53 to d = 2.09) emerged for the total scores in self- and parent rating. However, a substantial proportion of the sample remained in the clinical range at the end of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that CBT is effective for adolescents with depressive disorders when administered under routine care conditions, but the results must be interpreted with caution due to the lack of a direct control condition. TRIAL REGISTRATION: DRKS, DRKS00021518 . Registered 27 April 2020 - Retrospectively registered, http://drks.de.

Progress feedback in children and adolescents with internalizing and externalizing symptoms in routine care (OPTIE study): study protocol of a randomized parallel-group trial.

BACKGROUND: Progress feedback provides therapists with progress notes on a regular basis through the continuous assessment of participants throughout their treatment (e.g., symptoms, therapeutic alliance). While for adults the evidence base has increased over the years, progress feedback in the therapy of children and adolescents has not been sufficiently investigated. This manuscript describes the trial protocol of the OPTIE study: a randomized trial that tests the efficacy of a progress feedback system in children and adolescents under conditions of routine care. METHODS: The study is based on a randomized parallel-group trial with two treatment groups (routine, feedback) at an outpatient unit of a university hospital. The target sample size is 439 families consisting of children and adolescents aged 6 to17 years old with internalizing and/or externalizing symptoms. Both the patients and the therapists are independently assigned to the treatment groups by stratified block randomization. In both treatment groups patients receive routine care behavioral therapy for a study-related 12 months; additionally, in the feedback group, a progress feedback system with three components is applied (monitoring, report, and supervision). For three informants (caregiver, child [≥ 11 years], therapist) surveys are conducted every 6 weeks (e.g., symptoms, goals, motivation). For both treatment groups, comparison data is collected at baseline and at six and 12 months after the beginning of the intervention (pre, inter, post), and includes five informants (blinded clinician, therapist, caregiver, child [≥ 11 years], teacher). DISCUSSION: The OPTIE study will contribute to the evidence base of progress feedback in children and adolescents and has the potential to uncover treatments' effects in the small to medium range. Noteworthy features are the inclusion of children younger than 10 years old and the consideration of a blinded clinician rating. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) DRKS00016737 ( https://www.drks.de/DRKS00016737 ). Registered 17 September, 2019.

Parent- and therapist-rated treatment satisfaction following routine child cognitive-behavioral therapy.

This observational study examined treatment satisfaction (TS) following routine outpatient cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in a large sample of children (n = 795; aged 6 to 10 years). TS was investigated in parent and therapist rating. Means, standard deviations and inter-rater correlations were calculated to investigate TS. Regression analysis was conducted to examine potential correlates of TS (patient-related variables, mental disorder characteristics, socio-demographic factors and treatment variables). High TS in parent and therapist rating was found, with therapists showing a lower degree of TS than parents (completely or predominantly satisfied: parent rating 94.1%, therapist rating 69.5%). A statistically significant, moderate inter-rater correlation was found. Regression analysis explained 21.8% of the variance in parent rating and 57.2% in therapist rating. Most of the TS variance was explained by mental disorder characteristics (parent-rated symptoms and therapist-rated global impairment at treatment end) and by treatment variables (especially the therapist-rated cooperation of parents and patients), whereas socio-demographic and patient-related variables did not show any relevant associations with TS. Based on these results, to optimize TS, therapists should concentrate on establishing a sustainable cooperation of parents and children during therapy, and work to achieve a low global impairment at treatment end.

Treatment satisfaction following routine outpatient cognitive-behavioral therapy of adolescents with mental disorders: a triple perspective of patients, parents and therapists.

The present study investigates treatment satisfaction (TS) rated by multiple informants (patient, parent, therapist) following routine outpatient cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) within a large sample (n = 965) of clinically referred adolescents aged 11-20 years. Moreover, potential predictors of TS were analyzed (patient-related variables, mental disorder characteristics, socio-demographic factors and treatment variables). Overall, our results show a high treatment satisfaction in patient, parent and therapist ratings, with the therapists being the most critical raters (completely/predominantly satisfied: 87.8% in patient, 92.0% in parent, and 64.0% in therapist ratings). Correlations between the three raters were only small to moderate, but statistically significant. Regression analysis examining differential effects found that mental disorder characteristics (parent- and patient-reported symptoms at post) and treatment variables (especially cooperation of patients and parents as rated by therapists) explained most of the variance in TS, whereas patient-related or socio-demographic variables did not emerge as relevant predictors of TS. The amounts of explained variance were R adj. 2 = 0.594 in therapist rating, R adj. 2 = 0.322 in patient rating and R adj. 2 = 0.203 in parent rating.

Parent- and Teacher-Rated Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Children and Adolescents Under Usual Care Conditions in a University Outpatient Clinic.

Compared to randomized controlled trials, studies examining the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in children and adolescents with mental disorders are rare, and a teacher perspective is scarce. The present study investigated the effectiveness of routine CBT in 519 patients aged 6-18 years with mental disorders. Changes in mental health problems were assessed in teacher (Teacher Report Form, TRF) and parent rating (Child Behavior Checklist, CBCL) and were analyzed within the total sample, yielding statistically significant, small to medium effect sizes (teacher rating: d = .74-2.39; parent rating: d = .65-1.18). Changes in a subgroup of patients with elevated symptom scores at treatment start were compared to a historical control group receiving weekly academic tutoring. Net total score effect sizes lay between d = 0.98 and d = 1.29 for teacher rating (parent rating: d = 0.84 to d = 1.01). Nevertheless, a substantial number of patients remained in the clinical range. Symptom changes during family- and patient-based CBT interventions did not differ from treatments including additional school-based interventions, as was also the case for the comparison of treatments with and without additional pharmacotherapy.

Cognitive-behavioral teletherapy for children and adolescents with mental disorders and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey on acceptance and satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging for health care systems around the world. Teletherapy (psychotherapy conducted via videoconference) for children and adolescents offers a promising opportunity not only to provide treatment during social distancing restrictions but also to reduce treatment barriers that might prevent families from seeking care independent of the pandemic. Therefore, it is highly important to examine the implementation and especially the acceptance of and satisfaction with teletherapy. METHODS: Therapists of 561 patients and parents of 227 patients (total 643 patients) aged 3-20 years treated at a university outpatient unit rated their experiences with teletherapy. RESULTS: Following the outbreak of COVID-19, 73% of the patients switched from face-to-face treatment to teletherapy. Both therapists and parents were mainly satisfied with teletherapy and did not report negative impacts on treatment satisfaction or the therapeutic relationship. Stress from COVID-19, age, gender, duration of treatment, psychosocial functioning, and psychopathology were associated with satisfaction, but correlations were low. Sixty-six percent of parents and 53% of therapists intended to use teletherapy in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic was well accepted by both parents and therapists. Certain patient characteristics were related to satisfaction. Trial registration The study was retrospectively registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00028639).

Implementation and Evaluation of Therapeutic Online Coaching Using Habit Reversal Training in Children With Tourette's Disorder - A Pilot Study.

Cognitive-behavioral interventions can be difficult to implement in daily routine, which is often essential for generalizing treatment effects to natural settings. Furthermore, there is a lack of adequate care options concerning habit reversal training for children with Tourette's disorder. The objective of this study is to evaluate therapeutic online coaching via videoconferencing in the natural environment of children with Tourette's disorder in addition to face-to-face therapy (blended therapy). Online coaching took place twice a week for a maximum of 12 weeks. In a single-case study (n = 5; patients aged 8-11 years), the first results were obtained for exploratory purposes, especially with regard to the feasibility and reduction of symptoms and impairment. Various outcome measures were assessed (severity of symptoms, impairment, practical implementation, and satisfaction). Despite some principal limitations, the findings provide first hints that blended therapy is feasible and improves symptoms in some children with tics. Clinical Trial Registration: [https://clinicaltrials.gov/], identifier [DRKS00017199].

Efficacy of Habit Reversal Training in Children With Chronic Tic Disorders: A Within-Subject Analysis.

The aim of this study is to evaluate a cognitive-behavioral treatment for children and adolescents with tic disorder including habit reversal training (HRT) in a sample of children and adolescents (n = 27). Multiple outcome measures were used to assess the effects of the treatment on tic symptoms. In addition, impairment/subjective burden ratings and the self-efficacy to control tics were assessed. A within-subject design with two phases (8 weeks diagnostic; 16 sessions treatment) was analyzed using multilevel modeling (MLM). During the treatment phase, significant improvements in tic symptoms, impairment, and self-efficacy to control tics were found on most outcome measures. Treatment effects were found on the clinical rating of tic symptoms (Yale Global Tic Severity Scale [YGTSS]), the self-efficacy to control tics, and the video-observed motor tic frequency by comparing the improvements during treatment with the course of the outcome measures during the preceding diagnostic phase.

A new treatment for children with chronic tic disorders - Resource activation.

The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the efficacy of a resource activation (RA) program as an alternative intervention for children and adolescents with tic disorders. RA interventions focus on the strengths and abilities of the patients. This is expected to improve the patients' perceptions regarding their own resources, which may indirectly result in a reduction of tic symptoms, impairment and comorbid conditions. A within-subject design with two phases (8 weeks diagnostic; 16 sessions treatment) was analyzed using multilevel modeling (n = 24). During the treatment phase, significant reductions of tics were found in clinical rating (Yale Global Tic Severity Scale; YGTSS), parent rating and video observation (motor tics). Moreover, an improvement was shown on most tic-related impairment and subjective burden (SB) ratings. No significant improvement was found regarding comorbid problems and self-esteem. Compared to the preceding diagnostic phase, a significant incremental treatment effect emerged in clinical rating of tic symptoms (YGTSS) and video observation (motor tics). This pilot study provides first hints that RA may represent an effective treatment for reducing tic symptoms, impairment and SB. However, further research is needed in order to establish RA as an effective treatment for tic disorders.