Corrigendum to "Guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for adolescent anxiety: Predictors of treatment response" [Internet Interv. 15 (2019) 116-125].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.invent.2019.01.003.].

Guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for adolescent anxiety: Predictors of treatment response.

BACKGROUND: Guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) has been found efficacious in reducing symptoms of anxiety in adolescents with anxiety disorders, but not all respond equally well. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we explored candidate predictors of ICBT treatment response within the frame of a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Sixty-five adolescents (13-17 years) with anxiety disorders according to DSM-IV received 14 weeks of therapist-guided ICBT. Outcome was evaluated as improvement (continuous change score) from pre-treatment to 12-month follow-up according to self-reported anxiety symptoms and clinician-rated diagnostic severity. Clinical predictors included baseline self- and parent-reported anxiety symptom levels, baseline clinician-rated severity of primary diagnosis, summed baseline clinician-rated severity of all anxiety diagnoses, baseline self-rated depressive symptoms, age of onset, and primary diagnosis of social phobia. Demographic predictors included age, gender and computer comfortability. Therapy process-related predictors included number of completed modules and therapist phone calls, summed duration of therapist phone calls, degree of parent support, and therapeutic alliance. Multi-level models were used to test the prediction effects over time. RESULTS: Higher levels of self- and clinician-rated baseline anxiety and self-rated depressive symptoms, female gender, and higher levels of computer comfortability were associated with increased treatment response. None of the proposed therapy process-related predictors significantly predicted treatment response. CONCLUSION: The present findings indicate that ICBT may be an acceptable choice of treatment for youths, even those with relative high levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms.

A randomized controlled trial examining the efficacy of an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program for adolescents with anxiety disorders.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in adolescence, but access to health care services is limited and only few receive professional help. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) has been proposed to increase accessibility and reduce costs of treatment. OBJECTIVE: The study evaluated the efficacy of a Danish version of the guided ICBT program ChilledOut Online, developed at the Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Australia. METHOD: At the Centre for Psychological Treatment of Children and Adolescents, Aarhus University, Denmark, a randomized controlled trial was conducted with 70 adolescents (13-17 years) with anxiety disorders according to DSM-IV. Participants were randomly assigned to a 14-weeks therapist-guided ICBT or to a waitlist condition. Outcomes were evaluated post-treatment and at 3- and 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: At post-treatment, the ICBT group significantly outperformed the waitlist condition with moderate to large between-group effect sizes on diagnostic severity and anxiety symptoms rated by clinicians, and by adolescents and their parents. Forty percent of adolescents in ICBT were free of their primary diagnosis compared to 16% in the waitlist condition. Treatment gains were maintained at 3- and 12-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Results of the study provide support for the efficacy of guided ICBT for adolescents with anxiety disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02535403.

Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for adolescents with anxiety disorders: A feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a well-documented effective method for the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. While internet based CBT (ICBT) programs for adults have been widely investigated, research on ICBT programs for anxiety disorders in youth is still in an early phase: To date, no such program has been developed or evaluated in Denmark. AIM: As preparation for a randomized controlled efficacy trial, this study aimed at evaluating the feasibility of a translated and adapted version of the ICBT program 'Chilled Out' for adolescents with anxiety disorders, developed at Macquarie University, Australia. METHODS: At the University Clinic in Aarhus, Denmark, we conducted a feasibility study with six adolescents with a primary anxiety disorder. The 12-week ICBT intervention consisted of eight online modules. Participants received weekly phone calls from a clinical psychologist. Semi-structured interviews on participant's experiences of the program were administered post-treatment and at three-month follow-up. Outcome was evaluated post-treatment and at follow-up using diagnostic interview and questionnaires. RESULTS: Five of the six participants completed the program. Participants were generally satisfied with the program and the majority would recommend it to others. Preliminary clinical outcome results indicated moderate to large improvements (e.g., a standardized mean difference from pre- to post-treatment of d = 1.54 on the clinical severity rating of their primary anxiety disorder). CONCLUSION: Results from this study indicate that a translated and revised version of the Chilled Out program could be a feasible psychological intervention for Danish adolescents with anxiety disorders.