The Coping with Unusual Experiences for Children Study (CUES): A pilot randomized controlled evaluation of the acceptability and potential clinical utility of a cognitive behavioural intervention package for young people aged 8-14 years with unusual experiences and emotional symptoms.
Br J Clin Psychol
; 57(3): 328-350, 2018 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29527754
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Health care guidelines recommend psychological interventions for childhood unusual experiences that are associated with distress or adverse functional impact (UEDs), based on adult, rather than child-specific, evidence. We report the first randomized controlled evaluation of the acceptability and potential clinical utility of cognitive behavioural therapy for childhood UEDs (CBT-UED).DESIGN:
Pilot randomized controlled trial.METHODS:
Participants aged 8-14 years were recruited from referrals to community services for children with emotional/behavioural problems and screened for self-reported UEDs.RESULTS:
Of around 1,000 referrals over 36 months, 304 (30%) were identified to the research team, 174 (57%) were successfully contacted, 110 (63%) consented to screening, 96 (87%) attended a screening assessment, and 51 (53%) reported UEDs. Forty-nine (96%) consented to randomization to either CBT-UED (9-12 weekly sessions of 40-50 min, adjunctive to usual care, n = 24) or treatment-as-usual/waitlist control (TAU/WL, n = 25). Childhood internalizing emotional symptoms (e.g., feeling 'nervous'/'scared'/'tearful'/'worried'/'sick'; proposed primary outcome), UEDs, depression, anxiety, and childhood psychopathology (secondary outcomes) were measured at baseline, at 12 weeks, and, where therapy was ongoing but incomplete (<12 sessions) at 12 weeks, at end-of-treatment (EOT). Twenty-two CBT-UED participants (92%) attended ≥5 sessions. Forty-four participants (90%) completed 12-week assessments (CBT-UED, n = 21/24, 88%; TAU/WL, n = 23/25, 92%). Preliminary findings were encouraging for emotional symptoms and UEDs, but otherwise mixed.CONCLUSIONS:
Retention, screening, and consent rates were as anticipated; recruitment took longer than planned. Trial procedures were acceptable to young people, their families, and clinicians. Therapy exceeded 12 weeks, but was well-received, with no serious adverse events attributed to participation. Further evaluation is needed. PRACTITIONER POINTS Around half of 8- to 14-year-olds in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services reported distressing unusual experiences. An age-adapted cognitive behavioural intervention appears feasible, and safe to deliver, with the potential to augment standard care. This is a pilot study, and further evaluation is needed. Longer term outcomes should be a focus of future evaluation.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
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Eixos temáticos:
Pesquisa_clinica
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Adaptação Psicológica
/
Terapia Cognitivo-Comportamental
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Cognição
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Emoções
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
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Diagnostic_studies
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Guideline
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Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
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Child
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Female
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Humans
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Male
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article