Interventions for anxiety in mainstream school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review
Year: 2020
Type: review
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety in school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder can reduce anxiety Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) interventions to reduce the level of anxiety in students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are moderately effective.1.2 | What is this review about?Anxiety is a common problem in school-aged children with ASD.CBT and other psychosocial interventions have been developed as alternatives to pharmacological intervention to treat anxiety in students with ASD.What is the aim of this review?This Campbell systematic review examines the effects of interventions for reducing anxiety in school-aged children with ASD, compared to treatment-as-usual.The review summarizes evidence from 24 studies using an experimental or quasi-experimental design.1.1 | What studies are included?Twenty-four studies, involving 931 school-aged children with ASD (without co-occurring intellectual disability) and clinical anxiety, are summarized in this review.The studies were experimental or quasiexperimental control-treatment trials, deemed to be of sufficient methodological quality and with reduced risk of bias.Studies spanned the period 2005 to 2018 and were mostly carried out in Australia, the UK, and the USA.Examined interventions ranged across clinical, school-based, or home-based settings, with group or individual treatment formats.Twenty-two of the studies used a CBT intervention.One study used peer-mediated theater therapy and one study examined the benefits of Thai traditional massage for reducing anxiety.Most interventions involved parents/caregivers and were conducted face-to-face.1.2 | What are the main findings of this review?Overall, the effects of interventions on anxiety show a statistically significant moderate to high effect, compared to waitlist and treatment-as-usual control conditions at posttreatment.However, effects differ depending on who reports on the student's anxiety.Clinician reports indicate a very high statistically - --------------------
Source: Campbell Systematic Reviews
DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1086
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W3022260156