Alleviating Specific Phobias Experienced by Children Trial (ASPECT)

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    A non-inferiority randomised controlled trial comparing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of one session treatment (OST) with multi-session cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in children with specific phobias

  • IRAS ID

    210585

  • Contact name

    Barry Wright

  • Contact email

    barry.wright1@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    2 years, 11 months, 0 days

  • Research summary

    Summary of Research
    A specific phobia is an intense, enduring fear of an identifiable object or situation that leads to anxiety, distress and avoidance. It is estimated that a large number of children suffer from specific phobias that can impact on their daily lives for an average of around 20 years. This distress, combined with the associated impact on schooling, social lives and day-to-day living, means that effective treatment options are needed to help children with specific phobias. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is the most common treatment approach and involves addressing unhelpful patterns of thinking about phobias. CBT is effective at alleviating specific phobias; however, CBT is time consuming and often offered at great cost, therefore the provision of CBT for specific phobias has limited availability. Consequently, there is great need for evidence based, alternative, low intensity psychological therapies that are able to bridge the gap between those needing treatment and the sparse availability of resources. One such promising low intensity psychological therapy is One Session Treatment (OST). OST offers a combination of treatment techniques including graduated exposure therapy, participant modelling, reinforcement, psycho-education, cognitive challenges and skills training that are delivered in a single three-hour session. This reduces the need for stressful multiple appointments. Although OST has a growing evidence base, it has never been compared against CBT. The ASPECT trial has two broad aims; i) to investigate the non-inferiority of OST compared to CBT; and ii) to conduct an economic evaluation of OST compared to CBT in children. Should ASPECT achieve these aims, the case for OST as an effective, economically viable intervention option for use within the NHS would be strengthened.

    Summary of Results
    We found that OST was as good as CBT in helping children and young people with Specific Phobias.
    We found that children and young people, their parents/guardians and therapists found OST to be a helpful treatment for them and their needs.
    We found that OST was even a bit cheaper treatment to deliver than CBT.

  • REC name

    North East - York Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    17/NE/0012

  • Date of REC Opinion

    10 Feb 2017

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion