Evaluation of CBT for anxiety in medically unexplained symptoms (1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for anxiety in presentations of medically unexplained symptoms in children and young people: An exploratory multiple case study
IRAS ID
236033
Contact name
Sandra Dunsmuir
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2017/11/36, UCL Data Protection Reference Number
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This exploratory case study aims to explore the treatment of medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) using a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) model focusing on anxiety symptoms, aiming to establish if MUS improve following CBT treatment for anxiety in children and young people. Participants will be aged between 11 and 17 years. MUS in children and adolescents is a large and complex topic into which the research is remarkably limited, as is the evidence base for treatment (Emerson, 2007). MUS can present in a variety of different ways, and the symptoms can have a significant and at times debilitating impact.
There is a more established evidence base for the treatment of MUS in adults. CBT and antidepressant medication have both been identified as effective treatments (Burton 2003). Additionally clinically significant anxiety has been linked with increased levels of unexplained physical health systems (Emerson 2007). The study will be conducted in a specialist child and adolescent mental health paediatric liaison setting. Eligible participants will be those aged between 11 and 17 referred by paediatricians who have confirmed MUS, and difficulties with anxiety which will be identified at a specialist multidisciplinary team meeting. Participants will be offered 8 sessions of CBT treatment for anxiety. A combination of qualitative (service based qualitative questionnaires and semi-structure interviews), and quantitative data (screening with a focus on anxiety, alexithymia, quality of life and overall functioning) will be collected. Including initial assessment, CBT intervention and semi-structured interview the study will last for 10 weeks – with participants attending the clinic once per week. Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis following protocol proposed by Braun & Clark (2006). Quantitative data will be analysed using SPSS to calculate the reliable change criteria.REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0137
Date of REC Opinion
27 Mar 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion