Pesky gNATs: A Pilot Study of Computerised CBT for Adolescents
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Pesky gNATs: A pilot study to investigate the outcomes of a computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (cCBT) programme for adolescents with anxiety and depression
IRAS ID
162440
Contact name
Rosanna Chapman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 30 days
Research summary
There is a large evidence base for the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for reducing child and adolescent depression and anxiety (Compton et al., 2004). However, it is known that a significant proportion of young people do not access services for psychological difficulties (Ford, Goodman and Meltzer, 2003b), meaning that the format and delivery of evidence based interventions must be considered. Several small scale studies investigating the use of computerised CBT (cCBT) with children and adolescents has shown promising outcomes for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression (Abeles et al., 2009; Stallard, Richardson, Velleman & Attwood, 2011). However, the evidence is currently limited. This study aims to investigate whether a cCBT programme designed for people aged between 13 and 18 years is effective at reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression for adolescents who are on a waiting list for individual CBT in a specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health service (CAMHS). Although this programme is currently being used in mental health services, it is yet to be formally evaluated.
30 adolescents will be recruited from two specialist children's mental health services. Participants from the waiting list will be offered cCBT either straight away (immediate cCBT group) or after a short waiting period (delayed cCBT group). Both groups will be required to complete 4 questionnaires measuring symptoms of anxiety/depression, functioning in areas of school/home, self-esteem and beliefs about themselves at pre-intervention, post- intervention and one month follow up. Parents will also be required to complete 2 questionnaires about their young person’s symptoms of anxiety, depression and functioning at the same time points. The cCBT programme will take approximately 45 minutes per session for a total of 7 sessions. At the end of the intervention, participants will remain on the waiting list, unless the participant decides that a service is no longer required.
REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
14/WA/1117
Date of REC Opinion
23 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion