Clinician- and parent-reported outcome measures showed that psychosocial interventions were superior to waitlist and treatment-as-usual control conditions at post-treatment .
However , the results of self-reported outcome measures failed to reach significance .
The sensitivity analyses did not significantly change these results and the subgroup analysis indicated that individual treatment was more effective than group treatment .
Anxiety is a common problem in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) .
This meta- analysis aim ed to systematic ally evaluate the evidence for the use of psychosocial interventions to manage anxiety in this population .
Cognitive behavioural therapy ( CBT ) was the primary intervention modality studied .
Group therapy for anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder
Aim : To investigate the acceptability and feasibility of adapted group therapy for anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder in a pilot r and omised controlled trial . Method : A total of 32 children aged 9–13 years were r and omised to immediate or delayed therapy using the ‘ Exploring Feelings ’ manual ( Attwood , 2004 ) . Child and parent groups were run in parallel , for seven weekly sessions , under the supervision of experienced psychologists . The primary blinded outcome measures addressed change in overall functioning and in severity of the primary anxiety diagnosis after 3 months . Results : Children met diagnostic criteria for 1–6 anxiety disorders ( median 3 ) . At end point , both parents and children in the immediate therapy group were more likely to report a reduction in anxiety symptoms . Fidelity of delivery of the group therapy was high , and attendance was 91 % . Conclusions : This pilot trial established that children and families were willing to be recruited and r and omised , the outcome measures were acceptable , the format and content of the groups were feasible within UK child and adolescent mental health services , the intervention was appreciated by families and attrition was very small
Clinician- and parent-reported outcome measures showed that psychosocial interventions were superior to waitlist and treatment-as-usual control conditions at post-treatment .
However , the results of self-reported outcome measures failed to reach significance .
The sensitivity analyses did not significantly change these results and the subgroup analysis indicated that individual treatment was more effective than group treatment .
Anxiety is a common problem in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) .
This meta- analysis aim ed to systematic ally evaluate the evidence for the use of psychosocial interventions to manage anxiety in this population .
Cognitive behavioural therapy ( CBT ) was the primary intervention modality studied .