The Cochrane Library and the treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety disorders: an overview of reviews
Authors: Manassis Katharina , Russell Kelly , Newton Amanda S. 
Published: September 2010

Background

Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric disorders diagnosed during childhood and adolescence. Reported lifetime prevalence of children or adolescents meeting criteria for at least one anxiety disorder in industrialized countries ranges from 8–27%. Current treatment includes psychotherapy (cognitive and behavioural therapies) as well as medication which is almost always used together with psychotherapy, rather than as a stand‐alone treatment.

Objective

To synthesize the evidence currently in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) related to the question: ‘In the treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety disorders, which pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic treatments are known to improve symptom response, response rates, functional capacity, adherence, persistence, and acceptability as well as increase diagnostic remission and decrease adverse events?’.

Methods

The CDSR was searched using the term ‘anxiety disorders’ in the title for all systematic reviews examining pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions for the treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents, including pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. Data were extracted and entered into tables; data were synthesized using qualitative and quantitative methods.

Main Results

Of the studies included in the CDSR, treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety disorders with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) led to significant reductions in anxiety symptoms and increased recovery. Treatment with CBT or behavioural therapy (BT) led to notable reductions in Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) severity and a reduced risk of treatment failure. Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) venlafaxine were superior to placebo in treating OCD and other anxiety disorders. There was no clear evidence that any particular SSRI or venlafaxine was most efficacious or best tolerated. While few studies were available, CBT combined with a SSRI or SNRI led to significant reductions in both anxiety and OCD symptoms. Psychotherapy (CBT/BT), used alone or in combination with medication, had a mixed impact on reducing risk of treatment failure for OCD.

Author's Conclusions

For childhood and adolescent anxiety disorders, including OCD, the CDSR reviews suggest that psychotherapy treatments are efficacious in reducing symptom severity. Although the CDSR does not include a number of recent research publications on CBT, these newer studies further reinforce CBT efficacy. Pharmacotherapy evidence from the CDSR supports using medication in treating anxiety disorders, and while few studies examined combined pharmacological and psychological treatment, results to date are also favourable for this combination. Clinicians should rely on expert consensus guidelines vis‐à‐vis this evidence as treatment decision‐making should be moderated by the patient's illness severity. Psychotherapy remains the first line treatment for mild to moderate symptoms, whereas pharmacotherapy is used for severe or treatment‐resistant disorders. In conclusion, there is a body of literature in the CDSR to support evidence‐based treatment decisions for pediatric anxiety disorders; however, as this is a field that is rapidly expanding its knowledge base, efforts must be made to ensure the most recent evidence is consistently incorporated. Copyright © 2010 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.