DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.30727727.v1
title: Clinical trials of mental health interventions for Australian children: a rapid review

description: To understand the range and extent of clinical trials research on child mental health in Australia over the last 10 years to inform research prioritisation. PsycINFO, MEDLINE and CENTRAL databases were systematically searched to identify Australian clinical trials published from 2013–2022 that focused on mental health in children aged 0–12 years. A random sample of 33% of articles were selected and data were extracted on each study’s aims, design, participant characteristics, type of mental health problem, intervention details, and child outcome measures. A total of 121 studies from the sample met inclusion criteria. Most trials were randomised controlled trials of treatment interventions (77.7%) for children with a mental health disorder diagnosis (66.1%), followed by prevention programs (33.1%). Few trials focused on select population groups, such as rural/remote communities or Indigenous people. In comparison with prevalence and burden data, we found an under-representation of clinical trials on several mental health problems, including depression, eating disorders, trauma-and stressor-related disorders, intellectual disability and self-harm. Our findings offer a snapshot of the research effort of Australian clinical trials, guiding future trials and child mental health research to alleviate the growing burden of child mental health problems. <b>What is already known about this topic:</b>Childhood mental health problems are a common and increasing occurrence in Australia and globally.Investing in early intervention and prevention of mental health problems are fundamental for improving lifelong mental health outcomes, and preventing mental illness from developing later in adulthood.While clinical trials are essential for the development and improvement of interventions for child mental health, translation of evidence-based treatment is often faced with many barriers to implementation and uptake is slow. Childhood mental health problems are a common and increasing occurrence in Australia and globally. Investing in early intervention and prevention of mental health problems are fundamental for improving lifelong mental health outcomes, and preventing mental illness from developing later in adulthood. While clinical trials are essential for the development and improvement of interventions for child mental health, translation of evidence-based treatment is often faced with many barriers to implementation and uptake is slow. <b>What this paper adds:</b>Most Australian clinical trials focused on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), followed by anxiety, externalising problems (including conduct disorders), and ADHD.Mental health interventions were most commonly psychological or psychosocial in nature and delivered by health professionals in an individual rather than group format.Few clinical trials in Australia children focused on select population groups, children with chronic health conditions and interventions in the perinatal period. Most Australian clinical trials focused on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), followed by anxiety, externalising problems (including conduct disorders), and ADHD. Mental health interventions were most commonly psychological or psychosocial in nature and delivered by health professionals in an individual rather than group format. Few clinical trials in Australia children focused on select population groups, children with chronic health conditions and interventions in the perinatal period.