Evaluation of a Primary Prevention Program for Anxiety Disorders Using Story Books

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of a primary prevention program for anxiety disorders. This study was completed between 2000 and 2002, with the final report transmitted to the Quebec ministry of health in 2003.

Detailed Description
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This study reports the results of a study evaluating a book-supported prevention program Dominique's Handy Tricks for anxiety disorders in children aged 9 to 12 years of age. This cognitive-behavioural program is delivered using a combination of story-based books and workshop sessions. The originality of the program comes from the use of story books that were not developed for anxiety management specifically. Every session is based on a story describing characters facing common stressors in childhood and how they managed to cope with their daily problems. In our randomized control trial with 46 children, participation in the program lead to a significant improvement in coping skills, self-efficacy, anxiety sensitivity, signs of anxiety and phobic avoidance. The theoretical and practical elements underlying the delivery of this primary prevention programs are described. It is suggested that such an approach, without any labelling specific to anxiety disorders, can be useful in universal primary prevention programs.

Official Title
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Evaluation of a Primary Prevention Program for Anxiety Disorders Using Story Books

Conditions
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Anxiety

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Dominique's Handy Tricks


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion criteria: Recruitment for this study was open to every child in the school and was carried out with the help of staff from schools in Gatineau and Saint-André Avelin, Quebec. A total of 73 children aged between 9 and 12 years of age were screened. Exclusion criteria: Since the program does not target a clinical population, the following exclusion criteria were used: (1) a global score > 75 on the Child Behavior Checklist; (2) a score > 60 on the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED, child version); (3) outliers on outcome measures administered at pre-test; and (4) children who did not show up for the first workshop. The final enrolled study sample consisted of 59 children.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 9 Years
Maximum Age: 12 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: Waiting list control - no intervention<br>No intervention. After the post-test they were offered the prevention program. | |
| Experimental: Dominique's handy tricks<br>Children assisted to 10 workshops where they learned exercises to control their stress and anxiety. | Behavioral: Dominique's Handy Tricks<br>* Children assisted to 10 workshops where they learned exercises to control their stress and anxiety.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from pre-program on the Coping scale for children and youth | Self-report questionnaire. Participants were assessed before implementing the prevention program (pre), after the program (week 10) and at the 6-month follow-up. | Pre (week 0), Post (week 10), F-up (6-months) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from pre-program on the Childhood anxiety sensitivity index | Self-report questionnaire. Self-report questionnaire. Participants were assessed before implementing the prevention program (pre), after the program (week 10) and at the 6-month follow-up. | Pre (week 0), Post (week 10), F-up (6-months) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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No condition, Primary prevention, Anxiety