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© The Author(s) 2022. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Background

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children can lead to a huge burden on the concerned patients and their family members. While successful state-of-the art cognitive behavioral interventions exist, there is still a lack of available experts for treatment at home, where most symptoms manifest. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) could overcome these restrictions; however, studies about iCBT in children with OCD are rare and mostly target computerized self-help resources and only email contact with the therapist. Therefore, we intended to build up and to evaluate an iCBT approach for children with OCD, replacing successful elements of traditional in-office face-to-face CBT, with face-to-face teleconferences, online materials, and apps.

Methods

With the help of a pilot feasibility study, we developed the iCBT consisting of 14 teleconference sessions with the child and parents. The sessions are supported by an app assessing daily and weekly symptoms and treatment course completed by children and parents. Additionally, we obtain heart rate and activity scores from the child via wristbands during several days and exposure sessions. Using a waiting list randomized control trial design, we aim to treat and analyze 20 children with OCD immediately after a diagnostic session whereas the control group of another set of 20 OCD patients will be treated after waiting period of 16 weeks. We will recruit 30 patients in each group to take account for potential dropouts. Outcomes for the treatment group are evaluated before randomization (baseline, t0), 16 weeks (end of treatment, t1), 32 weeks (follow-up 1, t2), and 48 weeks after randomization (follow-up 2, t3). For the waiting list group, outcomes are measured before the first randomization (baseline), at 16 weeks (waiting list period), 32 weeks (end of treatment), 48 weeks after the first randomization (follow-up I), and 64 weeks after the first randomization (follow-up II).

Discussion

Based on our experience of feasibility during the pilot study, we were able to develop the iCBT approach and the current study will investigate treatment effectiveness. Building up an iCBT approach, resembling traditional in-office face-to-face therapy, may ensure the achievement of well-known therapy effect factors, the acceptance in both patients and clinicians, and the wide distribution within the health system.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT05037344. Registered May 2019, last release August 13th, 2021.

Details

Title
Internet-based psychotherapy in children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Author
Conzelmann, Annette 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Hollmann, Karsten 2 ; Haigis, Anna 2 ; Lautenbacher, Heinrich 3 ; Bizu, Verena 3 ; App, Rehan 3 ; Nickola, Matthias 4 ; Wewetzer, Gunilla 5 ; Wewetzer, Christoph 5 ; Ivarsson, Tord 6 ; Skokauskas, Norbert 7 ; Wolters, Lidewij H. 8 ; Skarphedinsson, Gudmundur 9 ; Weidle, Bernhard 10 ; de Haan, Else 11 ; Torp, Nor Christian 12 ; Compton, Scott N. 13 ; Calvo, Rosa 14 ; Lera-Miguel, Sara 14 ; Alt, Annika 2 ; Hohnecker, Carolin Sarah 2 ; Allgaier, Katharina 2 ; Renner, Tobias J. 2 

 University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Tübingen, Germany (GRID:grid.411544.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0196 8249); PFH – Private University of Applied Sciences, Department of Psychology (Clinical Psychology II), Göttingen, Germany (GRID:grid.462770.0) (ISNI:0000 0004 1771 2629) 
 University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Tübingen, Germany (GRID:grid.411544.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0196 8249) 
 University Hospital Tübingen, Section for Information Technology, Tübingen, Germany (GRID:grid.411544.1) (ISNI:0000 0001 0196 8249) 
 Freelance Software Developer, Reutlingen, Germany (GRID:grid.411544.1) 
 Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinics of the City of Cologne, Cologne, Germany (GRID:grid.411544.1) 
 University of Gothenburg, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Gothenburg, Sweden (GRID:grid.8761.8) (ISNI:0000 0000 9919 9582) 
 Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Trondheim, Norway (GRID:grid.8761.8) 
 Academisch Medisch Centrum Universiteit van Amsterdam, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (GRID:grid.5650.6) (ISNI:0000000404654431) 
 University of Iceland, Faculty of Psychology, Reykjavik, Iceland (GRID:grid.14013.37) (ISNI:0000 0004 0640 0021) 
10  Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Trondheim, Norway (GRID:grid.14013.37) 
11  Academic Center for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (GRID:grid.14013.37) 
12  Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Eastern and Southern, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo, Norway (GRID:grid.14013.37); Akershus University Hospital, Division of Mental Health Services, Lørenskog, Norway (GRID:grid.411279.8) (ISNI:0000 0000 9637 455X) 
13  Duke Child and Family Study Center, Durham, USA (GRID:grid.411279.8) 
14  Barcelona University, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (GRID:grid.5841.8) (ISNI:0000 0004 1937 0247) 
Pages
164
Publication year
2022
Publication date
Dec 2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
e-ISSN
17456215
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2730344732
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2022. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.