The objective of this study was to review the evidence for the effectiveness of complementary and self-help treatments for anxiety disorders and situational anxiety in children and adolescents. A systematic literature search using PubMed, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library for 111 treatments up to February 2006 was conducted. There were 11 treatments for which intervention studies had been undertaken and reported. Studies on each treatment were reviewed by one author and checked by a second. A consensus was reached for level of evidence.
They found that relevant evidence was available for bibliotherapy, dance and movement therapy, distraction techniques, humour, massage, melatonin, relaxation training, autogenic training, avoiding marijuana, a mineral-vitamin supplement (EMPower +) and music therapy. Findings from case-control studies, individual cohort studies or low quality randomised controlled trials indicated that several treatments may have potential to reduce anxiety, including bibliotherapy, massage, melatonin, and relaxation training.
The researchers concluded: “Although some complementary and self-help treatments might be useful for children and adolescents with anxiety, they need to be tested adequately through randomised controlled trials before they could be recommended.”
Sounds predictable. This doesn’t mean that they are not therapeutic, but that the evidence (at an acceptable standard) is not there.
MJA 17 March 2008; 188 (6): 355-359 © The Medical Journal of Australia.
Effectiveness of complementary and self-help treatments for anxiety in children and adolescents, Ruth Parslow, Amy J Morgan, Nicholas B Allen, Anthony F Jorm, Colin P O’Donnell and Rosemary Purcell. Correspondence to Ruth Parslow rparslow@unimelb.edu.au.
Category HSR. Health Services Research, P. Psychological. Keywords: effectiveness, complementary, self help, treatments, anxiety, children, adolescents, sytematic literature search
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne. Posted on Global Family Doctor 27 March 2008
