BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health conditions in childhood, affecting an estimated 10 % to 20 % of children. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most commonly employed treatment for these disorders. This study utilizes a meta-analytic approach to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT interventions in reducing anxiety levels among children diagnosed with anxiety disorders.
METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in the "PubMed," "Science Direct," "Scopus," and "Web of Science" databases to identify randomized controlled and quasi-experimental studies that investigated the impact of CBT on children's anxiety levels. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were selected for analysis. The methodological quality of the selected studies was assessed using the "Critical Appraisal Checklists" developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Meta-analytic procedures were performed using the Review Manager 5.4.1 software.
RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies published between 2015 and 2024 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The results indicate that CBT interventions are significantly effective in reducing anxiety levels in children with anxiety disorders (SMD: -1.51, 95 % CI: -2.07, -0.95, Z = 5.28, p < 0.00001). Among the various types of CBT, cognitive behavioral play therapy emerged as the most effective in reducing anxiety (SMD: -2.41, 95 % CI: -2.95, -1.88, Z = 8.84, p < 0.00001). Additionally, follow-up assessments at 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention demonstrated that CBT has a sustained effect in lowering children's anxiety levels over time.
CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis offers a valuable update to the existing literature by reinforcing the efficacy of CBT interventions in treating anxiety disorders in children.
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