Computer-based Treatment Programs for Youth Anxiety: A Systematic Review

The primary aim of this review was to determine whether computer-based treatment programs delivered asynchronously are able to produce a reduction in youth anxiety. Secondary aims were to examine the treatment components and level of therapist assistance inherent to these programs. Searches were conducted using the Web of Knowledge and manuscript quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) Tool. Eleven studies assessing six different computer-based anxiety treatment programs fulfilled the criteria. It was found that programs comprising a variety of CBT anxiety management strategies and which included exposure therapy (BRAVE, Cool Teens and Camp Cope-A-Lot), were able to produce reductions in diagnostic status, severity and self-reported anxiety symptoms. However, those programs being trialled in terms of their ability to reduce both anxiety and depression symptoms or which focused on a single CBT strategy (and which did not include exposure), were not as successful in reducing youth anxiety. Furthermore, higher levels of therapist assistance seemed to be associated with better treatment outcomes. In relation to other measures, computer-based programs were generally found to improve levels of overall functioning and internalising problems, but the results for self-rated depression and other measures were inconsistent. Computer-based treatment is an exciting and progressive area of research, with numerous avenues for extension and advancement.Griffith Health, School of Applied PsychologyFull Tex