Premium
A randomized controlled trial of a home and school‐based intervention for selective mutism – defocused communication and behavioural techniques
Author(s) -
Oerbeck Beate,
Stein Murray B.,
WentzelLarsen Tore,
Langsrud Øyvind,
Kristensen Hanne
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
child and adolescent mental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1475-3588
pISSN - 1475-357X
DOI - 10.1111/camh.12045
Subject(s) - norwegian , randomized controlled trial , psychosocial , intervention (counseling) , medicine , psychology , treatment and control groups , pediatrics , audiology , physical therapy , clinical psychology , psychiatry , surgery , philosophy , linguistics
Background Randomized controlled psychosocial treatment studies on selective mutism ( SM ) are lacking. Method Overall, 24 children with SM , aged 3–9 years, were randomized to 3 months treatment ( n = 12) or wait list ( n = 12). Primary outcome measure was the School Speech Questionnaire. Results A significant time by group interaction was found ( p = .029) with significantly increased speech in the treatment group ( p = .004) and no change in wait list controls ( p = .936). A time by age interaction favoured younger children ( p = .029). Clinical trail registration: Norwegian Research CouncilNCT01002196. Conclusions The treatment significantly improved speech. Greater improvement in the younger age group highlights the importance of an early intervention.