Smartphone Apps for Childhood Anxiety Treatment (Smart-CAT)

STUDY BASICS

Does your child or teen age 9-14 struggle with frequent anxiety, worry, or fear? If so, your child may be able to take part in a research study to find out if a smartphone app can help children learn to better cope with their emotions. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that focuses on exploring relationships among a person's thoughts, feelings and behaviors. CBT “talk therapy” has been shown to be an effective treatment for many children with anxiety. In this study, researchers want to know if adding a smartphone app that actively engages children in therapy can make CBT an even more effective treatment.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOUR CHILD?

• Ages 9-14
• Child experiencing frequent anxiety, worry, or fear
• Parent or primary caregiver must be willing to participate

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

This study requires parent and child to attend 3 study visits (2-4 hours each) for interviews and questionnaires. In addition, your child will have 8 weekly sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a therapist, and will also interact with the app on a study-provided smartphone for about 5-10 minutes per day. Using the app, your child will answer questions and take part in games and activities designed to practice skills learned during CBT sessions. Smartphones will be returned at the end of the study. Parents will be asked to complete an online diary to give feedback on their child’s behavior. These entries should take about 5-10 minutes each to fill out. This research study does NOT involve any medications.