Children's Therapy for Emotional and Behavioral Issues

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Jessica Pun, BA

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Guelph

Disqualifiers: Low cognitive functioning, suicidality, psychosis, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

202 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to understand how psychotherapy helps children aged 8 to 15 manage emotional and behavioral issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and disruptive behavior. Researchers seek to determine if improving children's ability to handle negative emotions is key to the therapy's success. Children and their parents will either begin therapy immediately or after a short wait, with regular check-ins to track progress. Families already seeking therapy for these issues might be well-suited for this study. The therapy used in this trial is the Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems (MATCH-ADTC). As an unphased trial, this study offers families an opportunity to contribute to understanding effective therapy methods for children.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications. However, since medication tracking is part of the study, it seems likely that participants can continue their current medications.

What prior data suggests that this psychotherapy is safe for children and adolescents?

Research has shown that the Modular Approach to Therapy for Children (MATCH-ADTC) is safe and well-tolerated. This therapy aims to help children with anxiety, depression, trauma, and disruptive behavior. Studies indicate that children receiving this therapy often experience quicker improvements in their symptoms and daily life.

No reports have linked serious side effects to this therapy. It is important to note that this treatment is evidence-based, meaning it has been tested and proven effective and safe for children facing these challenges.

Overall, MATCH-ADTC seems to be a reliable way to help children manage their mental health issues without causing harm. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems because it offers a tailored approach to mental health treatment. Unlike traditional therapy methods that apply a one-size-fits-all strategy, this modular approach allows therapists to customize treatment plans based on the specific needs of each child. This flexibility can lead to more effective and faster results, as it addresses individual symptoms directly. The method's adaptability and focus on personalizing therapy make it a promising option for improving outcomes in children struggling with emotional and behavioral issues.

What evidence suggests that the Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma or Conduct Problems is effective for emotional and behavioral issues?

Research has shown that the Modular Approach to Therapy for Children (MATCH-ADTC) effectively treats anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavior problems in kids. This therapy adapts to each child's needs by employing various methods for different issues. Such flexibility addresses multiple symptoms more effectively than traditional methods. Specifically, children who have used this approach demonstrated significant improvements in their symptoms. In this trial, participants in the intervention arm will receive MATCH-ADTC, recognized for treating complex emotional and behavioral issues in children and teens. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Kristel Thomassin, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Guelph

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children aged 8-15 with anxiety, depression, trauma or disruptive behavior who speak English. Their parents must also speak English and be over 18. The study seeks to understand how therapy can help manage emotions in these children.

Inclusion Criteria

I am seeking help for my anxiety, depression, or disruptive behaviors.

My child is between 8 and 15 years old and speaks English well.

Exclusion Criteria

My child is currently suicidal and needs immediate care or hospitalization.

Child meets criteria for psychosis, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, eating disorders, or autism spectrum disorders

Child does not assent to participate in the study

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete a baseline assessment including symptom scales, clinical interviews, experimental tasks, and physiological measures

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment/Waitlist

Participants receive the MATCH-ADTC treatment or are placed on a waitlist. Weekly measures include brief symptom scales and medication tracking

12-24 weeks

Weekly virtual check-ins

Quarterly Assessments

Participants undergo quarterly assessments every 3 months, including symptom scales, clinical interviews, experimental tasks, and physiological measures

3 months

1 visit (in-person) every 3 months

Post-test Assessment

Post-test assessments are conducted after the intervention/waitlist period, including symptom scales, clinical interviews, experimental tasks, and physiological measures

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4-6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma or Conduct Problems

Trial Overview The study tests a therapy called MATCH-ADTC against a waitlist control group to see if it helps kids better regulate negative emotions across various mental health issues. Participants will undergo assessments including interviews and experimental tasks.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Arm Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Treatment will be administered to participants in this arm.

Group II: Control Arm Active Control 1 Intervention

No treatment will be administered to participants in this arm until post-test assessment has been completed.

Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma or Conduct Problems is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as MATCH-ADTC for:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Trauma
• Conduct Problems

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Guelph

Lead Sponsor

Trials

87

Recruited

15,100+

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials

1,417

Recruited

26,550,000+

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Collaborator

Trials

388

Recruited

84,200+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The MATCH-ADTC program aims to improve the use of evidence-based treatments for children with mental health issues in Norway by addressing the complexities of their needs, with a study involving 280 children aged 6-14.5 years.

This study will compare outcomes between children receiving MATCH treatment and those receiving standard care, potentially leading to better treatment results and increased use of evidence-based practices among clinicians.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluating Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and Conduct Problems (MATCH-ADCT) in Norwegian child and adolescent outpatient clinics: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Hagen, KA., Olseth, AR., Laland, H., et al.[2020]

The MATCH-ADTC program is designed to provide flexible, modular treatment for young people with mental health disorders, addressing multiple issues within a single training framework, which could improve access to evidence-based therapies.

This study will assess the effectiveness of MATCH-ADTC in a randomized controlled trial involving 200 youth participants aged 7-14, aiming to enhance clinical outcomes and increase the use of evidence-based practices in mental health services.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Modular Approach to Therapy for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems in outpatient child and adolescent mental health services in New Zealand: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Lucassen, MF., Stasiak, K., Crengle, S., et al.[2018]

Seven years after training, practitioners reported using the MATCH approach with 55% of their clients, indicating sustained integration of this therapy model into their practice.

The effectiveness and ease of implementing MATCH modules were positively correlated with the amount of prior experience practitioners had, although the actual use of specific modules did not always align with their proven effectiveness, highlighting challenges in applying research findings to practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Practitioners' Use and Evaluation of Transdiagnostic Youth Psychotherapy Years After Training and Consultation Have Ended. Thomassin, K., Marchette, LK., Weisz, JR.[2020]

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective, goal-oriented treatment for children and adolescents, helping them understand and change the negative thoughts and behaviors linked to their emotional problems.

While CBT shows promising benefits for children with physical health issues and chronic conditions, more research is needed to confirm these positive effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evidence-based practice in cognitive-behavioural therapy. Stallard, P.[2022]

Behavioral and cognitive behavioral treatments are effective for addressing trauma-related issues in children, but many lack access to these services.

The article presents a community-based program that delivers in-home and in-school treatment, making evidence-based interventions more accessible to children and families in need.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Community outreach program for child victims of traumatic events: a community-based project for underserved populations. De Arellano, MA., Waldrop, AE., Deblinger, E., et al.[2008]

The Modular Approach to Therapy for Children (MATCH) training led to significantly higher adherence to empirically supported treatment (EST) practices among clinicians compared to usual care (UC), indicating its effectiveness in promoting best practices in mental health treatment.

Despite the increased fidelity to EST in the MATCH group, there were no significant differences in clinical outcomes or service delivery efficiency between MATCH and UC, suggesting that the high level of EST already present in UC may have limited the potential benefits of MATCH.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of Clinician Training in the Modular Approach to Therapy for Children vs Usual Care on Clinical Outcomes and Use of Empirically Supported Treatments: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Merry, SN., Hopkins, S., Lucassen, MFG., et al.[2020]

Children who experience early trauma often face significant negative effects on their biological, emotional, social, and cognitive development, highlighting the need for effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Child-parent psychotherapy (CPP) is an evidence-based intervention that effectively reduces symptoms of traumatic stress in young children and helps restore their normal developmental progress, making it a valuable approach for mental health programs serving traumatized families.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Giving voice to the unsayable: repairing the effects of trauma in infancy and early childhood. Lieberman, AF., Van Horn, P.[2018]

A significant number of children with mental health issues do not receive evidence-based psychotherapy, with less than half meeting with a therapist and fewer than 10% completing the full treatment protocol.

The study highlights the need for shorter and more flexible evidence-based treatment protocols to improve accessibility and adherence in community mental health settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The compatibility of clinical child mental health treatment and evidence-based treatment protocols. Whiteside, SPH., Leffler, JM., Hord, MK., et al.[2020]

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26458917/

Modular Approach to Therapy for Anxiety, Depression ... The Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems (MATCH-ADTC) is designed to overcome these challenges.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6322284/

Evaluating Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with ... MATCH consists of four treatment protocols, one for each problem area; anxiety, depression, trauma, and conduct problems. Randomization: once ...

3. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.639493/full

Evaluating a Modular Approach to Therapy for Children ... In this study we will implement and evaluate the effects of a flexible multidiagnostic treatment called Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, ...

4. plataformadeevidencias.iadb.org plataformadeevidencias.iadb.org/en/casos-avaliados/modular-approach-therapy-children-anxiety-depression-trauma-or-conduct-problems

Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety ... This is a therapy program aimed at treating children and adolescents between the ages of 7 and 13 with symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, ...

5. trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-015-0982-9

Modular Approach to Therapy for Anxiety, Depression ... - Trials The Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems (MATCH-ADTC) is designed to overcome these ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4603305/

Modular Approach to Therapy for Anxiety, Depression ... MATCH-ADTC was specifically designed to combine common elements of treatments for anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, and disruptive ...

7. chdi.org chdi.org/application/files/4317/5261/2250/CHDI_MATCH_Report_061225_V6_DIGITAL_SINGLE_PAGES.pdf

Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, ... (MATCH) is an evidence-based treatment for four common behavioral health concerns among children: anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, ...

8. weiszlab.fas.harvard.edu weiszlab.fas.harvard.edu/file_url/475

Evaluating Modular Approach to Therapy The Modular Approach to Therapy for children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and Conduct problems (MATCH-ADTC) was designed to address these challenges and ...

9. cebc4cw.org cebc4cw.org/program/modular-approach-to-therapy-for-children-with-anxiety-depression-trauma-or-conduct-problems/

Program › Modular Approach To Therapy For Children With ... Results indicate that youth treated with modular treatment showed significantly faster rates of improvement over time on clinical and functional outcomes ...