Can online family therapy ease childhood anxiety and OCD?
NCT ID NCT05967468
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Sep 03, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study compares two low-intensity family treatments for children aged 7-13 with anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and a parent-led reading program. Both are delivered via telehealth and compared to a relaxation and mentorship program. The goal is to see if these approaches can reduce child anxiety severity and improve access to care.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered via internet modules and parent-based bibliotherapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could provide effective, accessible treatment options for children with anxiety or OCD that families can do from home.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small trial (100 participants) comparing lower-intensity treatments, so results may not apply to all children or settings. The therapies may not be as effective as in-person CBT.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 100 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2023
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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7 to 13 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * The child is between the ages of 7 to 13 years inclusion at enrollment * The child has clinically significant symptoms of anxiety and/or OCD, as indicated by a score of 12 or higher on the Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale (PARS). * The child is appropriate for anxiety-focused treatment (e.g., anxiety is the primary or co-primary problem as diagnosed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID). * One parent/guardian is able and willing to participate in assessment and treatment (e.g., has sufficient English fluency, the decisional capacity to participate, and can commit to treatment duration). * The participating parent/guardian lives with their child at least 50% of the time per self-report. * Both parent and child are able to read and understand English. * The child has the intellectual and communication skills to engage in CBT, as judged by an experienced supervising clinician. * Participants must be in the state of Texas for treatment sessions/assessments. Exclusion Criteria: * the child has a diagnosis of child lifetime bipolar disorder, drug or alcohol dependence, psychotic disorder, or conduct disorder. * the child has severe, current suicidal/homicidal ideation and/or self-injury requiring medical intervention (referrals will be made for appropriate clinical intervention). * the child is receiving concurrent therapy for anxiety. * New Treatments: Initiation of an antidepressant within 12 weeks before study enrollment OR 6 weeks for an antipsychotic, benzodiazepine, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication before study enrollment. Established Treatment changes: Any change in established psychotropic medication (e.g., antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotic) within 4 weeks before study enrollment. Any medications must remain stable during treatment; downward adjustments due to side effects may be acceptable.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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