Can a classroom program stop childhood anxiety?

NCT ID NCT07162402

Prevention Sponsor: Fatima Jinnah Women University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested a school-based program called Super Skills for Life (SSL) to help prevent anxiety and depression in children. 126 fifth graders from six schools in Pakistan took part. The program uses 8 sessions of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to teach kids coping skills. Researchers measured anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and social skills before and after the program, and again six months later.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Super Skills for Life (SSL) program, an 8-session cognitive-behavioral therapy based program
What this could lead to: If effective, this program could be a simple way to prevent anxiety and depression in schoolchildren, improving their quality of life.
What could go wrong: This is a completed trial with 126 children in Pakistan, so results may not apply to other settings. The program is not a treatment for diagnosed disorders.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

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

126 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Sep 2021

Finished

Sep 2021

Lead sponsor

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

9 to 13 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Inclusion Criteria of the study was a selection of children of Grade 5th presented with anxiety symptoms according to their scores equal to or greater than 25 on a total scale score of The Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) with age 9 and 13 years, who can speak and understand Urdu easily. Exclusion Criteria: * Children who have any serious physical/medical diseases, diagnosed mental health issues, developmental delays, or learning difficulties, and are under any psychological treatment were excluded. Furthermore, children who had undergone any surgery or experienced serious traumatic events in the past 6 months and who did not get permission from their parents with written informed consent from parents/ not willing to were also excluded.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety disorder Depression Problem Behavior Social Skills

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Behavioral problems Childhood anxiety Childhood depression Emotional problems Low self-esteem Quality of life (QOL) Social skills

Can a classroom program stop childhood anxiety?

What the study statuses mean