Pediatric Anxiety Intervention With an Entertaining Video Game: Feasibility Study

Mayo Clinic20 enrolled

Overview

This research study aims to test the feasibility and effectiveness of using an entertaining video game as an addition to traditional therapy for the treatment of anxiety disorders in youth, particularly those youth who may have limited access to mental health treatment in the traditional clinical setting.

The purpose of this research is to learn whether or not youth with social anxiety find a therapeutic video game engaging and useful. Children between the ages of 7 \& 17 who have been diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder will be invited to participate in this study.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Anxiety

Interventions

Entertaining Video GameDEVICE

Children between 7 \& 17 with a social anxiety disorder will be invited to participate in this study. They will attend a single visit. During the visit they will use the therapeutic game. They will be monitored while using the game. After the completion, they will be asked questions regarding their experience with this therapeutic game.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 7 YearsMax age: 17 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 7 to 17 2. Primary diagnosis of: 1. social phobia, 2. separation anxiety disorder 3. A parent or other primary care giver available to participate with the child in all assessment and treatment activities 4. Estimated average intelligence 5. English speaking 6. Received les than 3 treatment sessions for social anxiety disorder Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of and/or current diagnosis of: 1. psychosis, 2. autism, 3. bipolar disorder, 4. mental retardation, 5. oppositional defiant disorder, 6. PTSD, 7. selective mutism, or 8. major depressive disorder 2. Current suicidality or recent suicidal behavior 3. Parent to be involved in study who is unable to adequately participate due to intellectual or psychiatric difficulties 4. Starting or changing the dosage of a psychiatric medication in the last two months

Locations (1)

Mayo Clinic

Rochester, Minnesota, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Mean Change From Baseline in Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS) at End of Session

Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDs) - of 0 to 10 ratings, where 0 indicates that they feel no anxiety whatsoever and 10 indicates that they are experiencing maximum distress. The child interacts with the game for up to 30 minutes. The interviewer observes and records the child's interaction with the game. The child then has an opportunity to perform a real life exposure. For the remainder of the time, the interviewer will interview the child about his/her experience with the game. They will also get feedback from the parent.

Time frame: approximately 10 minutes

Secondary Outcomes

Average Child Rating of Preferring the Game to Not Having the Game

rating of 0(without) to 10 (with) preference to use game

Time frame: approximately 30 minutes

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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