The present study (Echo) will promote much needed research and innovation that optimize service provision in first line health services for the alarmingly high number of school children who suffer from clinical and subthreshold levels of anxiety and depression. The effect of different versions of an evidence-based intervention for this group of children will be tested using a cluster randomized design involving 40 schools across Norway. The aim is to create a framework that allows more evidence-based psychosocial interventions to be provided at a lower cost to society. Echo will provide knowledge about three main evidence gaps for children: (1) The effect of school-based preventive interventions on anxiety and depression; (2) The effect of feedback informed systems, and; (3) the effect and cost-effectiveness of digital health interventions using online sessions and virtual reality technology.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
1,364
The MFS will include an idiographic measure of personal aims, symptom burden, displayed on a visual data dashboard to guide further intervention. The EMOTION intervention for children 9 to 12 years with symptoms of anxiety and/or depression will be used in a standard/long version (16 sessions) and a short (8 sessions) but optimized version, using a partial web-based solution with virtual reality (VR)-technology for behavioral experiments and exposure (in short and long version). Parental involvement: Parental participation in a 5-session parent group (high involvement) versus sharing information with parents via a brochure (low Parental involvement).
Regionsenter for barn og unges psykiske helse
Oslo, Norway
Regional kunnskapssenter for barn og unge - Nord
Tromsø, Norway
Regional kunnskapssenter for barn og unge - Midt
Trondheim, Norway
Multidimensional Anxiety Scale
Anxiety symptoms, minimum 0 to maximum 117, high score indicates worse outcome
Time frame: Time 1 baseline
Multidimensional Anxiety Scale
Anxiety symptoms, minimum 0 to maximum 117, high score indicates worse outcome
Time frame: Time 2 after approximal 10 weeks
Multidimensional Anxiety Scale
Anxiety symptoms, minimum 0 to maximum 117, high score indicates worse outcome
Time frame: Time 3 after approximal 1 year
Mood and Feeling Questionnaire
Depression symptoms, minimum 0 to maximum 26, high score indicates worse outcome
Time frame: Time 1 baseline
Mood and Feeling Questionnaire
Depression symptoms, minimum 0 to maximum 26, high score indicates worse outcome
Time frame: Time 2 after approximal 10 weeks
Mood and Feeling Questionnaire
Depression symptoms, minimum 0 to maximum 26, high score indicates worse outcome
Time frame: Time 3 after approximal one year
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.