Hair Cortisol and Symptoms in Children With Psychopathology During CBT

Helsinki University Central Hospital100 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to examine the relationship between hair cortisol concentration and behavior and sleep disturbance symptoms in children with psychiatric disorders. It also investigates potential changes in hair cortisol and symptomatology after group-based cognitive behavior therapy. Furthermore, the study explores the effects of any alterations in hair cortisol concentration levels on potential behavior and sleep disturbance symptom change over the course of the study.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

100

Conditions

Child Behavior Problem

Interventions

The Friends ProgramBEHAVIORAL

A group CBT intervention comprising ten weekly 60-minute sessions followed by two booster sessions.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 6 YearsMax age: 13 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * symptoms of anxiety or depression * deficiencies in emotional and behavioral skills impairing functioning * sufficient social and cognitive skills to participate in group work. Exclusion Criteria: * excessive physical aggression * excessive physical restlessness * severity of psychiatric symptoms requiring individual psychotherapy (e.g., acute suicidality).

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Hair Cortisol Concentration

Level of hair cortisol concentration measured from hair samples

Time frame: Before and after the group cognitive behavioral intervention (duration from pre-GCBT to post-GCBT circa 4.7 months), and at a 7-month follow-up

Parent- and teacher rated internalizing and externalizing symptoms

The Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA). Scores below 60 reflect the normal range, scores from 60 to 63 the borderline range, and scores above 63 the clinical range

Time frame: Before and after the group cognitive behavioral intervention (duration from pre-GCBT to post-GCBT circa 4.7 months), and at a 7-month follow-up

Child-rated internalizing symptoms

The Spence Children´s Anxiety Scale. A total score of 60 or higher is indicative of elevated anxiety.

Time frame: Before and after the group cognitive behavioral intervention (duration from pre-GCBT to post-GCBT circa 4.7 months), and at a 7-month follow-up

Parent-rated sleep disturbance symptoms

Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC). A cutoff score of 39 and above has been suggested to identify children with sleep disturbance.

Time frame: Before and after the group cognitive behavioral intervention (duration from pre-GCBT to post-GCBT circa 4.7 months), and at a 7-month follow-up

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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