Effectiveness of unified protocol for trans diagnostic treatment in children with anxiety disorders: A randomized control trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Children (UP-C) is a theory-derived approach that can target the common underlying processes, such as the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes in emotional disorders in children aged 8–12 years. This study aimed to investigate UP-C's efficacy in treating children's anxiety disorders compared to cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized control trial (RCT), with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up, 34 participants aged 8–12 with anxiety disorders were selected through the restricted randomization method and allocated to intervention (UP-C) or control (CBT) groups by random allocation rule. UP-C group consisted of 15 weekly individual sessions, and CBT included 16 weekly individual sessions. The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (ERQ-CA) and The Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED-71) were completed in the pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up stages. The data of participants were analyzed using the repeated measure analysis of variance. A P- value under. 05 was regarded as significant. RESULTS: Based on the repeated measures ANOVA, UP-C, and CBT significantly reduced anxiety symptoms (P = .002) and emotional suppression (P = .032). Moreover, UP-C and CBT significantly increased emotion regulation (P = .000) and cognitive reappraisal (P = .000). CONCLUSION: The individual UP-C can be effective as anxiety-oriented CBT in treating anxiety disorders. Also, in the three months follow-up, the UP-C's effects were more stable and progressive than the CBT.