Trial Outcomes & Findings for Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder and Selective Mutism (NCT NCT02554929)

This study was conducted at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Children, aged 4-7 years, were screened to participate in the treatment study by one of the principal investigators (child psychiatrists) at an anxiety disorders clinic in SickKids.

Of the n=93 consented participants, 3 withdrew consent prior to randomization and treatment assignment.

Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder and Selective Mutism

The Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV): Parent Version (ADIS-P) is a semi-structured, clinician-administered, interview of parents used to diagnose anxiety and other related disorders in children and adolescents. Parents were asked to rate for interference or impairment using a 9-point scale ranging from 0 to 8, with 0 being not impaired or not interfering and 8 being significant impairment or interference. A final Clinician Severity Rating (CSR) was then established using the same scale, with a CSR of 4 (moderate degree of impairment) or greater required to establish a diagnosis.

The Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-IV: Parent Version (ADIS-P) is a semi-structured, clinician-administered, interview of parents used to diagnose anxiety and other related disorders in children and adolescents. Parents were asked to rate for interference or impairment using a 9-point scale ranging from 0 to 8, with 0 being not impaired or not interfering and 8 being significant impairment or interference. A final Clinician Severity Rating (CSR) was then established using the same scale, with a CSR of 4 (moderate degree of impairment) or greater required to establish a diagnosis.

The Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) is a clinician rating of overall adaptive functioning during the previous month for children and adolescents between 4 to 16 years of age. CGAS scores are rated on a 100-point scale, with 1 being the most impaired and 100 being least impaired, and descriptors for each 10-point interval such that each 10-point interval defines a range of children's functioning in all areas of their life. CGAS scores were secondary outcome measures. The Change in Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) measures level of general functioning on a 100 point scale - 1 (needs constant supervision) to 100 (superior functioning). Every 10 points global functioning moves to the next category.

The Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) is a clinician rating of overall adaptive functioning during the previous month for children and adolescents between 4 to 16 years of age. CGAS scores are rated on a 100-point scale, with 1 being the most impaired and 100 being least impaired, and descriptors for each 10-point interval such that each 10-point interval defines a range of children's functioning in all areas of their life. CGAS scores were secondary outcome measures. The Change in Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) measures level of general functioning on a 100 point scale - 1 (needs constant supervision) to 100 (superior functioning). Every 10 points global functioning moves to the next category.

The Selective Mutism Questionnaire (SMQ) is a 17-item parent questionnaire that assesses the degree and frequency of speech in 3-to-11-year-old children and provides a proxy measure of selective mutism severity. Parents report on their child's behavior with regards to speaking in the previous two weeks across three broad domains (or subscales): at school (five items), at home/with family (five items), and in social situations (seven items). Parents rate items using a three-point scale that ranges from 0 = never to 3 = always. Lower total scores on the Selective Mutism Questionnaire suggest less speech.

The Preschool Anxiety Scale - Parent report (PAS-P) is a 29-item parent-report questionnaire for use with 3- to 6-year-old children. Parents report on their child's anxiety symptoms in different scenarios. Parents rate items on a 5-point Likert scale.