TY - JOUR
T1 - Effectiveness of a behavioral treatment protocol for selective mutism in children
T2 - Design of a randomized controlled trial
AU - Rodrigues Pereira, C
AU - Ensink, J.B.M.
AU - Güldner, M.G.
AU - Kan, K.J.
AU - de Jonge, M.V.
AU - Lindauer, R.J.L.
AU - Utens, E.M.W.J.
PY - 2020/9/1
Y1 - 2020/9/1
N2 - Selective mutism (SM) is a relatively rare anxiety disorder, characterized by a child's consistent failure to speak in various specific social situations (e.g., at school), while being able to speak in other situations (e.g., at home). Prevalence rates vary from 0.2% to 1.9%. SM is usually identified between the ages of 3-5 years. It is often underdiagnosed and consequently children receive no or inadequate treatment, with negative consequences for school and social functioning. If left untreated, SM can result in complex, chronic anxiety and/or mood disorders in adolescence and impaired working careers in adulthood. Currently, no evidence-based treatment for SM is available in the Netherlands, therefore this study aims to [1] test the effectiveness of a treatment protocol for SM that is carried out at school, and to [2] identify baseline predictors for treatment success. This article presents the design of a randomized controlled trial into the effectiveness of a behavioral therapeutic protocol for selective mutism in children (age 3-18). The expected study population is n = 76. Results of the treatment group (n = 38) will be compared with those of a waiting list control group (WCG) (n = 38). Pre and post treatment assessments will be conducted at comparable moments in both groups, with baseline assessment at intake, the second assessment at 12 weeks and post-assessment at the end of treatment. If proven effective, we aim to structurally implement this protocol as evidence-based treatment for SM.
AB - Selective mutism (SM) is a relatively rare anxiety disorder, characterized by a child's consistent failure to speak in various specific social situations (e.g., at school), while being able to speak in other situations (e.g., at home). Prevalence rates vary from 0.2% to 1.9%. SM is usually identified between the ages of 3-5 years. It is often underdiagnosed and consequently children receive no or inadequate treatment, with negative consequences for school and social functioning. If left untreated, SM can result in complex, chronic anxiety and/or mood disorders in adolescence and impaired working careers in adulthood. Currently, no evidence-based treatment for SM is available in the Netherlands, therefore this study aims to [1] test the effectiveness of a treatment protocol for SM that is carried out at school, and to [2] identify baseline predictors for treatment success. This article presents the design of a randomized controlled trial into the effectiveness of a behavioral therapeutic protocol for selective mutism in children (age 3-18). The expected study population is n = 76. Results of the treatment group (n = 38) will be compared with those of a waiting list control group (WCG) (n = 38). Pre and post treatment assessments will be conducted at comparable moments in both groups, with baseline assessment at intake, the second assessment at 12 weeks and post-assessment at the end of treatment. If proven effective, we aim to structurally implement this protocol as evidence-based treatment for SM.
KW - Anxiety
KW - Behavioral therapy
KW - Children
KW - Selective mutism
KW - Treatment at school
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85089809041&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2020.100644
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2020.100644
M3 - Article
C2 - 32875140
SN - 2451-8654
VL - 19
SP - 100644
JO - Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications
JF - Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications
M1 - 100644
ER -