Exploring How Effective, Acceptable, and Practical a CBT-Sensory Modulation Approach Is for Supporting Children Aged 4-7 Experiencing Anxiety.
Tafadzwa Mavhunga, Daniel Sutton, Mandie Foster
PMID 42138245WHAT IT FOUND
A six-session CBT plus sensory modulation programme was followed by reduced anxiety, better functioning, and four of six children no longer meeting anxiety disorder criteria at follow-up.
It was acceptable to five of six mothers, but the study was small and had no comparison group.
Key findings
01The study reports reductions in anxiety symptoms and reduced anxiety-related interference in daily life, with effects replicated across all six participants.
02Four of six children no longer met criteria for an anxiety disorder at post-intervention and at 1-month follow-up.
03Five of six mothers and all children found the programme acceptable; therapists found it helpful and practical, but one mother said some material was too advanced for younger children.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only six children were studied, so the findings cannot show what would happen in a typical clinic. There was no control group, so improvements could have had other causes. Follow-up was only 1 month, so long-term maintenance is unclear. Some follow-up data were missing. Outcome ratings relied heavily on parent and child reports, and parental expectations may have influenced them. Therapists had only 8 hours of training and no prior formal CBT or sensory modulation training. Therapist fidelity was moderate, with a Cohen's kappa of 0.55. Some children showed higher scores after the intervention, linked to family and social circumstances during the COVID-19 period. Only one teacher participated, limiting comparison of parent and teacher perspectives. The sample had limited ethnic diversity.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that either CBT or sensory modulation alone caused the improvements. The children received both components together, so their separate contributions cannot be separated. Only six children were studied, there was no control group, and follow-up was 1 month.