Abstract/Summary

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To carry out a meta‐analysis of identified studies to determine whether CBT leads to remission of 1) the primary child/adolescent anxiety disorder and 2) all anxiety diagnoses, and/or 3) a clinically significant reduction in anxiety symptoms in comparison with passive (waiting list) controls, active controls, treatment as usual, or medication. To determine the comparative efficacy of CBT alone, and the combination of CBT and medication, versus drug placebo. To determine whether post‐treatment gains of CBT are maintained at longer‐term follow‐up. To describe the age range of participants included in CBT trials in order to determine the age of the youngest participants. To determine whether CBT for anxiety leads to a clinically significant reduction in depressive symptoms, and/or improvements in global functioning. To carry out subgroup analyses of different types of CBT according to 1) amount of therapist contact time; and 2) delivery format (child‐focused individual, group, and with/without family involvement, and parent‐delivered). To carry out a subgroup analysis of CBT for children and adolescents with ASD and for children and adolescents with intellectual impairments.