Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and associated emergency measures (EM) have dramatically impacted the lives of children/adolescents (children) and families. The closure of schools, social and recreational activities, and modifications to work environments has led to significant changes in the way children and families are working, living and socializing. Although the impact on the mental health of children and families has not been well researched, it is anticipated that already stressed children and families with pre-COVID-19 mental health challenges are at significant risk for deterioration in their mental health. As such, the implementation, and evaluation (specifically: feasibility, acceptability and barriers) of virtual-care interventions to alleviate child and family anxiety and enhance family functioning are critical. Virtual-care also optimizes health equity initiatives in reducing social, economic and environmental barriers to services that can improve or maintain mental health (WHO, 2017; MOHLTC, 2018). The current study will evaluate an adapted virtual-care cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program for children with anxiety (VC-CBT). CBT has a strong evidence-base in treating children with anxiety disorders (Higa-McMillan, Francis, Rith-Najarian, and Chorpita, 2016; Seligman and Ollendick, 2011), with increasing evidence supporting the efficacy of virtual-care CBT for childhood anxiety disorders (Carpenter, Pincus, Furr, and Comer, 2018; Slone, Reese, and McClellan, 2012). This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, participation barriers related to social determinants of health (SDH) and acceptability of this virtual-care intervention in addressing mental health challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing EM in the immediate time-period. Early evaluation of this virtual-care intervention will enable future scale-up of this intervention during the post-pandemic recovery time-period and during subsequent COVID-19 waves, if necessary.
Age range
12 Years – 17 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Participation Barriers
Timeframe: The Social Determinants of Health Questionnaire will be administered at baseline only, for each participant (approximately one week prior to the first of twelve sessions in the intervention).
Number of Eligible Participants
Timeframe: The number of participants that were eligible for the study will be captured through study completion, estimated at approximately 1 year.
Number of Participants Approached
Timeframe: The number of participants that were approached for the study will be captured through study completion, estimated at approximately 1 year.
Number of Participants Consented
Timeframe: The number of participants that were consented for the study will be captured through study completion, estimated at approximately 1 year.
Rates of Refusal
Timeframe: The rates of refusal for participation in the study will be assessed through study completion, estimated at approximately 1 year.
Reasons for Refusal
Timeframe: The reasons of refusal for participation in the study will be assessed through study completion, estimated at approximately 1 year.
Number of Sessions Completed in Total
Timeframe: The average number of sessions completed in total, for each participant, will be assessed through study completion, estimated at approximately 1 year.
Adherence Index
Timeframe: The adherence index, for each participant, will be assessed through study completion, estimated at approximately 1 year.
Amount of time (in weeks) to complete the intervention
Timeframe: The amount of time (in weeks) to complete the intervention, for each participant, will be assessed through study completion, estimated at approximately 1 year.
Intervention Acceptability
Timeframe: The Virtual Care Satisfaction Survey will be administered once, within approximately one week after completion of the twelfth (final) intervention session (estimated to occur approximately 12 to 16 weeks after initiation of the study).
Participant Satisfaction
Timeframe: The Virtual Care Satisfaction Survey will be administered once, within approximately one week after completion of the twelfth (final) intervention session (estimated to occur approximately 12 to 16 weeks after initiation of the study).
Working Alliance Inventory after First Intervention Session
Timeframe: The Working Alliance Inventory will be administered within approximately one week after completion of the first intervention session (estimated to occur approximately 1 to 2 weeks after initiation of the study).
Working Alliance Inventory after Sixth Intervention Session
Timeframe: The Working Alliance Inventory will be administered within approximately one week after completion of the sixth intervention session (estimated to occur approximately 6 to 8 weeks after initiation of the study).
Working Alliance Inventory after Final Intervention Session
Timeframe: The Working Alliance Inventory will be administered within approximately one week after completion of the twelfth (final) intervention session (estimated to occur approximately 12 to 16 weeks after initiation of the study).