Online CBT for preschool anxiety disorders: A randomised control trial

• An internet-based CBT program for preschool anxiety disorders was tested.
• The program was parent-based and comprised six, internet-based sessions.
• 70.6% of completer sample children lost their primary diagnosis by 6-month follow-up.
• Improvements were found in functioning, clinical severity, and anxiety symptoms.
• The internet program appears feasible, efficacious and well received by parents.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an internet-based, therapist assisted, parent-focussed, CBT program for preschoolers with anxiety disorders. Fifty-two children aged 3–6 years were randomly allocated into internet treatment (NET) and waitlist control (WLC) groups. Parents completed diagnostic interviews and online questionnaires at pre-treatment, post-treatment and 6-month follow-up. Results at post-treatment showed a significantly greater reduction in clinical severity, anxiety symptoms and internalising behaviour, as well as a greater increase in overall functioning for children in the NET compared to the WLC condition. However, group differences were not evident from pre- to post-treatment on the percentages of children who lost their primary anxiety diagnosis or who lost all anxiety diagnoses. At post-treatment for the completer sample, 39.1% of the NET children compared to 25.9% of the WLC were free of their primary diagnosis. At 6-month follow-up, treatment gains were maintained in the case of overall functioning and further improved upon with respect to clinical severity, anxiety symptoms and internalising behaviour. By 6-month follow-up for the completer sample, 70.6% of children were free of their primary diagnosis. The results suggest that an internet program for preschool anxiety is feasible, efficacious and well received by parents.Australian Clinical Trial Registration NumberACTRN12612000139875.