Youth Mayo Clinic Anxiety Coach Randomized Controlled Trial

Expanding Access to Therapy for Childhood Anxiety Disorders Via Smart Phones - RCT

This research study aims to test the feasibility and effectiveness of using the Mayo Clinic Anxiety Coach smartphone app as an addition to traditional therapy for the treatment of anxiety disorders in youth, particularly those youth who may have limited access to mental health treatment in the traditional clinical setting.

60 therapists in underserved areas will treat children with anxiety disorders in one of three conditions (treatment as usual, Anxiety Coach with face-to-face therapy, or Anxiety Coach with minimal direct contact) to determine the feasibility of using of Anxiety Coach to increase the frequency of exposure and improve outcomes with varying degrees of face-to-face contact (N = 60 patients).

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 7 to 17

2. Primary diagnosis of:

   1. social phobia,
   2. separation anxiety disorder,
   3. panic disorder with and without agoraphobia,
   4. specific phobia, or
   5. obsessive compulsive disorder

3. A parent or other primary care giver available to participate with the child in all assessment and treatment activities

4. Estimated average intelligence

5. English speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

1. History of and/or current diagnosis of:

   1. psychosis,
   2. autism,
   3. bipolar disorder,
   4. mental retardation,
   5. oppositional defiant disorder,
   6. PTSD,
   7. selective mutism, or
   8. major depressive disorder

2. Current suicidality or recent suicidal behavior

3. Parent to be involved in study who is unable to adequately participate due to intellectual or psychiatric difficulties

4. Starting or changing the dosage of a psychiatric medication in the last two months