School-based Interventions for Test Anxiety in Adolescents

NCT ID: NCT03610542

Last Updated: 2020-09-04

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

400 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2021-09-30

Study Completion Date

2024-12-31

Brief Summary

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This study evaluates the clinical and cost effectiveness of test anxiety as a form of selective prevention for clinical anxiety. Participants will be randomly allocated to cognitive behavioural therapy without booster sessions, cognitive behavioural therapy with two booster sessions, or a no intervention control.

Detailed Description

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Test anxiety affects a substantial proportion of adolescents, who show an increased risk of suicide, and of developing clinical anxiety and poor mental health. Externally resourced school-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions have been shown to be effective in treating test anxiety. Intervening in test anxiety, a sub-clinical anxiety, may prevent anxieties from developing into a clinical disorder. The primary outcomes are test anxiety, clinical anxiety, and wellbeing, measured at baseline, post-intervention, and 6 and 12-month follow-up. In addition, to identify treatment mechanisms additional measures are taken of uncertain control, metacognition, and emotional regulation.

Conditions

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Anxiety

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants will be randomly allocated to one of three conditions: Cognitive behavioural therapy with no booster sessions, Cognitive behavioural therapy with 2 booster sessions or a no intervention control arm.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants
Sequentially numbered opaque sealed envelopes will be used to conceal allocation. Envelopes will be prepared by a member of the research team and opened by participants.

Study Groups

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Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

Cognitive behaviour therapy conducted in groups of 6-8 persons.One forty-five minute session per week for 6 weeks: Triggers for anxiety, identifying and challenging negative thoughts, relaxation, overcoming avoidance, and goal setting.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Triggers for anxiety

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Students learn about different triggers for anxiety, what the signs and indicators of anxiety are, and identify their own triggers for anxiety

Identifying and challenging negative thoughts

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Students learn about the types of unrealistic thoughts that underpin anxiety and how anxiety can be reduced with more realistic thoughts. Students identify their own unrealistic thoughts that contribute to anxiety and what more realistic thoughts can be used.

Relaxation

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Students are taught to relax through (1) breathing exercises, (2) progressive muscle relaxation, and (3) imagery. Student practice these techniques.

Goal Setting

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Students learn how to set goals, monitor goal progress, and check when goals have been achieved. Students then identify their own goals.

Overcoming avoidance

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Students identify ways that they avoid anxiety-provoking situations (e.g., procrastinating exam study). Students develop plans for exposure to anxiety-provoking situations and learn study strategies to build confidence.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with 2 Booster Sessions

Cognitive behaviour therapy conducted in groups of 6-8 persons.One forty-five minute session per week for 6 weeks: Triggers for anxiety, identifying and challenging negative thoughts, relaxation, overcoming avoidance, and goal setting. 2 booster sessions (forty-five minutes each) will be provided at three and nine months. Each session will recap the content of the initial 6 sessions.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Triggers for anxiety

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Students learn about different triggers for anxiety, what the signs and indicators of anxiety are, and identify their own triggers for anxiety

Identifying and challenging negative thoughts

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Students learn about the types of unrealistic thoughts that underpin anxiety and how anxiety can be reduced with more realistic thoughts. Students identify their own unrealistic thoughts that contribute to anxiety and what more realistic thoughts can be used.

Relaxation

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Students are taught to relax through (1) breathing exercises, (2) progressive muscle relaxation, and (3) imagery. Student practice these techniques.

Goal Setting

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Students learn how to set goals, monitor goal progress, and check when goals have been achieved. Students then identify their own goals.

Overcoming avoidance

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Students identify ways that they avoid anxiety-provoking situations (e.g., procrastinating exam study). Students develop plans for exposure to anxiety-provoking situations and learn study strategies to build confidence.

Control

This is a no intervention control arm

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Triggers for anxiety

Students learn about different triggers for anxiety, what the signs and indicators of anxiety are, and identify their own triggers for anxiety

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Identifying and challenging negative thoughts

Students learn about the types of unrealistic thoughts that underpin anxiety and how anxiety can be reduced with more realistic thoughts. Students identify their own unrealistic thoughts that contribute to anxiety and what more realistic thoughts can be used.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Relaxation

Students are taught to relax through (1) breathing exercises, (2) progressive muscle relaxation, and (3) imagery. Student practice these techniques.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Goal Setting

Students learn how to set goals, monitor goal progress, and check when goals have been achieved. Students then identify their own goals.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Overcoming avoidance

Students identify ways that they avoid anxiety-provoking situations (e.g., procrastinating exam study). Students develop plans for exposure to anxiety-provoking situations and learn study strategies to build confidence.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

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STEPS STEPS STEPS STEPS STEPS

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Participants are aged 14-16 years of age
* In the upper 66th percentile of test anxiety scores

Exclusion Criteria

* Participants are receiving other treatment for anxiety
* Participants have a diagnosis of clinical anxiety depression or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Minimum Eligible Age

14 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

16 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Wellcome Trust

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Manchester University

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Leeds University

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

Liverpool John Moores University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Central Contacts

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David W Putwain, PhD

Role: CONTACT

(+44) 0151 231 5270 ext. 5270

David Seddon, BSc

Role: CONTACT

(+44) 0151 231 4534 ext. 4534

Other Identifiers

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EHC0341

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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