CBT Could Benefit the Mental Health of Children with Chronic Disease

According to a recent study from the Faculty of Medicine at Exeter University, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could be beneficial for the mental health of children and adolescents with certain long-term physical conditions. The systematic review used robust methods to gather and make sense of the best science in this area.

Among a series of findings, the team identified evidence of the benefits of CBT in inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pain, and epilepsy. The research was funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) and supported by the NHRI's collaboration for leadership in applied health research and care of the Southwest Peninsula ( PenCLAHRC).

Long-term conditions are common in children. In England, 23% of high school-aged students reported suffering from a long-term illness or medical disability in a recent survey. Children and youth with long-term disorders are four times more likely to experience feelings of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems than those who are physically healthy.

Liz Shaw, author of the study, said, "In addition to determining whether treatments work for these children, we have also included studies exploring the experiences of people giving and receiving treatments." These studies have highlighted the benefits. of creating good relationships and what looks like a "safe space."

Fiona Lockhart, co-investigator of the Patient and Populations Participation Group of the Center for Biomedical Research at University College London, said: "Children and young people with long-term health problems are facing challenges in the future. In addition to their physical illness, many of these young people suffer from mental health problems because of their condition. "

The team also found that parenting education programs reduce behavioral problems in children with acquired brain injury or cerebral palsy. Other studies have shown that children and youth value treatments that meet a range of needs rather than focusing solely on their mental health. The opportunity to meet and establish a supportive relationship with people who are managing their illness in the long term has also been seen as helping some young people by giving them a sense of hope for the future and allowing them to acquire skills to manage their physical and mental health.

Dr. Michael Nunns, of the University of Exeter School of Medicine, author of the study, said, "The mental health of children and youth is important and it is vital to provide an optimal response. When we undertook this research, we hoped to make recommendations What works to support children and young people with chronic illnesses, who also have mental health issues, however we were disappointed by the lack of good quality evidence available to guide the treatment decisions of these children. "

Throughout the study, the team worked with a group of children and youth who provided a realistic view of the issues they face. They were particularly disappointed by the lack of available research and urged researchers to do something about it. Consulting pediatrician Professor Stuart Logan echoed this sentiment: "Managing a health problem like this is essential to help the family manage and help solve the emotional problems often encountered. these children. What's exciting about this project is that it provides researchers with a roadmap for what to do next. We need to work wisely with parents and children to carefully design treatments and test them to help us know if they really work. "

The systematic review will be published in Health Technology Assessment. The full title of the article is: Interventions to Improve the Mental Health of Children and Youth with Long-term Physical Disorders: Summaries of Linked Evidence.

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This research is the fruit of a collaboration between the University of Exeter, the Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London. He received funding from the Health Technology Assessment Program of the National Institute of Health Research (Project 14/157/06) and the collaboration of the National Research Institute. Healthy for Applied Research and Health Care Leadership in the Southwest Peninsula.

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