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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.
The author of the study, Dr. Liz Shaw, said:
In addition to verifying if the treatments worked for these children, we also included studies that explored the experiences of people giving and receiving treatments. These studies have highlighted the benefits of creating good relationships and providing treatment in what appears to be 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 and / 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.
The author of the study, Dr. Michael Nunns, of the University of Exeter Medical School, said:
The mental health of children and youth is important and it is vital to provide the best response. When we decided to do this research, we hoped to make recommendations about what works to help children and young people with long-term disorders, 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.
Source:
University of Exeter
Journal reference:
Shaw, L. et al. (2019) Interventions to Improve the Mental Health of Children and Youth with Long-Term Physical Disorders: Summaries of Linked Evidence. Health Technology Assessment. doi.org/10.3310/hta23220.
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