Evaluating Gaze-Contingent Music Reward Therapy to Enhance Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety in Children and Teens Aged 8 to 17

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the addition of Gaze-Contingent Music Reward Therapy GCMRT to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy CBT for children and adolescents aged 8 to 17 with anxiety disorders such as separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or social anxiety disorder. This study aims to determine whether combining GCMRT with CBT improves treatment effectiveness compared to CBT alone. The trial is a randomized, phase 2 study with triple masking, enrolling about 150 medication-free participants. Participants will begin with 3 weeks of CBT sessions, then randomly receive either an active or control form of GCMRT alongside CBT for 9 weeks. GCMRT involves computer tasks where eye movements are tracked while participants view faces showing emotions music plays or stops depending on their gaze in the active therapy. Weekly CBT sessions last about 2 hours, with computer-based tasks and questionnaires to assess anxiety symptoms and behavior. During the 13-week study, participants attend weekly visits involving CBT, GCMRT tasks, and clinical assessments. Researchers measure anxiety severity using the Pediatric Anxiety Rating Scale weekly, along with global impression and anxiety symptom scales at specific intervals. Final evaluations happen at week 13, including questionnaires and research tasks. The study monitors treatment response and attention bias to understand therapy effects.

Gaze-Contingent Music Therapy Augmentation of CBT for Pediatric Anxiety