Core Outcomes and Measures in Paediatric Anxiety Clinical Trials
Funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)
The Core Outcomes and Measures in Paediatric Anxiety Clinical Trials (COMPACT) Initiative aims to develop a Core Outcome Set (COS) to be used in clinical trials that study treatment for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents.
The Problem
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions among children and adolescents, with onset often occurring as early as 3 to 4 years of age. These disorders impact all aspects of a child’s life including their social relationships, academic functioning and family life. Despite their frequency and impact, there is limited agreement on the most effective treatments.
A key challenge lies in the lack of standardization in outcome selection and measurement across clinical trials. This inconsistency makes it difficult to compare results, synthesize evidence, and apply findings to clinical practice.
To address this gap, we are conducting a scoping review of clinical trials involving children and adolescents (ages 4–18 years old) with anxiety disorders. Preliminary findings highlight substantial variability in both the outcomes selected and the tools used to measure them.
Variability in selected outcomes and measurement tools undermines our ability to draw robust conclusions about treatment efficacy and limits the application of evidence to clinical practice and decision-making.
The Solution:
A Core Outcome Set
Results of the Project:
This project will have a global impact by developing a COS for trials in paediatric anxiety disorders. This COS, which will incorporate outcomes that are meaningful and impactful to youth and caregivers, will be freely available to researchers worldwide to use. The outputs of this project will lead to improved research quality and efficiency, ultimately enabling greater understanding of what treatments work best for which patients, better child and youth mental health outcomes, and better health system utilization.
Check out this video for more information about anxiety disorders in children and adolescents