Effectiveness of videoconference-delivered psychotherapy for children,adolescents,and their parents: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Introduction

Over the last years, videoconference-delivered psychotherapy (VCP) has been more commonly used in clinical practice. This meta-analysis is the first to evaluate the effectiveness of VCP for children and adolescents with a mental disorder and their parents.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the effectiveness of VCP for youths with a mental disorder to a control condition. Twelve studies were included. Two reviewers independently extracted data and rated study quality.

Results

Effect size estimates for measures of children's symptoms of mental disorders were large for comparison between VCP and waitlist (posttreatment: Hedges's g = −1.26, k = 5) and negligible for comparisons between VCP and in-person treatment (posttreatment: g = 0.00, k = 6; follow-up: g = −0.05, k = 3). Similarly, effect size estimates for measures of children's functional impairments were large for comparison between VCP and waitlist (posttreatment: g = −1.10, k = 3) and negligible for comparisons between VCP and in-person treatment (posttreatment: g = −0.23, k = 3; follow-up: g = 0.04, k = 2). VCP more effectively reduced symptoms in children with an internalizing disorder (g = −0.88, k = 5) compared to externalizing disorders (g = 0.25, k = 2) or tic disorders (g = −0.08, k = 3).

Discussion

The results provide preliminary evidence that VCP is an effective treatment for youths with a mental disorder and their parents. VCP was equally effective as in-person treatment in reducing children's symptoms and functional impairments. Limitations include the limited number of RCTs and incomplete reporting of methodological features.