The Cochrane Collaboration specializes in “systematic reviews”. Basically, they take a question that has been subject to substantial research and evaluation, and look to see if there is enough consistency and quality to draw a sound conclusion on the subject.

In this case, they looked at whether cognitive behaviour therapy interventions help children and adults who have anxiety disorders. Happily, their conclusions were positive, if a bit limited.

Postdoctoral Researcher and lead author Tessa Reardon tells us,

…our findings reinforce previous conclusions that CBT is more effective than no treatment for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents.  We didn’t find evidence that CBT is superior to alternative treatments, but few studies have compared CBT to alternative treatments so we are still not sure about this.  The review also tells us most about the short-term benefits of CBT, and we still know relatively little about the extent to which these benefits continue in the medium to longer term.

our findings reinforce previous conclusions that CBT is more effective than no treatment for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents.  We didn’t find evidence that CBT is superior to alternative treatments, but few studies have compared CBT to alternative treatments so we are still not sure about this.  The review also tells us most about the short-term benefits of CBT, and we still know relatively little about the extent to which these benefits continue in the medium to longer term.

The good news is limited though, since only about half of the children and adolescents who received cognitive behavioural therapy were considered to have recovered from their disorder. The other half did not.

to learn more:

https://www.cochrane.org/news/author-interview-role-cognitive-behavioural-therapy-anxiety-disorders-children-and-adolescents,