Priority 9 from the Neurodevelopmental Disorders Canada PSP

UNCERTAINTY: Which are the most effective pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention(s) to reduce anxiety in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders?  (JLA PSP Priority 9)
Overall ranking 9
JLA question ID 0056/9
Explanatory note This question is aimed at identifying which treatments are best to improve anxiety. This question encompasses identifying which medication-based treatments and which non-medication options (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy) work best. There was also an interest in how this applies to individuals of different ages and effective options for those in rural communities.
Evidence Systematic reviews: 1) Therapist-supported Internet cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD011565.DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011565.pub2.; 2) Ipser JC, Wilson D, Akindipe TO, Sager C, Stein DJ. Pharmacotherapy for anxiety and comorbid alcohol use disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD007505. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007505.pub2.; 3)Wu H, Yu D, He Y, Wang J, Xiao Z, Li C. Morita therapy for anxiety disorders in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD008619. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008619.pub2.; 4) James AC, James G, Cowdrey FA, Soler A, Choke A. Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 2. Art.No.: CD004690. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004690.pub4.; 5)Ori R, Amos T, Bergman H, Soares-Weiser K, Ipser JC, Stein DJ. Augmentation of cognitive and behavioural therapies (CBT) with d-cycloserine for anxiety and related disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD007803. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007803.pub2.
Health Research Classification System category Mental Health
Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples What can be done for a child/adult suffering anxiety linked to their disorder? ~ What work can be done to catch anxiety early before it becomes part of the disability and interferes with daily living? ~ Are there non-pharmacological treatments for anxiety that work well?
Submitted by Mostly family members/carers
PSP information
PSP unique ID 0056
PSP name Neurodevelopmental Disorders (Canada)
Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP. 63  (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop 28 September 2017