Is the Cool Kids programme working in outpatient psychiatric clinics? A Danish naturalistic effectiveness study

AbstractBackground & aim: This study investigates the effectiveness of the Cool Kids programme in two outpatient psychiatric clinics for children with anxiety. Efficacy studies find that 60–80% of programme completers improve. It is unclear if the intervention is as effective in real-life clinical treatment, as only one previous Danish effectiveness study has ever been conducted. The goal of all evidence-based interventions is the successful transition from research environments to standard care clinical practice, but there can be substantial differences in the environment, therapists’ education and patient population in the two settings.Method: We have conducted a naturalistic effectiveness study of the Cool Kids programme using the Child Anxiety Life Interference Scale parent-report (N = 39) and child self-report (N = 40).Conclusion: The intervention significantly decreased the interference caused by anxiety symptoms in both the children’s and the parents’ lives from pre- to post-treatment and results w...