Objective: To review the evidence for the effectiveness of complementary and self-help treatments for anxiety disorders and situational anxiety in children and adolescents.
Data sources: Systematic literature search using PubMed, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library for 111 treatments up to February 2006.
Study selection: There were 11 treatments for which intervention studies had been undertaken and reported.
Data extraction: Studies on each treatment were reviewed by one author and checked by a second. A consensus was reached for level of evidence.
Data synthesis: Relevant evidence was available for bibliotherapy, dance and movement therapy, distraction techniques, humour, massage, melatonin, relaxation training, autogenic training, avoiding marijuana, a mineral-vitamin supplement (EMPower +) and music therapy. Findings from case-control studies, individual cohort studies or low quality randomised controlled trials indicated that several treatments may have potential to reduce anxiety, including bibliotherapy, massage, melatonin, and relaxation training.
Conclusions: Although some complementary and self-help treatments might be useful for children and adolescents with anxiety, they need to be tested adequately through randomised controlled trials before they could be recommended.