Karolina Stasiak*, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Stephanie Moor, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand Caroline Donovan, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia Sonja March, University of Southern Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Track: Research Presentation Topic: Web 2.0 approaches for behaviour change, public health and biosurveillance Presentation Type: Poster presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Last modified: 2014-05-15

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Background: BRAVE-ONLINE is an Australian developed computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CCBT) programme for children and adolescents with clinical anxiety. It delivered via the internet and uses child/youth friendly Flesh animations, sound and interactive quizzes and games. The programme consists of ten 1-hour sessions, 5 (in adolescent version) or 6 (child version) parent sessions and two booster sessions. A therapist sends weekly emails to the family to provide feedback and support progress. The programme targets four types of anxiety: social anxiety, generalised anxiety, separation anxiety and specific phobias. The content is based on standard CBT anxiety management techniques.

The Canterbury region (on the South Island of New Zealand) suffered devastating earthquakes and thousands of aftershocks since September 2010. The loss of life, destruction of the inner city and disruption to daily life has impacted most families. Children are particularly vulnerable to disaster trauma and display their distress in a variety of complex psychological and behavioural manifestations. The earthquakes also compromised health resources making it impossible for the psychological services to meet the increased needs of community.

Objective: We set out to conduct an open trial of BRAVE to investigate:
A) the effectiveness of BRAVE with this population;
B) the feasibility of delivery BRAVE in a post-disaster environment;
C) the satisfaction with BRAVE for children, adolescents and their families in the New Zealand context;

Method: We conducted an open trial with 42 participants aged 7 to 14. We conducted diagnostic interviews at baseline and at 6 month follow up (9 months post-baseline). We assessed self-ratings of anxiety, mood, behavioural difficulties and quality of life at baseline, post-intervention (12 weeks) and at follow-up. We collected satisfaction ratings.

Results: Follow-up data collection is expected until April 2014. Preliminary analyses suggest the programme was effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety (child-rated, t=5.78, p<0.001; parent-rated t=3.68, p=0.001) and depression (child-rated, t=t=2.14, p=0.048; parent-rated t=2.72, p=0.015). Full data analysis is expected from May 2014 and full findings will be presented at the conference.

Conclusions: Providing web-based psychological help was feasible in a post-earthquake environment. We encountered fewer challenges than expected regarding internet infrastructure as these were often the first to be re-instated following the earthquakes. Families valued being able to have access to online self-help as it reduced burden in already difficult circumstances.