The effectiveness of combining interactive media based cognitive behaviour therapy with art and music therapies for ameliorating the generalised anxiety disorder of children exposed to abduction

Abstract

The researchers examined the efficacy of integrating interactive media-based cognitive behaviour in conjunction with art and music therapy for treating generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) in children abducted in Nigeria. A randomised control trial was carried out using three randomly selected secondary schools in Northern part of Nigeria. The study sample comprised 450 students randomly divided into a control group of (n = 225) and an experimental group of (n = 225). The treatment group was randomly selected into (n = 56) each for cognitive behaviour, art, and music therapy. While CBT + art and music had (n = 57) participants. This study's finding shows that cognitive behaviour therapy combined with art and music delivered through interactive media may be superior for treating paediatric GAD, than using only either CBT, art or music therapy. Participants who were assigned to a combined therapy that involved integrating CBT, music and art therapies reported a lower level of GAD, compared to those who were assigned to either CBT, art, or music alone. However, a cost benefit analysis points to the adopting of CBT in treating the GAD of children kidnapped. This study concluded with some implication for theory and health promotion.