COMB-Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago-anxiety (generalized)-anxiety (social)-anxiety (separation)

This combination treatment arm, part of the Partners in Caring for Anxious Youth (PCAY) clinical trial, consists of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) plus one of three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications: fluoxetine, sertraline, or escitalopram. Sponsored by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, the regimen is being evaluated for the treatment of children and adolescents (ages 7-17) with generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and separation anxiety disorder. The SSRIs function as small molecule inhibitors of the serotonin transporter (SERT), while the CBT component involves an intensive 6-month behavioral intervention with significant family involvement and exposure sessions. The trial compares this combination approach against CBT alone to determine if the addition of medication provides superior remission rates and reduction in impairment.

Other names

Combination therapy (COMB)CBT + SSRIPartners in Caring for Anxious Youth combination arm