Efficacy of psychological interventions for selective mutism in children: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Selective mutism is a rare childhood anxiety disorder characterized by a consistent failure to speak in certain social situations where speech is expected, despite fluent speech in other situations. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy of psychological interventions for selective mutism in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).<br/><b>Methods:</b> Five RCTs with a total of 233 participants were analysed using a randomeffects model. A quality assessment of the included studies revealed that psychometrically sound measures and treatment manuals were used across all studies.<br/><b>Results:</b> The results of the analyses showed psychological interventions to be more effective than no treatment, with the overall weighted effect size of <i>g</i> = 0.87, indicating a large mean treatment effect. This effect did not significantly differ with whether only selective mutism specific or nonselective mutism specific measures were included in the analysis.<br/><b>Conclusions:</b> These findings provide support for the efficacy of psychological treatment for selective mutism. Future research could examine the effects of the successful treatments identified in this meta-analysis when compared with a psychological placebo or another bona fide treatment.