{
  "abstract": "Background\n\nSelective mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder characterized by a persistent failure to speak in specific social situations despite speaking normally in others. Preliminary evidence suggests that intensive behavioral group interventions may be a promising treatment approach. This pilot study evaluated the outcomes of such an intervention for children with SM for the first time in a German clinical sample.Methods\n\nSixteen children aged five to nine with SM were included in the study and fifteen participated in an intensive group intervention based on Parent-Child-Interaction Therapy for Selective Mutism (PCIT-SM). Two baseline, one post-treatment, and one three-month follow-up assessments were conducted. Primary outcome was parent-rated SM symptom severity assessed with the Frankfurt Scale for Selective Mutism (FSSM). Remission status based on a structured clinical interview served as secondary outcome. Changes over time were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models and Cochran's Q tests.Results\n\nSM symptom severity decreased significantly over time with large effects from baseline 1 to post-treatment (dRM = 1.03) and follow-up (dRM = 1.69). No significant differences emerged between the two baseline assessments. Remission rates increased from 0% at first baseline to 47% at follow-up. A significant overall change in diagnostic status across assessments was observed. Exploratory analyses further showed that general anxiety decreased from baseline to follow-up.Conclusions\n\nThe findings provide preliminary support for intensive group interventions based on PCIT-SM principles as a promising treatment for children with SM. Future controlled studies with larger samples and longer follow-up periods are needed to evaluate treatment mechanisms and long-term outcomes. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), DRKS00040917, retrospectively registered on 13 July 2026.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Str. 10, 35394, Giessen, Germany. christina.schwenck@psychol.uni-giessen.de.",
    "Department of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Otto-Behaghel-Str. 10, 35394, Giessen, Germany."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Christina Schwenck"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Megan Williams"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Jana Zimmermann-Hauel"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Carolin Röse-Werkmann"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Gloria Gehb"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Naomi L Werkmann",
      "orcid": "0009-0001-5028-1790"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e8nazgt08tt8f.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1186/s13034-026-01203-4",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13729270",
  "id": "e8nazgt08tt8f",
  "issns": [
    "1753-2000"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42972560",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Research"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "3205|Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7171433844",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13729270?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13729270",
  "pmid": "42972560",
  "published": "2026-10-27",
  "publisher": "BMC",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e8nazgt08tt8f.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-04T15:20:44Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42972560",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42972560"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-07T12:22:04Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13729270",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-026-01203-4"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "journal-openalex:3203|Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development",
      "subfield": "psychiatry"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Intensive group treatment for children with selective mutism: a pilot study with repeated assessments.",
  "title_text": "Intensive group treatment for children with selective mutism: a pilot study with repeated assessments.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-07T12:22:04Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e8nazgt08tt8f",
  "venue": "Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health",
  "versions": []
}