To review the evidence for the effectiveness of complementary and self-help treatments for anxiety disorders and situational anxiety in children and adolescents.

Systematic literature search using PubMed, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library for 111 treatments up to February 2006.

There were 11 treatments for which intervention studies had been undertaken and reported.

Studies on each treatment were reviewed by one author and checked by a second. A consensus was reached for level of evidence.

Relevant evidence was available for bibliotherapy, dance and movement therapy, distraction techniques, humour, massage, melatonin, relaxation training, autogenic training, avoiding marijuana, a mineral–vitamin supplement (EMPower +) and music therapy. Findings from case–control studies, individual cohort studies or low quality randomised controlled trials indicated that several treatments may have potential to reduce anxiety, including bibliotherapy, massage, melatonin, and relaxation training.

Although some complementary and self-help treatments might be useful for children and adolescents with anxiety, they need to be tested adequately through randomised controlled trials before they could be recommended.