scholarly journals The Implementation of an mHealth Intervention (ReZone) for the Self-Management of Overwhelming Feelings Among Young People (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe Edridge ◽  
Jessica Deighton ◽  
Miranda Wolpert ◽  
Julian Edbrooke-Childs
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Mhealth Intervention ◽  
Digital Interventions ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Randomised Controlled

BACKGROUND The association between mental health difficulties and academic attainment is well established. There is increasing research on mobile health (mHealth) interventions to provide support for the mental health and education of young people. However, nonadoption and inadequate implementation of mHealth interventions are prevalent barriers to such trials. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to bridge this gap and examine the implementation of an mHealth intervention, ReZone, for young people in schools. METHODS Preliminary data for 79 students collected as part of a larger trial were analyzed. We additionally conducted postimplementation consultations with teachers. RESULTS ReZone was used 1043 times by 36 students in the intervention arm during the study period. Postimplementation teacher consultations provided data on implementation strategies, barriers, and facilitators. CONCLUSIONS Implementation strategies, barriers, and facilitators for digital interventions need to be considered to limit nonadoption and inadequate implementation in larger trials. Important considerations involve tailoring the characteristics of the intervention to the requirements of the intended user group, the technology itself, and the organization in which it is implemented. CLINICALTRIAL International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number: 13425994; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN13425994

scholarly journals An mHealth Intervention (ReZone) to Help Young People Self-Manage Overwhelming Feelings: Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chloe Edridge ◽  
Miranda Wolpert ◽  
Jessica Deighton ◽  
Julian Edbrooke-Childs
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Young People ◽  
Outcome Measurement ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Mhealth Intervention ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Cluster Randomized

BACKGROUND Mental health difficulties in young people are increasing, and there is a need for evidence on the effectiveness of digital interventions to increase opportunities for supporting mental health in young people. Such studies are complicated due to issues of implementation and adoption, outcome measurement, and appropriate study designs. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an mHealth intervention (ReZone) in reducing mental health difficulties in young people. METHODS The cluster-randomized controlled trial enrolled 409 participants aged 10-15 years, and classes were allocated to ReZone or management as usual. Self-reported questionnaires were completed at baseline and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the ReZone condition and management as usual in the self-reported outcome measures. However, there were 3467 usage sessions, which corresponds to 16.9 times per student (total of 205 students) in classes allocated to ReZone. CONCLUSIONS It is essential to publish studies that do not show significant differences, as these findings can still contribute to the literature, help in learning, and inform the direction of future work. The results reported in this paper could be due to a range of reasons, including whether ReZone has the scope to impact change or limitations related to the setting, context, and appropriateness of an RCT. The findings of this study suggest that ReZone was implemented and adopted. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/resprot.7019

scholarly journals An mHealth Intervention (ReZone) to Help Young People Self-Manage Overwhelming Feelings: Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/14223 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. e14223
Author(s):  
Chloe Edridge ◽  
Miranda Wolpert ◽  
Jessica Deighton ◽  
Julian Edbrooke-Childs
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Young People ◽  
Outcome Measurement ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Mhealth Intervention ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Cluster Randomized

Background Mental health difficulties in young people are increasing, and there is a need for evidence on the effectiveness of digital interventions to increase opportunities for supporting mental health in young people. Such studies are complicated due to issues of implementation and adoption, outcome measurement, and appropriate study designs. Objective The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an mHealth intervention (ReZone) in reducing mental health difficulties in young people. Methods The cluster-randomized controlled trial enrolled 409 participants aged 10-15 years, and classes were allocated to ReZone or management as usual. Self-reported questionnaires were completed at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Results There were no significant differences between the ReZone condition and management as usual in the self-reported outcome measures. However, there were 3467 usage sessions, which corresponds to 16.9 times per student (total of 205 students) in classes allocated to ReZone. Conclusions It is essential to publish studies that do not show significant differences, as these findings can still contribute to the literature, help in learning, and inform the direction of future work. The results reported in this paper could be due to a range of reasons, including whether ReZone has the scope to impact change or limitations related to the setting, context, and appropriateness of an RCT. The findings of this study suggest that ReZone was implemented and adopted. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/resprot.7019

scholarly journals A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial of the Peer Tree Digital Intervention Targeting Loneliness Iin Young People: A Study Protocol

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle H Lim ◽  
Lily Thurston ◽  
Robert Eres ◽  
Thomas L Rodebaugh ◽  
Mario Alvarez-Jimenez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Young People ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Positive Psychology Interventions ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background: Young people are vulnerable to experiencing problematic levels of loneliness which can lead to poor mental health outcomes. Loneliness is a malleable treatment target and preliminary evidence has shown that it can be addressed with digital platforms. Peer Tree is a strengths-based digital smartphone application aimed at reducing loneliness. The study aim is to reduce loneliness, and assess the acceptability, usability, and feasibility of Peer Tree in young people enrolled at university. Methods: This will be a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing a strengths-based digital smartphone application (Peer Tree) with a treatment as usual (TAU) condition. Forty-two young people enrolled at university will be recruited for this pilot RCT. Participants with suicidality risk, acute psychiatric symptoms in the past month, or a current diagnosis of a mood or social anxiety disorder will be excluded. Allocation will be made on a 1:1 ratio and will occur after the initial baseline assessment. Assessments are completed at baseline, post-intervention, and at follow-up. Participants in the TAU condition complete the same three assessment sessions. The primary outcomes of the study will be self-reported loneliness as well as the acceptability, usability, feasibility and safety of Peer Tree. Depression, social anxiety, and quality of life variables will also be measured as secondary outcomes. Discussion: This trial will report the findings of implementing Peer Tree, a smartphone application aimed at reducing loneliness in university students. Findings from this trial will highlight the initial efficacy, acceptability and feasibility of using digital positive psychology interventions to reduce subthreshold mental health concerns. Findings from this trial will also describe the safety of Peer Tree as a digital tool. Results will contribute evidence for positive psychology interventions to address mental ill-health.Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry, ACTRN12619000350123. Registered 6th March 2020

scholarly journals Protocol for the RELATE trial: a feasibility and pilot randomised controlled trial of a low-intensity group intervention for young people in care with elevated posttraumatic stress symptoms

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel M. Hiller ◽  
Rebecca S. Davis ◽  
John Devaney ◽  
Sarah L. Halligan ◽  
Richard Meiser-Stedman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Young People ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Introduction Young people in out-of-home care have often experienced trauma, such as direct maltreatment or witnessing violence. There is good evidence that rates of mental health difficulties are high in this group, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a trauma-specific mental health outcome. There remains less evidence to guide how to effectively address elevated PTSD symptoms (PTSS) in these young people, particularly in ways that are feasible and scalable for stretched social-care and mental health services. Methods and analysis This protocol describes a feasibility study comprising a pilot two-arm randomised controlled trial (RCT). Participants (N = 50) will be randomised to either (a) a group-based trauma-focused programme (Teaching Recovery Techniques), delivered by mental health practitioners both online and in-person, or (b) care-as-usual. Primarily, the trial aims to explore the key feasibility and protocol acceptability questions, including rates of recruitment and retention, as well as the acceptability of the intervention (particularly the online delivery format) to participants and services. In addition, outcomes including PTSS (primary clinical outcome), depression and functioning will be assessed at baseline (pre-randomisation), post-intervention and at a 3-month follow-up. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been received from the Health Research Authority (Wales REC1 Ref 20/WA/0100) and University, with further approval from the host trust and social care site. The results will inform the design of a definitive RCT. Dissemination will include peer-reviewed journal articles reporting the qualitative and quantitative results, as well as presentations at conferences and lay summaries. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04467320. Registered on 13 July 2020.

scholarly journals Peer-supported self-management for people discharged from a mental health crisis team: a randomised controlled trial

The Lancet ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 392 (10145) ◽  
pp. 409-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Johnson ◽  
Danielle Lamb ◽  
Louise Marston ◽  
David Osborn ◽  
Oliver Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Mental Health Crisis ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Randomised Controlled

scholarly journals Online single-session interventions for Kenyan adolescents: study protocol for a comparative effectiveness randomised controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. e100446
Author(s):  
Akash R Wasil ◽  
Tom Lee Osborn ◽  
John R Weisz ◽  
Robert J DeRubeis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Comparative Effectiveness ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Single Session ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Digital Interventions ◽  
Randomised Controlled

BackgroundMental health problems are the leading cause of disability among adolescents worldwide, yet access to treatment is limited. Brief digital interventions have been shown to improve youth mental health, but little is known about which digital interventions are most effective.AimsTo evaluate the effectiveness of two digital single-session interventions (Shamiri-Digital and Digital-CBT (cognitive-behavioural therapy)) among Kenyan adolescents.MethodsWe will perform a school-based comparative effectiveness randomised controlled trial. Approximately 926 Kenyan adolescents will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: Shamiri-Digital (focused on gratitude, growth mindsets and values), Digital-CBT (focused on behavioural activation, cognitive restructuring and problem solving) or a study-skills control condition (focused on note-taking and essay writing skills). The primary outcomes include depressive symptoms (measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-8), anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener-7) and subjective well-being (Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale). The secondary outcomes include acceptability, appropriateness, primary control and secondary control. Acceptability and appropriateness will be measured immediately post-intervention; other outcomes will be measured 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 12 weeks post-intervention.ResultsWe hypothesise that adolescents assigned to Shamiri-Digital and adolescents assigned to Digital-CBT will experience greater improvements (assessed via hierarchical linear models) than those assigned to the control group. We will also compare Shamiri-Digital with Digital-CBT, although we do not have a preplanned hypothesis.ConclusionsOur findings will help us evaluate two digital single-session interventions with different theoretical foundations. If effective, such interventions could be disseminated to reduce the public health burden of common mental health problems.Trial registration numberPACTR202011691886690.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of a Media-Based Intervention Promoting Help-Seeking for Mental Health Difficulties By Australian Men: Study Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANGELA NICHOLAS ◽  
Simone Scotti Requena ◽  
Maria Ftanou ◽  
Simon Rice ◽  
Justine Fletcher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Media Campaigns ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Approximately one fifth of Australian males aged 16 + experience mood, anxiety or substance use disorders in a given year, and suicide by males accounts for three quarters of all suicides annually. However, males with mental health problems are less likely to seek and receive help than their female counterparts. Media campaigns with videos at their core are gaining popularity as a means of promoting help-seeking for mental health difficulties, but few studies have rigorously tested the impact of such videos. This randomised controlled trial tests the effectiveness of a short video promoting help-seeking by Australian men. Methods This study is an online randomised controlled trial (RCT). Participants will attend an online group orientation session, where they will provide consent to participate and complete a baseline questionnaire (T1). After completion of the T1 questionnaire, participants will be randomised to watch either the intervention or control video on a 1:1 basis. After randomisation, participants will be able to access their allocated video for one week. Seven days after T1, participants will again be sent links to the video and to the post-exposure questionnaire (T2). One month after T2, participants will be emailed the follow-up questionnaire (T3). The primary outcome will be change in help-seeking intentions from T1 to T2. Secondary outcomes will be changes in help-seeking intentions from T1 to T3, changes in intentions to encourage other males to seek help, self-reliance, and male depression symptoms from T1 to T2 and from T1 to T3. The cost-effectiveness of the intervention will be evaluated. Participants will also complete questions about their opinions of the video and its effects at T2 and T3. Discussion Our video-based intervention is designed to promote help-seeking for mental health difficulties among Australian men. If a lack of net harm is shown to be associated with viewing the intervention video, the video will be publicly released and could have broad impacts on individual and community attitudes towards help-seeking for mental health difficulties, and ultimately enhance men’s mental health and wellbeing. An evaluation of the effectiveness of the intervention is essential to ensure the intervention is achieving its objectives. Trial registration: anzctr.org.au: 2621001008819

scholarly journals Interpersonal Counselling for Adolescent Depression delivered by Youth Mental Health Workers without Core Professional Training: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial study protocol

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Abotsie ◽  
Viktoria Cestaro ◽  
Brioney Gee ◽  
Jamie Murdoch ◽  
Thando Katangwe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Young People ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Adolescent Depression ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Specialist Services ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background: Depression is a common health problem during adolescence and is associated with adverse academic, social and health outcomes. To meet demand for treatment for adolescent depression, there is a need for evidence-based interventions suitable for delivery outside of specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Interpersonal Counselling for Adolescents (IPC-A), is a brief manualised intervention for adolescent depression suitable for delivery by staff who are not qualified health professionals following participation in a brief training course. While initial piloting within Local Authority services has generated promising results, the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of IPC-A has yet to be established. This study aims to assess the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT), evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of IPC-A delivered by staff without core professional training in comparison to current provision. Method: Feasibility RCT with process evaluation using ethnographic methodology. Eligible young people (n=60) will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either IPC-A or treatment as usual (TAU). Participants will be assessed pre-randomisation (baseline) and followed up at 5, 10 and 23 weeks post-randomisation. A parallel process evaluation will generate understanding of intervention implementation across services and explore the acceptability of the intervention from the perspective of young people and other key stakeholders.Participants: Young people aged 12-18 years presenting to non-specialist services with symptoms of depression. Youth workers, young people and stakeholders will participate in the process evaluation.Discussion: The need for effective and accessible interventions for young people with mild/sub-threshold depression who in most cases, do not meet the threshold for mainstream mental health services is long overdue. The primary output of this feasibility trial will be the design of the subsequent full-scale trial. If the results of the current study indicate that this would be feasible, we intend to progress to a multi-site, assessor-blind, superiority RCT of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of IPC-A in comparison to TAU for adolescents presenting to non-specialist services with depressive symptoms. If satisfactory solutions to any problems encountered cannot be identified, alternative research designs will be considered. If proven effective, an IPC-A training programme could be implemented.Trial registry: ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN82180413. Registered 31 December 2019, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN82180413

Self-help digital interventions targeted at improving psychological wellbeing in young people with common mental health conditions: A Systematic Review (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla M Babbage ◽  
Georgina M Jackson ◽  
E Bethan Davies ◽  
Elena Nixon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trials ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Digital Interventions ◽  
Mental Health Support ◽  
Health Support ◽  
Randomised Controlled

BACKGROUND Rates of suicide, self-harm and mental disorders remain high in young people, while those diagnosed with mental disorders experience poorer wellbeing than their counterparts. Barriers to accessing mental health support include reduced healthcare coverage, a lack of trained professionals, stigma and embarrassment in accessing support. Self-help digital interventions can be delivered on mass, at low cost and without need for trained input, hence facilitating access to mental health support Research has shown that self-help interventions are effective in young people with mental health conditions but systematic reviews of such studies have been limited to randomised controlled trials (RCTs). OBJECTIVE The objective was to systematically review all controlled studies of digitally delivered self-help interventions for young people, aged 9-25, with reduced wellbeing. Adherence to interventions was also explored. METHODS A systematic search of PsychInfo, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus and MEDLINE databases from inception to 2020, reference searches of relevant papers and a grey literature search was carried out to find any controlled study conducted with young people with diagnosed or self-diagnosed reduced wellbeing, exploring the effectiveness of a digital intervention aimed at improving their wellbeing. Data was extracted that identified the effectiveness and retention rates of the intervention, and the quality of the studies. RESULTS Of the 816 studies which were screened, 11 met the inclusion criteria; nine studies were randomised controlled trials and two were controlled before and after studies. The majority of studies aimed to improve symptoms of depression, two interventions were aimed at both anxiety and depressive symptoms and two studies at improving social functioning difficulties. Due to high risk of bias across interventions, a meta-analysis was not conducted. Retention rates across studies were assessed as moderate to high. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the findings indicated that unguided self-help interventions improved wellbeing in the areas intended by the intervention, and also found additional areas of wellbeing being positively affected by interventions. These findings, alongside the advantages of self-help interventions, highlight the need for the up-scaling of self-help interventions to better support vulnerable populations of young people.

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