Online peer support training to promote adolescents’ emotional support skills, mental health and agency during COVID-19: A pilot randomised controlled trial

Background: Adolescents often look to their peers for emotional support, so it is critical that they are prepared to take on a supportive role, especially during a health crisis. Using a pilot randomised controlled trial (ISCRN registry, number ISRCTN99248812), we tested the efficacy of an online training programme designed to equip young people with skills to support to their peers’ mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We recruited one hundred young people (aged 16-18) living in the UK, through social media advertisements. In June 2020, participants were randomly allocated (1:1) to immediate 5-day peer support training (n=50) or a wait-list (n=50) via an independently generated allocation sequence. Primary outcomes were indicators of ability to help others (motivation, perceived skills, frequency of help provided, compassion to others and connectedness to peers). Secondary outcomes included emotional symptoms, mental wellbeing, and indicators of agency (civic engagement and self-efficacy). We also collected qualitative reports of participants’ experience. Assessments were completed at baseline and 1-week post randomisation (primary endpoint), and up to 4-weeks post-randomisation (training group only). Results: We found significant effects of online peer support training on all indicators of ability to help others, except for motivation to provide support. The training increased perceived support-giving skills, frequency of providing support, compassion and peer connectedness 1-week post-randomisation, compared to controls (medium-large effect sizes). Gains in the training group were maintained 4-week post-randomisation. Training also produced benefits in relation to emotional symptoms, wellbeing, and indicators of agency, and qualitative reports revealed further positive outcomes including increased personal self-care and feelings of empowerment. Conclusions: Online peer support training brought benefits across a range of outcomes. Leveraging digital platforms that are familiar to young people, peer support training has the potential to enable adolescents to support their own and their peers’ mental wellbeing during a health crisis.

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DECRYPT trial: study protocol for a phase II randomised controlled trial of cognitive therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in youth exposed to multiple traumatic stressors

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047600 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e047600

Author(s):

Leila Allen ◽

Polly-Anna Ashford ◽

Ella Beeson ◽

Sarah Byford ◽

Jessica Chow ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Cognitive Therapy ◽

Multiple Trauma ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Children And Young People ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Post Randomisation

BackgroundPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a distressing and disabling condition that affects significant numbers of children and adolescents. Youth exposed to multiple traumas (eg, abuse, domestic violence) are at particular risk of developing PTSD. Cognitive therapy for PTSD (CT-PTSD), derived from adult work, is a theoretically informed, disorder-specific form of trauma-focused cognitive–behavioural therapy. While efficacious for child and adolescent single-event trauma samples, its effectiveness in routine settings with more complex, multiple trauma-exposed youth has not been established. The Delivery of Cognitive Therapy for Young People after Trauma randomised controlled trial (RCT) examines the effectiveness of CT-PTSD for treating PTSD following multiple trauma exposure in children and young people in comparison with treatment as usual (TAU).Methods/designThis protocol describes a two-arm, patient-level, single blind, superiority RCT comparing CT-PTSD (n=60) with TAU (n=60) in children and young people aged 8–17 years with a diagnosis of PTSD following multiple trauma exposure. The primary outcome is PTSD severity assessed using the Children’s Revised Impact of Event Scale (8-item version) at post-treatment (ie, approximately 5 months post-randomisation). Secondary outcomes include structured interview assessment for PTSD, complex PTSD symptoms, depression and anxiety, overall functioning and parent-rated mental health. Mid-treatment and 11-month and 29-month post-randomisation assessments will also be completed. Process–outcome evaluation will consider which mechanisms underpin or moderate recovery. Qualitative interviews with the young people, their families and their therapists will be undertaken. Cost-effectiveness of CT-PTSD relative to TAU will be also be assessed.Ethics and disseminationThis trial protocol has been approved by a UK Health Research Authority Research Ethics Committee (East of England–Cambridge South, 16/EE/0233). Findings will be disseminated broadly via peer-reviewed empirical journal articles, conference presentations and clinical workshops.Trial registrationISRCTN12077707. Registered 24 October 2016 (http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12077707). Trial recruitment commenced on 1 February 2017. It is anticipated that recruitment will continue until June 2021, with 11-month assessments being concluded in May 2022.

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Using neuroimaging to investigate the impact of Mandolean® training in young people with obesity: a pilot randomised controlled trial

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-018-1342-1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Elanor C. Hinton ◽

Laura A. Birch ◽

John Barton ◽

Jeffrey M. P. Holly ◽

Kalina M. Biernacka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Young People ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

The Impact

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Lending an Ear: iPeer2Peer plus Teens Taking Charge online self-management to empower adolescents with arthritis in Ireland: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027952 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. e027952 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Siobhan O'Higgins ◽

Jennifer Stinson ◽

Sara Ahola Kohut ◽

Line Caes ◽

Caroline Heary ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Peer Support ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Self Management ◽

Advisory Panel ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Taking Charge ◽

Randomised Controlled

IntroductionJuvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) negatively affects adolescents’ everyday activities. To address the need for innovative, effective, convenient, low-cost psychosocial self-management programmes, we developed an Irish version of Canadian Teens Taking Charge (TTC) and integrated it with Skype-based peer support iPeer2Peer (iP2P).ObjectivesTo explore the feasibility and preliminary outcome impact (effectiveness) of an integrated iP2P and Irish TTC, via three-arm (treatment as usual, TTC and iP2P–TTC) pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT); and determine feasibility and sample size for a full RCT. To ensure active involvement of adolescents with JIA via a Young Person Advisory Panel and examine how participants experienced the study. Finally, to see if TTC and iP2P with TTC reduce costs for families.Methods and analysisRecruitment of 60 families will be ongoing until July 2019, via healthcare professionals and support groups. Analysis will consist of single-blinded (outcome assessment), three-arm pilot RCT, using online questionnaires, with assessments at baseline (T1), after intervention (T2) and 3 months post-intervention (T3). The primary outcomes on feasibility with comparisons of TTC and iP2P–TTC on fidelity, acceptability and satisfaction, engagement and degrees of tailoring. The secondary outcomes will be self-management and self-efficacy and a range of health-related quality-of-life factors, pain indicators and costs.Participants from the intervention groups will be invited to share their perspectives on the process in semistructured interviews. Quantitative data will be analysed using SPSS V.21 and the audio-taped and transcribed qualitative data will be analysed using qualitative content analysis.DisseminationVia journal articles, conference presentations, co-delivered by key stakeholders when possible, launch of accessible, effective and sustainable Internet self-management and peer support for Irish adolescents with JIA.Trial registration numberISRCTN13535901; Pre-results.

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

10.21203/rs.3.rs-659120/v1 ◽

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

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Tablet computers versus optical aids to support education and learning in children and young people with low vision: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial, CREATE (Children Reading with Electronic Assistance To Educate)

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-015939 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (6) ◽

pp. e015939 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Michael D Crossland ◽

Rachel Thomas ◽

Hilary Unwin ◽

Seelam Bharani ◽

Vijaya K Gothwal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Young People ◽

Low Vision ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Tablet Computers ◽

Children And Young People ◽

Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial ◽

Randomised Controlled

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The DECRYPT trial: Study protocol for a phase II randomised controlled trial of cognitive therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in youth exposed to multiple traumatic stressors.

10.31234/osf.io/wntj5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Leila Allen ◽

Polly-Anna Ashford ◽

Ella Beeson ◽

Sarah Byford ◽

Jessica Chow ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Cognitive Therapy ◽

Multiple Trauma ◽

Traumatic Stress ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Children And Young People ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Randomised Controlled ◽

Post Randomisation

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a distressing and disabling condition that affects significant numbers of children and adolescents. Youth exposed to multiple traumas (e.g. abuse, domestic violence) are at particular risk of developing PTSD. Cognitive-Therapy for PTSD (CT-PTSD), derived from adult work, is a theoretically-informed, disorder-specific form of trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (TF-CBT). While efficacious for child and adolescent single-event trauma samples, its effectiveness in routine settings with more complex, multiple-trauma exposed youth has not been established. The Delivery of Cognitive Therapy for Young People after Trauma (DECRYPT) randomised controlled trial (RCT) examines the effectiveness of CT-PTSD for treating PTSD following multiple trauma exposure in children and young people in comparison to treatment as usual (TAU). Methods/Design: This protocol describes a two-arm, patient-level, single blind, superiority RCT comparing CT-PTSD (n=60) to TAU (n=60) in children and young people aged 8-17 years with a diagnosis of PTSD following multiple trauma exposure. The primary outcome is PTSD severity assessed using the Children’s Revised Impact of Event Scale (8-item version) at post-treatment (i.e. approximately five months post-randomisation). Secondary outcomes include structured interview assessment for PTSD, complex PTSD symptoms, depression and anxiety, overall functioning and parent-rated mental health. Mid-treatment and 11- and 29-month post-randomisation assessments will also be completed. Process-outcome evaluation will consider which mechanisms underpin or moderate recovery. Qualitative interviews with the young people, their families and their therapists will be undertaken. Cost-effectiveness of CT-PTSD relative to TAU will be also be assessed.Ethics and dissemination: This trial protocol has been approved by a UK Health Research Authority (HRA) Research Ethics Committee (East of England – Cambridge South, 16/EE/0233). Findings will be disseminated broadly via peer-reviewed empirical journal articles, conference presentations, and clinical workshops.Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN12077707. Registered 24th October 2016, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12077707

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