Virtual Peer-to-Peer (VP2P) Support Mentoring for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA): A Pilot RCT

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
• Interventions: Behavioral: Virtual Peer-to-Peer Support Mentoring

• Registration Number: NCT01986400
• Lead Sponsor: The Hospital for Sick Children

Brief Summary

Study Hypothesis: A virtual peer-to-peer support intervention will improve health outcomes and quality of life in adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Detailed Description

The aim of this project is to develop and examine the impact of a virtual peer support program on health outcomes and quality of life of adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis using a waitlist randomized controlled trial. In addition to standard medical care, adolescents in the experimental group will receive a manualized peer mentorship program that will provide modeling and reinforcement by trained young adults aged 16-25 years who have learned to function successfully with their pain. Mentoring sessions consist of 10 sessions of 30-45 minute Skype calls over 8 weeks. Feasibility of the program will be measured in addition to quality of life, physical and emotional symptoms, pain coping, self-efficacy, social support, and self-management skills.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2013-07
• Study First Submitted: 2013-11-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-11-11
• Study First Posted: 2013-11-18
• Primary Completion: 2015-05
• Study Completion: 2016-12
• Status Verified: 2017-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-12-29
• Last Update Posted: 2018-01-03

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• males and females 12-18 years old
• diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) by a Rheumatologist (any sub-type)
• able to speak and read English
• access to Internet connection, computer capable of using free Skype software
• willing and able to complete online measures

Exclusion Criteria

• significant cognitive impairments
• major co-morbid illnesses (i.e., psychiatric conditions) likely to influence HRQL assessment
• participating in peer support or self-management interventions (e.g., Teens Taking Charge).

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Virtual Peer-to-Peer Support Mentoring	Virtual Peer-to-Peer Support Mentoring	In addition to standard medical care, adolescents in the experimental group will receive the VP2P support program, a manualized peer-mentorship program that will provide modeling and reinforcement by peers (young adults with JIA aged 16-25 years who have learned to function successfully with their JIA to the mentored participants).

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Feasibility	2 months	1. Accrual and Dropout Rates - recruitment and withdrawal rates will be calculated that the end of the study.; 2. Compliance (Level of Engagement) - rates of completion of weekly calls and online outcome measures will be calculated that the end of the study - defined as 100% when the participant completes 10 calls over 8 weeks with all online measures completed.; 3. Adolescents' Perception of JIA VP2P Program - the acceptability of and satisfaction with the JIA VP2P support program as measured through semi-structured phone interviews with mentees and focus groups with mentors; 4. Estimates of Intervention Effects (e.g., effect sizes, variance measures/standard deviation) on health outcomes to inform the calculation of an appropriate sample size for the future definitive multi-centred randomized controlled trial (RCT)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL)	Baseline, 2 months	HRQL will be measured by using the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) Arthritis Module, a 22-item self-report scale which assesses the impact of arthritis in adolescents in terms of physical, psychological and social functioning.
Self-Efficacy	Baseline, 2 Months	Self-efficacy is assessed using the Children's Arthritis Self-Efficacy (CASE) 11-item measure, measuring symptom management, emotional consequences and activities related to their arthritis.
Pain	Baseline, 2 months	The Recalled Pain Inventory (RPI) measures current as well as least, average and worst pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, and pain interference with 38-items rated on a 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS).
Adherence	Baseline, 2 Months	Adherence (or compliance) to prescribed medications, exercises and wearing of splints assessed using the Child Adherence Report Questionnaire (CARQ).
Knowledge and Social Support	Baseline, 2 Months	The Medical Issues, Exercise, Pain and Social Support Questionnaire (MEPS) is a 24-tem measure used to assess knowledge and social support.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hospital for Sick Children; 🇨🇦 Toronto, Ontario, Canada