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A Pilot Stress Management Intervention Study for High Risk Children With Asthma

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Asthma
Registration Number
NCT02091648
Lead Sponsor
University of Pittsburgh
Brief Summary

The purpose of the proposed study is to conduct a randomized controlled pilot trial of a school-based stress management and coping skills training program among a sample of economically disadvantaged urban 8- to 12-year-old school children with physician-confirmed asthma. The investigators aim (1) to establish feasibility of this approach by recruiting from different schools and (2) to learn whether individuals assigned to receive the intervention show improvements in psychological function, decreases in lung inflammation, and related improvements in asthma health when compared with disease severity-matched peers who receive education-only or standard care.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
111
Inclusion Criteria
  • In grades 3 through 8 and attending one of the 11 participating public schools
  • Age 8 through 14 years
  • Qualify for the free or reduced cost school lunch program in Pennsylvania (families that receive food stamps or have an annual income of < $40,900).
  • Meets National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI, 2007) criteria for any asthma diagnosis EXCEPT mild, intermittent asthma, as confirmed by the study physician using NHLBI Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthsumm.pdf, page 40).
  • Has a parent or legal guardian who is willing to participate in the study
  • Fluent in English (i.e., have commonly used English in everyday speaking and reading for at least 10 years)
Exclusion Criteria
  • History of a chronic illness in addition to asthma (determined by parent or guardian report)
  • Prescribed medications other than for asthma
  • Mental retardation or significant developmental delay
  • Inability to speak or understand English
  • A diagnosis of mild, intermittent asthma as determined using NHLBI (2007) criteria (see above)
  • Age less then 8 years or greater than 14 years
  • Not in grades 3 through 8
  • Not qualifying for free or reduced cost school lunches in Pennsylvania
  • No parent or legal guardian who is willing to participate

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Proportion of Eligible Children who Participate in StudyEnd of enrollment: estimated 2 years after beginning active enrollment.

A measure of the feasibility of offering the "I Can Cope" intervention trial to socioeconomically disadvantaged 8-14 year-old children with physician-confirmed asthma in urban schools.

Participant Drop-out RatesAfter final outcome measures are collected: up to 2 1/2 years from beginning of active enrollment.

A measure of the feasibility of offering the "I Can Cope" intervention trial to socioeconomically disadvantaged 8-14 year-old children with physician-confirmed asthma in urban schools.

Session Completion RatesAfter final participant has completed study: estimated 2 1/2 years after beginning active enrollement.

A measure of the feasibility of offering the "I Can Cope" intervention trial to socioeconomically disadvantaged 8-14 year-old children with physician-confirmed asthma in urban schools.

Program Satisfaction SurveyEnd of Study Participation: up to 5 months from initial enrollment.
Barriers to offering the Intervention in Selected SchoolsEnd of enrollment: estimated 2 years after beginning active enrollment.
Child Depression InventoryPre and Post Intervention: baseline, up to 4 months later.

Assess change in symptoms of depression.

State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for ChildrenPre and Post Intervention: baseline, up to 4 months later.

Assess change in symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Perceived Stress ScalePre and post intervention: baseline, up to 4 months later.

Assess change in the degree to which the child perceives current demands as stressful and exceeding his or her ability to cope.

Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life QuestionnairePre and Post Intervention: baseline, up to 4 months later.

Assesses asthma-related quality of life.

Asthma Self-Management ScalePre and Post Intervention: baseline, up to 4 months later.

Parent and child participants will complete the which assesses beliefs that they can perform behaviors to alleviate the child's asthma, including behaviors associated with symptom prevention (e.g., getting to doctor, using medication, and avoiding allergens) as well as symptom management (e.g., staying calm, controlling symptoms, deciding how to manage symptoms).

KIDCOPEPre and Post Intervention: baseline, up to 4 months later.

Child participants will complete the Kidcope a 10-item measure of different coping strategies.

Measure of Current Status (MOCS - Adapted)Pre and Post Intervention: baseline, up to 4 months later.

In order to measure the effectiveness of stress management training, child participants will complete an adapted version of the 10-item Measure of Current Status assessing perceived self-efficacy for skills targeted by the intervention: the ability to relax, to recognize stress-inducing situations, to be assertive about needs, and to choose appropriate coping responses.

Change in Asthma Health from BaselinePre to post-intervention: baseline, up to 4 months later.

The magnitude of intervention-related improvements in the child's asthma health will be measured by change in pulmonary function, exhaled levels of nitric oxide, and symptoms of asthma, as well as number of medical visits, and school absenteeism.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Life Events QuestionnaireBaseline

Assesses life events that have had a negative impact on the child's psychological state.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Pittsburgh

🇺🇸

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

University of Pittsburgh
🇺🇸Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

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