Evaluating an Internet-based Program for Anxious Adolescents

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Anxiety
• Interventions: Behavioral: Breathe; Behavioral: Resource Webpage

• Registration Number: NCT02970734
• Lead Sponsor: University of Alberta

Brief Summary

Anxiety is a common mental health problem for Canadian adolescents. Anxiety that is diagnosed as a disorder and serious enough to require treatment affects up to 10% of all adolescents by the age of 16. The median age of onset is 11 years, making these disorders some of the earliest to develop. Anxiety disorders can have serious negative effects on a young person's personal relationships, school performance, and family life. These disorders may not be discovered by adolescents, parents and health care providers. Even if anxiety disorders are discovered, adolescents may not get the right therapy. Anxious adolescents can become sick if their anxiety is not treated properly. The investigators will carry out research to test Breathe, an Internet-based treatment for adolescents with anxiety problems. Adolescents can use this treatment from home via the computer. Breathe will include information materials and personalized homework assignments to help anxious adolescents learn ways to manage anxiety. More information can be found and www.TheBreatheStudy.com

Detailed Description

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with two groups, an Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) experimental group (Breathe) and a resource webpage (control group; considered treatment as usual for youth waiting for services). The investigators will evaluate several methodological processes and outcomes through the following objectives:

1. To determine the effectiveness of a self-guided Internet-based CBT program with limited telephone and email support in reducing anxiety symptoms among adolescents with mild-to-moderate anxiety as compared to a usual self-help intervention, a resource-based webpage.

2. To explore mediators and moderators of the Internet-based CBT program.

3. To determine the effectiveness of a self-guided Internet-based CBT program in improving quality of life as compared to a usual self-help intervention.

4. To determine adherence to a self-guided Internet-based CBT program.

5. To determine the cost-effectiveness of the Internet-based CBT program.

Basic Information
|
Recruitment & Eligibility
|
Study & Design
|
Trial Locations

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2016-11-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2016-11-17
• Study First Posted: 2016-11-22
• Study Start: 2016-12-01
• Primary Completion: 2018-08-30
• Status Verified: 2018-09
• Study Completion: 2018-11-22
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-04-30
• Last Update Posted: 2019-05-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 563

Inclusion Criteria

• Score of ≥25 on the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED)
• Ability to read and write English
• Regular access to a telephone and a computer system with high speed Internet service
• Ability to use the computer to interact with web material

Read More

Exclusion Criteria

• Positive screen on the Ask Suicide-Screening Questionnaire (ASQ)
• Positive screen on the Schizophrenia Test and Early Psychosis Indicator (STEPI; modified version)
• Score of ≥3 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption subscale (AUDIT-C)
• Residence outside of Canada

Read More

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Breathe	Breathe	6 sessions of Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with limited telephone and e-mail support
Resource webpage	Resource Webpage	Webpage that provides general resources on anxiety

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in adolescent anxiety using the total Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC 2) score	baseline to 6 weeks post-baseline (post-intervention)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in adolescent anxiety using the total MASC 2 score	6 weeks post-baseline (post-intervention) to 18 weeks post-baseline (3-month follow-up)
Change in quality of life using the Youth Quality of Life Instrument - Short Form (YQOL-SF)	baseline to 6 weeks post-baseline (post-intervention), 6 weeks post-baseline (post-intervention) to 18 weeks post-baseline (3-month follow-up)
User experience	6 weeks post-baseline (post-intervention)	Developed by the investigators, this electronically administered, self-report instrument will assess participant satisfaction (e.g., ease of use, layout, convenience) perceived credibility and impact (e.g., helpfulness, knowledge gains, confidence in the program/website), and adherence and usage (e.g., barriers and facilitators to treatment) with an Internet-based program/webpage.
Intervention adherence	6 weeks post-baseline (post-intervention)	Intervention adherence will be measured by documenting the number of sessions and homework tasks completed. The investigators will also record the number of tailored sessions completed by each participant (intervention condition) and site visits (control condition). These data will be collected through the intervention's software system.
health care utilization	baseline, 18 weeks post-baseline	Developed by the investigators, this self-report instrument will assess whether participants have accessed health care resources (i.e., met with a psychologist/psychiatrist/family doctor/hospital etc.) and if so, how many times.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Breathe Team; 🇨🇦 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada