Evaluation of PTSD Family Coach, a Mobile Phone App for Family Members of Individuals With PTSD
- Conditions
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
- Interventions
- Behavioral: PTSD Family Coach BasicBehavioral: PTSD Family Coach Full
- Registration Number
- NCT02486705
- Lead Sponsor
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System
- Brief Summary
The proposed pilot study is designed to test the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of a mobile phone application (app) developed by the VA National Center for PTSD (VA NCPTSD) for use by family members of those with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The primary objective of the proposed study is to assess whether family members of veterans with PTSD find the PTSD Family Coach app to be satisfactory and feasible to use. Secondary objectives are to determine if use of the app increases family members' self-efficacy and their ability to manage their own life stress, which may in part be the result of living with someone who has PTSD.
- Detailed Description
PTSD Family Coach is a mobile phone app for family members of individuals with PTSD. This application provides:
* education about PTSD
* a self-assessment tool measuring life stress
* self-management skills to address acute distress and stress
* direct connection to support and
* information about VA and community resources for family members of individuals with PTSD
From this research, the investigators wish to learn whether family members of someone with PTSD find the PTSD Family Coach to be satisfactory and feasible to use. The investigators would also like to know if use of the app increases family members' knowledge of PTSD, and its treatment, and their ability to manage their own life stress, which may in part be the result of living with a Veteran with PTSD.
Currently, there are very few resources for family members of Veterans with PTSD. If this research demonstrates that PTSD Family Coach is a promising tool for family members, it has the potential to address a tremendous unmet need using a very cost-effective, scalable solution.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 242
- currently living with a Veteran with significant PTSD symptoms
- age 18 or older
- own an iPhone, iPad or other iOS compatible device
- currently experiencing at least moderate symptoms of stress
- currently enrolled in another study related to PTSD
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description PTSD Family Coach Basic PTSD Family Coach Basic PTSD Coach basic provides an iOS mobile app with extensive information about caregiving for family members of those with PTSD and additional support resources. PTSD Family Coach Full PTSD Family Coach Full PTSD Family Coach full provides an iOS mobile app with extensive information about caregiving for family members of those with PTSD, additional support resources, tools for coping with caregiving-related stress, and tools for self-monitoring stress symptoms.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Stress (Perceived Stress Scale) 1 month Use of PTSD Family Coach Mobile App (Study-Specific Survey) 1 month Satisfaction with PTSD Family Coach Mobile App (Study-Specific Survey) 1 month Caregiver Burden (Montgomery Burden Interview) 1 month Anxiety (GAD) 1 month Depression (PHQ-8) 1 month
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Stigma Associated with Seeking Mental Health Care (Study-Specific Measure) 1 month Partner Self-Efficacy (Study-Specific Measure) 1 month Veteran Interest in Treatment for PTSD (Study-Specific Measure) 1 month Perceived Benefits of Mental Health Treatment for PTSD (Study-Specific Measure) 1 month Social Constraints (Social Constraints Scale) 1 month
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
VA Palo Alto Health Care System
🇺🇸Menlo Park, California, United States