IMPACT OF DEVICE FREE SUMMER CAMP ON ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 333
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change from Baseline in Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) at End of Camp
Study Overview
Brief Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to understand if attendance of a device-free summer camp, representing a shift from a digital environment to one that is device free and involves in person social interaction, can change mental health status and brain physiology in teens age 12-17. The main question it aims to answer is:
- How much is aggregate mental health and its various dimensions and components changed at the end of the camp attendance relative to the start of camp.
- How much is brain physiology, as measured by EEG change, changed at the end of camp relative to the start of camp.
Participants are recruited from among teens signed up to attend 2 or 3.5 week sessions a summer camp in Maine.
Detailed Description
The goal of this clinical trial is to understand if attendance of a device-free summer camp, representing a shift from a digital environment to one that is device free and involves in person social interaction, can change mental health status and brain physiology in teens age 12-17. The main question it aims to answer is:
- How much is aggregate mental health and its various dimensions and components changed at the end of the camp attendance relative to the start of camp.
- How much is brain physiology, as measured by EEG change, changed at the end of camp relative to the start of camp.
Participants are recruited from among teens signed up to attend 2 or 3.5 week sessions a summer camp in Maine. Participants were asked to complete the MHQ, a comprehensive mental health assessment spanning 47 emotional, social and cognitive aspects and on the first day of camp and then again on the day before departure. In addition participants were asked questions on their school and camp experiences at the start and end of camp respectively.
Participants were also invited to participate in a socio-emotional task and/or have EEG measurements read on the first day of camp and the day before departure form camp. The socio-emotional task involved speaking or performing in front of a group of 4 or 5 people and rating one's own feelings performing this task as well as rating the perceived feelings of other group members when they were performing the task.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Na
- Intervention Model
- Single Group
- Primary Purpose
- Prevention
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 12 Years to 17 Years (Child)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Attendance of Maine Teen Camp sessions during summer months of 2024 and 2025.
Exclusion Criteria
- Not provided
Arms & Interventions
Maine Teen Camp attendees
Attendance of a residential device-free summer camp for teens for 2 to 3.5 weeks characterized by in-person interaction and nature rich outdoor activities.
Intervention: Attendance of device-free summer camp (Other)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change from Baseline in Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) at End of Camp
Time Frame: Baseline (Day 1) to end of camp attendance (up to 3.5 weeks).
The Mental Health Quotient or MHQ is an aggregate score of mental health computed from the 47 items of the MHQ assessment. The score ranges from -100 to +200, where higher scores indicate better mental health outcomes. Negative scores indicate significant symptoms that impact function (Distressed/Struggling range), while positive scores reflect the wide range of normal function (Enduring to Thriving). Change is calculated by subtracting the baseline score from the end of camp score.
Secondary Outcomes
- Change from Baseline in Ratings of 47 MHQ Items After Camp Attendance(Baseline (Day 1) to end of camp attendance (up to 3.5 weeks).)
- Change from Baseline in Resting-State Electroencephalography (EEG) measures(Baseline (Day 1 of camp) and Post-Intervention (Final day of camp - 2.5-3 weeks later))