Effectiveness of multisystemic therapy for adolescents from families with intellectual disabilities

The Effectiveness of Multisystemic Therapy for Adolescents With Severe Behavioural Problems From Families With Intellectual Disabilities: A Mixed-Method Study

This study is testing a special therapy for teenagers with serious behavior issues from families with intellectual disabilities to see if it helps them behave better compared to regular therapy.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 470 (estimated)
• Ages: 10 Years to 19 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: De Viersprong (Academic / other)
• Locations: 4 sites (Halsteren and 3 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06032455 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a specialized form of multisystemic therapy (MST-ID) for adolescents aged 10 to 19 who exhibit severe behavioral problems and come from families with intellectual disabilities. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative assessments of behavioral changes with qualitative feedback from participants and their families. Participants will complete questionnaires at multiple time points to track progress and experiences throughout the treatment process. The goal is to determine if MST-ID is more effective than standard MST in reducing rule-breaking behaviors and to gather insights on the treatment experience.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adolescents aged 10 to 19 with severe behavioral problems and known or suspected intellectual disabilities, living with parents who have custody.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have an intellectual disability or do not meet the age and behavioral criteria may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could significantly improve behavioral outcomes for adolescents with intellectual disabilities and their families.

How similar studies have performed: Pilot studies have shown that MST-ID may provide similar or better outcomes compared to standard MST, indicating potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Referral Criteria:

* Known or suspected ID of the referred adolescent and/or their parent(s);
* Educational level of the referred adolescent and/or highest attained diploma of their parent(s) is indicative of potential ID.

Inclusion Criteria Study Sample:

* Adolescent must be 10 to 19 years old at the start of treatment;
* Adolescent presents with severe behavioural problems in at least two life areas;
* Adolescent lives with a family or there is a family the adolescent can live with, in which parent(s) have parental custody for a longer period of time;
* Parent(s) consent(s) and is/are willing to engage in treatment to prevent an out-of-home placement of the adolescent;
* Adolescent and/or parent(s) have a known or suspected intellectual disability (operationalised as an intelligence quotient \[IQ\] score of between 50-85 and additional deficits in adaptive functioning)
* Adolescent and/or parent(s) have sufficient knowledge of the Dutch language (as assessed by a clinician and/or researcher) in order to understand and answer the various (self-report) questionnaires.

Exclusion Criteria Study Participation:

* Adolescent lives independently;
* Adolescent presents with severe problematic sexual behaviours, without presenting with other severe behavioural problems;
* Adolescent presents suicidal, psychotic, or homicidal requiring specialised treatment (such as a crisis placement in a residential facility);
* Adolescent has a severe Autism Spectrum Disorder (level 2-3 according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders \[DSM-V\] criteria) or a severe ID (IQ score \<50);
* Adolescent has internalising psychiatric problems which are the primary reason for referral, or has serious psychiatric problems (similar to #3 as well as for example eating disorder.

Where this trial is running

Halsteren and 3 other locations

• De Viersprong — Halsteren, Netherlands (Recruiting)
• Koraal — Sittard, Netherlands (Recruiting)
• Stichting Prisma — Waalwijk, Netherlands (Recruiting)
• Pactum — Zetten, Netherlands (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Dineke Feenstra, PhD — De Viersprong
• Study coordinator: Annemarieke Blankestein, PhD

Conditions Behavioural Problems; multisystemic therapy; intellectual disability; adolescent behavioural problems; family functioning