Gamified mental health app to boost self-compassion in injured adolescent dancers
Official title: Use of a Mental Health App in the Recovery of Adolescent Dancers From a Lower Extremity Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Run by University of California, San Diego · NCT07219095 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try a gamified mental health app to increase self-compassion in adolescent dancers recovering from foot or ankle injuries.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 13 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Diego Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (San Diego, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 15, 2025 |
| Main results expected | November 15, 2029 |
| Study ends | November 15, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | October 21, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07219095 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adolescents 13–18 who identify dance as their primary sport or danced at least 3 days per week before a foot or ankle injury, who are not facing surgical treatment and who can download the SuperBetter app on a personal device are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who require or have had surgery for the injury, have injuries above the knee, have a documented eating disorder or low bone density, or who do not plan to return to dance are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Adolescent dancers aged 13–18 who injured their foot or ankle and do not require surgery will use a gamified mental health app (SuperBetter) during their recovery. Participants must have danced regularly before injury and have a device to download the app. The intervention uses game-like tasks and exercises aimed at building self-compassion while participants complete their usual physical rehabilitation. Study staff will enroll eligible patients at Rady Children's Hospital and monitor adherence and responses over the recovery period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help injured adolescent dancers recover emotionally by increasing self-compassion and supporting better engagement with rehabilitation.
How similar studies have gone: Digital and gamified mental health interventions have shown promising results for improving resilience and self-compassion in adolescents, but applying this approach specifically to injured dancers is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Provision of informed consent (adult participant), or consent of parent/legal guardian in conjunction with adolescent assent (minor participant) 2. 13 to 18 years of age 3. Endorses dance as their primary sport, or participates 3 days per week or greater in dance prior to injury 4. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures including the intervention regimen and availability for the duration of the study 5. Access to a device with which the SuperBetter app can be downloaded and used Exclusion Criteria: 1. Dance is not a primary sport or less than 3 days per week spent dancing prior to injury (skater, gymnast, other sport) 2. Requiring surgery or prior surgery for the injury being treated 3. Injury outside of the leg below the knee 4. Known eating disorder or bone density issue (documented abnormal Z score and/or eating disorder diagnosis upon review of the medical chart) 5. Verbalized plans to not return to dance after recovery from the injury
Where it's running
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Rady Children's Hospital
San Diego, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Emily O Cidambi, MD
- Email: ecidambi@rchsd.org
- Phone: 858-576-1700
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.