Mobile app to help caregivers of young adults with early psychosis
Development and Testing of a Caregiver-facing Mobile Health Intervention to Reduce Duration of Untreated Psychosis
This study is testing a new mobile app designed to help caregivers of young adults with early psychosis by providing them with tools and support to feel less stressed and communicate better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Washington Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Seattle, Washington) |
| Trial ID | NCT04949542 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This project aims to develop and test a mobile health intervention called Bolster, designed to enhance caregivers' knowledge and skills through interactive cognitive-behavioral modules. The intervention will be compared to existing online caregiving support resources in a remote pilot randomized controlled trial. The goal is to reduce caregiver distress, improve coping strategies, enhance family communication, and ultimately decrease the duration of untreated psychosis in young adults. The study will assess the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of this new approach.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are caregivers of young adults aged 18 to 30 who have experienced early psychosis within the last five years.
Not a fit: Patients who are currently enrolled in specialty mental health services may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the well-being of caregivers and reduce the duration of untreated psychosis in young adults.
How similar studies have performed: While similar interventions have been explored, this specific approach using a mobile app for caregiver support is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
* 18 years old or older
* Live in the United States
* Caregiver to a young adult with early psychosis, wherein early psychosis is defined as: (1) Being between the ages of 18 and 30, and (2) Within the past five years, the young adult first experienced: (2A) Presence of psychotic symptoms represented by one or more of hallucinations, delusions, marked thought disorder, psychomotor disorder or bizarre behavior, as well as (2B) Definite change of personality or behavior manifesting as two or more of the following: serious deterioration of function, marked social withdrawal, persistent self-neglect, episodic marked anxiety.
* A positive screen according to the Caregiver Prime Screen - Revised (endorsed two or more responses of five or six ("somewhat"/"definitely" agree))
* Own an Apple iPhone
* Self-identify as a caregiver of the affected person
* The affected person is not enrolled in specialty mental health services (i.e. a program wherein the affected person can access psychiatry and counseling/therapy services), and has not been enrolled in such services for at least three months prior to screening. If an affected person is receiving one of these services, the caregiver reports that this is an inadequate level of care.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Incarceration or long-term care setting for either the caregiver or identified affected young adult.
* Participant failed to demonstrate understanding of study details in comprehension screening process.
* The affected person is unengaged in services, but only as a result of having completed or "graduated" from a specialty treatment program for psychosis.
Where this trial is running
Seattle, Washington
- Behavioral Research in Technology and Engineering Center, Health Sciences, UW Medical Center — Seattle, Washington, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Benjamin Buck, PhD — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Erica Whiting, BS
- Email: whitinge@uw.edu
- Phone: 206-474-7794
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.