Reducing self-injurious thoughts and behaviors in adolescents during and after hospitalization
Therapeutic Evaluative Conditioning to Reduce Adolescents' Self-injurious Thoughts and Behaviors During and After Psychiatric Inpatient Hospitalization
This study is testing a new way to help teenagers aged 12-19 who have self-harm thoughts and behaviors feel better during and after their hospital stay using an app on iPads and smartphones.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 155 (estimated) |
| Ages | 12 Years to 19 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Franciscan Hospital For Children, INC. Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Brighton, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT05796531 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate a brief intervention using therapeutic evaluative conditioning to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents aged 12-19 during and after their inpatient hospitalization. The intervention will be administered via iPads during the inpatient period and continued through smartphone apps for one month post-discharge. The study consists of a pilot phase and a randomized controlled trial phase, assessing treatment targets and outcomes at multiple time points. The goal is to determine the effectiveness and sustainability of the intervention in decreasing suicide risk during a critical period.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adolescents aged 12-19 who are admitted to the McLean-Franciscan Child and Adolescent Inpatient Program with self-injurious behavior, suicidal ideation, or a history of suicide attempts.
Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit from this study include those with severe cognitive impairments, acute intoxication, or those unable to participate effectively due to language barriers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce the risk of suicide and self-injury among adolescents during a high-risk period following hospitalization.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of evaluative conditioning is innovative, similar interventions targeting suicide prevention in adolescents have shown promise, suggesting potential for success.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Be a patient on McLean-Franciscan Child and Adolescent Inpatient Program (MF-CAIP) of Franciscan Children's (FC) * Be 12-19 years-old * Own a smartphone * Have a parent/guardian that can provide permission * Child can assent * Presentation to the hospital with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt. Exclusion Criteria: * Any factor that impairs an individual's ability to comprehend and effectively participate in the study, including * an inability to speak or write English fluently * the presence of gross cognitive impairment due to florid psychosis, intellectual disability, dementia, acute intoxication, etc., or the presence of extremely agitated or violent behavior * a potential discharge location anticipated to be a residential program in which the average length of stay is more than 14 days
Where this trial is running
Brighton, Massachusetts
- Franciscan Hospital For Children, Inc. — Brighton, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Kelly Zuromski, PhD
- Email: kzuromski@franciscanchildrens.org
- Phone: 617-475-0595
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.