NCT02970734

Evaluating an Internet-based Program for Anxious Adolescents

Evaluating an Internet-based Program for Anxious Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 563 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Alberta · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 13 Years – 19 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Anxiety is a common mental health problem for Canadian adolescents. Anxiety that is diagnosed as a disorder and serious enough to require treatment affects up to 10% of all adolescents by the age of 16. The median age of onset is 11 years, making these disorders some of the earliest to develop. Anxiety disorders can have serious negative effects on a young person's personal relationships, school performance, and family life. These disorders may not be discovered by adolescents, parents and health care providers. Even if anxiety disorders are discovered, adolescents may not get the right therapy. Anxious adolescents can become sick if their anxiety is not treated properly. The investigators will carry out research to test Breathe, an Internet-based treatment for adolescents with anxiety problems. Adolescents can use this treatment from home via the computer. Breathe will include information materials and personalized homework assignments to help anxious adolescents learn ways to manage anxiety. More information can be found and www.TheBreatheStudy.com

Detailed description

This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with two groups, an Internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) experimental group (Breathe) and a resource webpage (control group; considered treatment as usual for youth waiting for services). The investigators will evaluate several methodological processes and outcomes through the following objectives: 1. To determine the effectiveness of a self-guided Internet-based CBT program with limited telephone and email support in reducing anxiety symptoms among adolescents with mild-to-moderate anxiety as compared to a usual self-help intervention, a resource-based webpage. 2. To explore mediators and moderators of the Internet-based CBT program. 3. To determine the effectiveness of a self-guided Internet-based CBT program in improving quality of life as compared to a usual self-help intervention. 4. To determine adherence to a self-guided Internet-based CBT program. 5. To determine the cost-effectiveness of the Internet-based CBT program.

Conditions

• Anxiety

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Breathe	Six web-based cognitive behavioural therapy sessions. Telephone and email support are also provided during the program.
BEHAVIORAL	Resource Webpage	Static webpage listing anxiety resources.

Timeline

• Start date: 2016-12-01
• Primary completion: 2018-08-30
• Completion: 2018-11-22
• First posted: 2016-11-22
• Last updated: 2019-05-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada