NCT05779761

Brief Interventions for Coping with Distress

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Brief Interventions for Coping with Distress

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 180 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Teachers College, Columbia University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study is being done to compare the effectiveness of three different skills trainings to cope with distress. These three trainings are: 1) an attention skills training, 2) an attention and reflective thought skills training, and 3) a health and wellness education training.

Detailed description

Adults living in New York City between the ages of 18-65 and experiencing elevated levels of worry, rumination, and/or self-criticism may be eligible to participate. After being informed about the study and potential risks, participants giving written informed consent will complete an online screening visit to determine full study eligibility. Eligible participant will then be randomized to complete 6-weeks of one of three self-directed, online skills training about coping with distress. The present study is evaluating whether these skills trainings demonstrate efficacy in: 1) improving outcomes specific to an emotion regulation model of emotional distress (e.g., attentional control, decentering, reappraisal); 2) reducing symptoms of psychological distress (e.g., anxiety, depression, worry, rumination). Primary assessment points will take place before and after the skills training, and will include self-report measures, brief surveys during daily life, as well as computer tasks and measures of brain and body activity (e.g., EEG).

Conditions

• Distress, Emotional
• Emotional Dysfunction
• Anxiety
• Depression

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Online, Self-Directed Attention Skills Training with Coaching Support	The initial set of modules focus on psychoeducation about distress, the impact that cognitions/behaviors/emotions have on recent situations, and self-monitoring of worry/rumination/self-criticism. The next set of modules focus on the development of attention skills that help regulate one's emotional experience (i.e., recognizing emotions when they are happening, identifying the meaning of a given emotion experience, soothing oneself in the context of negative emotional experiences). All modules will be online and self-directed. An internet-based online platform will be used to promote engagement with and increase accessibility to between-session skills practice and treatment-related activities (e.g., self-monitoring, worksheets). Brief, weekly coaching support (from a trained, masters-level student) will be provided to promote engagement and to help clarify concepts.
BEHAVIORAL	Online, Self-Directed Attention & Reflective Thought Skills Training with Coaching Support	The initial set of modules focus on psychoeducation about distress, the impact that cognitions/behaviors/emotions have on recent situations, and self-monitoring of worry/rumination/self-criticism. The next set of modules focus on the development of attention and reflective thinking skills that help regulate one's emotional experience (i.e., recognizing emotions when they are happening, identifying the meaning of a given emotion experience, soothing oneself in the context of negative emotional experiences). All modules will be online and self-directed. An internet-based online platform will be used to promote engagement with and increase accessibility to between-session skills practice and treatment-related activities (e.g., self-monitoring, worksheets). Brief, weekly coaching support (from a trained, masters-level student) will be provided to promote engagement and to help clarify concepts.
BEHAVIORAL	Online, Self-Directed Health & Wellness Education Training with Coaching Support	The initial set of modules focus on psychoeducation about stress, the impact that stress has on one's life, and self-monitoring of stress. The next set of modules focus on sleep, time management, nutrition, and exercise. All modules will be online and self-directed. An internet-based online platform will be used to promote engagement with and increase accessibility to between-session skills practice and treatment-related activities (e.g., self-monitoring, worksheets). Brief, weekly coaching support (from a trained, masters-level student) will be provided to promote engagement and to help clarify concepts.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-05-12
• Primary completion: 2025-12-01
• Completion: 2025-12-01
• First posted: 2023-03-22
• Last updated: 2024-11-21

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States