Military FamilyBSCNCT03336190
Blue Star Cares: Innovative Approaches to Helping Military-Connected Caregivers
A study testing avatar-based training in people with Military Family and Mental Health Disorder, run by University of Southern California at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this project is to evaluate an interactive training program for military-connected caregivers (MCCs) of wounded warriors. The program leverages existing resources and incorporates evidence-based training and peer-based support networks to enhance continuity of care. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Military Family, Mental Health Disorder, Social Skills
- What is being tested?
- avatar-based training
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 124 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 24 Jun 2017to 31 Dec 2020
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Participants must be a military-connected caregiver over the age of 18.
Who cannot join
- Participants under the age of 18 or not a military-connected caregiver. Active duty military personnel are unable to participate in this project.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Bethesda, Maryland, 20814
About this study
The purpose of this project is to evaluate an interactive training program for military-connected caregivers (MCCs) of wounded warriors. The program leverages existing resources and incorporates evidence-based training and peer-based support networks to enhance continuity of care. The program consists of an educational Toolkit (workbook) and an avatar training interaction where an MCC can practice skills learned from the toolkit training with the avatar (how to navigate difficult conversations). This is an educational training evaluation to determine whether or not avatar interaction can effectively improve health outcomes in MCCs.
Read the detailed description
The purpose of this project is to evaluate an interactive training program for military-connected caregivers (MCCs) of wounded warriors. The program leverages existing resources and incorporates evidence-based training and peer-based support networks to enhance continuity of care. The program consists of an educational Toolkit (workbook) and an avatar training interaction where an MCC can practice skills learned from the toolkit training with the avatar (how to navigate difficult conversations). This is an educational training evaluation to determine whether or not avatar interaction can effectively improve health outcomes in MCCs.
The investigators will implement a pre-post design looking at a group of caregivers across multiple time points examining differences in outcomes from baseline (before engaging in the training/intervention) to after completing the training, including follow-ups at 3- and 6-months to evaluate longer-term outcomes.Those enrolled in the intervention will receive the complete training program (toolkit and avatar).
Project participants (i.e., MCCs who engage in the training and follow-up activities) will receive the (a) training toolkit workshop and will engage with the avatar to practice the knowledge and skills described in the workshop or will receive only the (b) training toolkit workshop (control).
Comparing the time differences will enable us to determine if the training program, specifically the avatar interaction, is associated with improved health and quality of life in caregivers of wounded warriors, enhanced caregiver social support and networks, improved patient (wounded warrior) experience of care, and reduced per capita costs of care for both the wounded warrior and caregiver.
Follow-up focus groups and interviews will be conducted to assess caregiver participant perspectives on what worked, what did not work, what they would like to see in the future, how the avatar interaction impacted them, and how the program could be improved in the future, as well as to clarify findings
- Conditions
- Military Family, Mental Health Disorder, Social Skills, Social Isolation, Communication, Quality of Life
- Being tested
- avatar-based training
- Keywords
- military, caregiver
- Medical subject headings
- Mental Disorders, Social Skills, Social Isolation, Communication
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
avatar-based trainingBehavioural
Interaction with an avatar-based module to practice skills learned during the toolkit training
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention | Experimental | Receives the full program, including the toolkit training and avatar interaction Receives: Behavioral: avatar-based training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
World Health Organization Quality of Life - Brief
World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief version (WHOQOL-BREF). The WHOQOL-BREF instrument comprises 26 items, which measure the following broad domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. The WHOQOL-BREF is a shorter version of the original instrument that may be more convenient for use in large research studies or clinical trials. The WHOQOL-BREF (Field Trial Version) produces a quality of life profile. It is possible to derive four domain scores. There are also two items that are examined separately: question 1 asks about an individual's overall perception of quality of life and question 2 asks about an individual's overall perception of their health. The four domain scores denote an individual's perception of quality of life in each particular domain. Domain scores are scaled in a positive direction (i.e. higher scores denote higher quality of life). The mean score of items within each domain is used to calculate the domain score -
Measured: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
Social support
Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, military version. Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The MSPSS (Zimet et al., 1988) is a 12-item self-report measure that inquires about three dimensions of social relationships (family, friends, and a significant other) on a 7-point Likert-type scale (1 = very strongly disagree to 7 = very strongly agree). Higher scores on each of the subscales indicate higher levels of perceived support. A Global satisfaction with perceived support score can be obtained by taking the sum of the three scales. The current study added a fourth dimension relevant to military personnel that assessed sources of social support from military peers.
Measured: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
Depression
Patient health questionnaire (PHQ)-2. Frequency of depressive symptoms were assessed with the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2). Items are rated on a 4-point scale from 0-3; higher scores indicate greater symptoms. Respondents then indicate the difficulty the symptoms have made their life on a 4 point scale, where high scores indicate greater difficulty.
Measured: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
Anxiety
Generalized anxiety disorder-7.Frequency of anxiety symptoms were assessed using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) (34). Items are rated on a 4-point scale, where 5, 10, and 15 are used as cutoffs for mild, moderate, and severe anxiety, respectively. Higher scores indicate greater symptoms
Measured: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
Caregiver somatic symptoms
PATIENT HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE (PHQ-15). For scoring, response options for these two symptoms are coded as 0 ("not at all"), 1 ("several days"), or 2 ("more than half the days" or "nearly every day"). Thus, the total PHQ-15 score ranges from 0 to 30 and scores of ≥5, ≥10, ≥15 represent mild, moderate and severe levels of somatization.
Measured: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
Secondary outcomes (5)
Wounded warrior quality of life and health status
World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief version (WHOQOL-BREF). The WHOQOL-BREF instrument comprises 26 items, which measure the following broad domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. The WHOQOL-BREF is a shorter version of the original instrument that may be more convenient for use in large research studies or clinical trials. The WHOQOL-BREF (Field Trial Version) produces a quality of life profile. It is possible to derive four domain scores. There are also two items that are examined separately: question 1 asks about an individual's overall perception of quality of life and question 2 asks about an individual's overall perception of their health. The four domain scores denote an individual's perception of quality of life in each particular domain. Domain scores are scaled in a positive direction (i.e. higher scores denote higher quality of life). The mean score of items within each domain is used to calculate the domain score -
Measured: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
Caregiver knowledge
12 items assessing participant knowledge of caregiving. Items are rated on a 5-point scale where higher scores indicate higher knowledge of caregiving skills and responsibilities.
Measured: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
wounded warrior depression
Patient health questionnaire (PHQ)-2. Frequency of depressive symptoms were assessed with the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2). Items are rated on a 4-point scale from 0-3; higher scores indicate greater symptoms. Respondents then indicate the difficulty the symptoms have made their life on a 4 point scale, where high scores indicate greater difficulty.
Measured: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
wounded warrior anxiety
Generalized anxiety disorder-7.Frequency of anxiety symptoms were assessed using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) (34). Items are rated on a 4-point scale, where 5, 10, and 15 are used as cutoffs for mild, moderate, and severe anxiety, respectively. Higher scores indicate greater symptoms
Measured: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
wounded warrior somatic symptoms
PATIENT HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE (PHQ-15). For scoring, response options for these two symptoms are coded as 0 ("not at all"), 1 ("several days"), or 2 ("more than half the days" or "nearly every day"). Thus, the total PHQ-15 score ranges from 0 to 30 and scores of ≥5, ≥10, ≥15 represent mild, moderate and severe levels of somatization.
Measured: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted8 Nov 2017
- Study start24 Jun 2017
- Primary completion31 Dec 2020
- Study completion31 Dec 2020
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Military FamilyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of Southern CaliforniaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 124 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Southern California
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Blue Star Families, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Wilcox Research
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Sherrie Wilcox, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03336190
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UP-17-00273
- Acronym
- BSC
- Status last verified
- Oct 2022
- First submitted
- 2 Nov 2017
- Last updated
- 21 Oct 2022
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: Unidentified data may be requested by emailing the Principal Investigator the specific research questions, variables of interest, analysis plan, and dissemination plan. Requests may be made at the completion of the study, once the main study questions have been evaluated and published.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 21 Oct 2022. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Blue Star Cares: Innovative Approaches to Helping Military-Connected Caregivers
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03336190
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BSC / UP-17-00273
- Conditions
- Military Family, Mental Health Disorder, Social Skills, Social Isolation, Communication, Quality of Life
- Keywords
- military, caregiver
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 124 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Blue Star Families, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Wilcox Research
- Study start
- 24 Jun 2017 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2020 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2020 (actual)
- First posted
- 8 Nov 2017 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this project is to evaluate an interactive training program for military-connected caregivers (MCCs) of wounded warriors. The program leverages existing resources and incorporates evidence-based training and peer-based support networks to enhance continuity of care. The program consists of an educational Toolkit (workbook) and an avatar training interaction where an MCC can practice skills learned from the toolkit training with the avatar (how to navigate difficult conversations). This is an educational training evaluation to determine whether or not avatar interaction can effectively improve health outcomes in MCCs.
Detailed description
The purpose of this project is to evaluate an interactive training program for military-connected caregivers (MCCs) of wounded warriors. The program leverages existing resources and incorporates evidence-based training and peer-based support networks to enhance continuity of care. The program consists of an educational Toolkit (workbook) and an avatar training interaction where an MCC can practice skills learned from the toolkit training with the avatar (how to navigate difficult conversations). This is an educational training evaluation to determine whether or not avatar interaction can effectively improve health outcomes in MCCs.
The investigators will implement a pre-post design looking at a group of caregivers across multiple time points examining differences in outcomes from baseline (before engaging in the training/intervention) to after completing the training, including follow-ups at 3- and 6-months to evaluate longer-term outcomes.Those enrolled in the intervention will receive the complete training program (toolkit and avatar).
Project participants (i.e., MCCs who engage in the training and follow-up activities) will receive the (a) training toolkit workshop and will engage with the avatar to practice the knowledge and skills described in the workshop or will receive only the (b) training toolkit workshop (control).
Comparing the time differences will enable us to determine if the training program, specifically the avatar interaction, is associated with improved health and quality of life in caregivers of wounded warriors, enhanced caregiver social support and networks, improved patient (wounded warrior) experience of care, and reduced per capita costs of care for both the wounded warrior and caregiver.
Follow-up focus groups and interviews will be conducted to assess caregiver participant perspectives on what worked, what did not work, what they would like to see in the future, how the avatar interaction impacted them, and how the program could be improved in the future, as well as to clarify findings
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Intervention | Experimental | Behavioral: avatar-based trainingReceives the full program, including the toolkit training and avatar interaction |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Participants must be a military-connected caregiver over the age of 18.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Participants under the age of 18 or not a military-connected caregiver. Active duty military personnel are unable to participate in this project.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| avatar-based trainingInteraction with an avatar-based module to practice skills learned during the toolkit training | Behavioural | Intervention |
Primary outcome
World Health Organization Quality of Life - Brief
Time frame: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief version (WHOQOL-BREF). The WHOQOL-BREF instrument comprises 26 items, which measure the following broad domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. The WHOQOL-BREF is a shorter version of the original instrument that may be more convenient for use in large research studies or clinical trials. The WHOQOL-BREF (Field Trial Version) produces a quality of life profile. It is possible to derive four domain scores. There are also two items that are examined separately: question 1 asks about an individual's overall perception of quality of life and question 2 asks about an individual's overall perception of their health. The four domain scores denote an individual's perception of quality of life in each particular domain. Domain scores are scaled in a positive direction (i.e. higher scores denote higher quality of life). The mean score of items within each domain is used to calculate the domain score -
Social support
Time frame: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, military version. Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The MSPSS (Zimet et al., 1988) is a 12-item self-report measure that inquires about three dimensions of social relationships (family, friends, and a significant other) on a 7-point Likert-type scale (1 = very strongly disagree to 7 = very strongly agree). Higher scores on each of the subscales indicate higher levels of perceived support. A Global satisfaction with perceived support score can be obtained by taking the sum of the three scales. The current study added a fourth dimension relevant to military personnel that assessed sources of social support from military peers.
Depression
Time frame: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
Patient health questionnaire (PHQ)-2. Frequency of depressive symptoms were assessed with the 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2). Items are rated on a 4-point scale from 0-3; higher scores indicate greater symptoms. Respondents then indicate the difficulty the symptoms have made their life on a 4 point scale, where high scores indicate greater difficulty.
Anxiety
Time frame: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
Generalized anxiety disorder-7.Frequency of anxiety symptoms were assessed using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) (34). Items are rated on a 4-point scale, where 5, 10, and 15 are used as cutoffs for mild, moderate, and severe anxiety, respectively. Higher scores indicate greater symptoms
Caregiver somatic symptoms
Time frame: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
PATIENT HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE (PHQ-15). For scoring, response options for these two symptoms are coded as 0 ("not at all"), 1 ("several days"), or 2 ("more than half the days" or "nearly every day"). Thus, the total PHQ-15 score ranges from 0 to 30 and scores of ≥5, ≥10, ≥15 represent mild, moderate and severe levels of somatization.
5 secondary outcomes
Wounded warrior quality of life and health status
Time frame: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
Caregiver knowledge
Time frame: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
wounded warrior depression
Time frame: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
wounded warrior anxiety
Time frame: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
wounded warrior somatic symptoms
Time frame: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 21 Oct 2022.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. Unidentified data may be requested by emailing the Principal Investigator the specific research questions, variables of interest, analysis plan, and dissemination plan. Requests may be made at the completion of the study, once the main study questions have been evaluated and published.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing avatar-based training in people with Military Family and Mental Health Disorder, run by University of Southern California at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Oct 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
World Health Organization Quality of Life - Brief (time frame: Assess changes between baseline and 3 & 6 month follow-ups). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 Oct 2022.