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Substance MisuseNCT05517382

A Digital Game Targeting Suicide Prevention in Adolescents Who Report Substance Misuse

A study testing supportED in people with Substance Misuse and Suicide, run by Yale University at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The primary aim of this study is to design and develop a digital game that models the process of a safety planning intervention. To do so, the investigators will explore and better understand peer or student perceptions around potential warning signs, coping strategies, and seeking help among youth who may be at… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 13 to 19 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Substance Misuse, Suicide
What is being tested?
supportED
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
61 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
21 Dec 2022to 11 May 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

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 13 to 19 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • attend a high school that has a school-based behavioral health provider
  • be fluent in reading English during the consent/assent process
  • be willing to sit for a single session to complete pre-/post-assessments, engage with the game (~45min), and participate in a post-gameplay focus group (if in the experimental group) for 60min
  • provide assent and parental/guardian consent (if<age 18).

Who cannot join

  • Any student who is actively suicidal and/or moderately severe to severely depressed will be flagged and immediately connected to the school-based provider on site.
  • If a student indicates moderately severe to severe symptoms of depression, student will be flagged and immediately connected to the school-based provider for a risk assessment and will follow appropriate school protocols. If student is cleared by the school-based provider, student may continue in the study and the school -based provider will follow up with student in two weeks.
  • If a student screens positive for suicide (but is not acutely suicidal), student will be flagged and immediately connected to school-based provider for a risk assessment and will follow appropriate school protocols. If student is cleared by school-based provider, student may continue in study and the school-based provider will follow up with student in two weeks.
  • If student is acutely suicidal, student will be flagged and immediately connected to school-based provider who will follow school protocol (e.g., contact 211, contact parent/guardian, etc.). They will be ineligible to participate in the study on this day. Student may not return to rescreen for participation for at least 2 weeks and only when they are no longer actively suicidal.
  • Rescreening: Participants will not have to repeat the questions related to static variables (such as demographics and past experiences), but the baseline assessment of dynamic variables will need to be repeated and meet eligibility requirements.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Yale

    New Haven, Connecticut, 06519

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: A Digital Game Targeting Suicide Prevention in Adolescents Who Report Substance Misuse (Formative Work and Pilot Study)

The primary aim of this study is to design and develop a digital game that models the process of a safety planning intervention. To do so, the investigators will explore and better understand peer or student perceptions around potential warning signs, coping strategies, and seeking help among youth who may be at greater risk of suicide due to misuse of substances. Focus groups/interviews with adolescents, young adults, adults, and school-based behavioral health providers will be conducted. Findings will inform the development of a digital intervention to reduce the risk of suicide among adolescents who misuse substances. Once a prototype of the game is developed, play-test focus groups with adolescents, college-aged youth, and school-based mental health providers will be conducted to finalize the intervention. Once finalized, the investigators will conduct a pilot study with 60 adolescents aged 13-19 to assess user experience, acceptability and feasibility of the digital game.

Read the detailed description

Formative Work: In year 1, the aim is to design and develop a digital game that models the process of a safety planning intervention. To do so, the investigators will explore and better understand peer or student perceptions around potential warning signs, coping strategies, and seeking help among youth who may be at greater risk of suicide due to misuse of substances. Focus groups with adolescents, college-aged youth, and school-based mental health providers will be conducted. Findings will inform the development of a digital intervention to reduce the risk of suicide among adolescents who misuse substances. Once a prototype of the game is developed, the investigators will conduct play-test focus groups with adolescents and school-based mental health providers to finalize the digital game.

The focus of this clinical trial is the Pilot RCT: In year 2, the investigators will assess user experience, acceptability, and feasibility of the game as well as explore the following proximal outcomes such as but not limited to adolescent well-being, intentions to use a safety planning intervention, coping strategies, substance misuse in last 30 days, and associated risk factors related to suicidal risk (e.g., hopelessness, impulsivity, etc.).

Being tested
supportED, Control
Medical subject headings
Suicide

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • supportEDOther

    suicide prevention videogame

  • ControlOther

    non-health related videogame

Study groups in NCT05517382
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
supportED groupExperimentalParticipants in this group will engage with the digital game for one session (~45min) and will receive NIDA and NIMH pamphlets on substance misuse and mental health for youth at the end of the session. Participants will use a dedicated device (e.g., tablet, laptop, or desktop) to access their digital experience on the web. The research staff and a school-based provider will be present to monitor gameplay, to provide support, if needed, and to field questions in person.
Receives: Other: supportED
Control groupOtherParticipants in this group will engage with a non-health-related game for one session (~45min) and will receive NIDA and NIMH pamphlets on substance misuse and mental health for youth at the end of the session. Participants will use a dedicated device (e.g., tablet, laptop, or desktop) to access their digital experience on the web. The research staff and a school-based provider will be present to monitor gameplay, to provide support, if needed, and to field questions in person.
Receives: Other: Control

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Measuring Usability at Post-Gameplay

    Participants will complete surveys through a secured, data management system (RedCap). The Usefulness, Satisfaction, and Ease of Use Questionnaire (USE) is a validated, 30-item scale, where responses to system usability are measured on a scale from 1-7 where 1= strongly disagree and 7= strongly agree. Total score and subscales range 1-7. Higher scores indicate higher game usability.

    Measured: Immediately after Gameplay, up to 30 minutes

  2. Assessing the Digital Experience at Post-Gameplay

    Participants were asked about negative and positive aspects of the digital experience. Data presented here are the count of overall positive and negative statements taken from an open ended question asking participants to provide up to 3 positive and 3 negative aspects of the digital experience.

    Measured: Immediately after Gameplay, up to 30 minutes

  3. Measuring User Experience at Post-Gameplay

    Participants will complete surveys through a secured data management system (RedCap). The User Engagement Scale-Short Form (UES-Short Form) is a validated, 12-item self report measure that assesses six domains of engagement where responses are measured on a 5-point likert scale where 1= strongly disagree and 5= strongly agree. Total score range 1-5.Higher scores indicate higher user engagement.

    Measured: Immediately after Gameplay, up to 30 minutes

  4. Measuring Acceptability at Post-Gameplay

    Participants will complete surveys through a secured data management system (RedCap). The Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM) is a validated, 4-item self-report measure of perceived acceptability where responses are measured on a 5-point likert scale where 1 = completely disagree and 5= completely agree. Higher scores indicate higher intervention acceptability. Note: This measure was removed from the final questionnaire due to redundancy.

    Measured: Immediately after Gameplay, up to 30 minutes

  5. Measuring Feasibility at Post-Gameplay

    Feasibility will be measured through observation. Participants will also answer qualitative questions (e.g. does the intervention work? can the intervention be implemented in schools?) that will be developed by the study team. These questions are not a part of a larger scale. Minimal protocol deviations (Successful completion of protocols and procedures and minimal amendments through IRB) indicate feasibility of the digital game intervention. Data presented here are the number of deviations by type.

    Measured: Immediately after Gameplay, up to 30 minutes

Secondary outcomes (11)
  1. Change From Baseline in Coping Strategies on Brief COPE Scale at Post-gameplay and 3-months

    Participants will complete surveys through a secured, data management system (RedCap). Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE) adaptive and maladaptive subscales are validated, 28- item, 4-point self-report measures. Brief COPE measures assess 14 conceptually different coping reactions. Responses are measured on a 4-point likert scale where 1= I haven't been doing this at all and 4= I've been doing this a lot. Scores are summed to achieve total score with a range of 28-112. Higher scores indicate increased utilization of coping strategies within and across domains.

    Measured: Baseline, Immediately after Gameplay (up to 30 minutes), and at 3-Months.

  2. Change From Baseline in Emotion Regulation at Post-gameplay and 3-months

    Participants will complete surveys through a secured, data management system (RedCap). State-Difficulties in Emotion Regulation (S-DERS) is a validated, 21-item self-report measure. Responses are measured on a 5-point likert scale where 1= almost never and 5= almost always. Scores are summed for total score range of 21-105. Higher scores suggest greater problems with emotion regulation.

    Measured: Baseline, Immediately after Gameplay (up to 30 minutes), and at 3-months

  3. Percentage of Adolescents Thriving Post-gameplay and 3-months.

    Participants will complete surveys through a secured, data management system (RedCap). The Adolescent Well-Being assessment is a validated, 15-item school-based, self-report measure with 11-items focused on well being, and 5-items focused on student demographics. Higher scores indicate increased adolescent well-being. Data presented here is the difference in the change in the percentage of participants who were rated as "thriving" based on scores.

    Measured: Immediately after Gameplay (up to 30 minutes), and at 3-Months.

  4. Change From Baseline in Mindfulness at Post Gameplay and 3-months

    Participants will complete surveys through a secured, data management system (RedCap). The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) FFMQ is a validated, 15-item self-report measure that assesses facets of mindfulness. Responses are measured on a 5 point-likert scale where 1= never or very rarely true, and 5= very often or always true. Total score range 0-15. Higher scores indicate higher levels of mindfulness.

    Measured: Baseline, Immediately after Gameplay (up to 30 minutes), and at 3-months

  5. Change From Baseline in Intentions to Use a Safety Approach at Post-gameplay and 3-months.

    Participants will complete surveys through a secured, data management system (RedCap). Intentions to use a safety plan is a 7-item measure. Responses are measured on a 5-point likert scale where 1= strongly disagree and 5= strongly agree. Items are summed for a total score range of 7-35. Higher scores indicate increased intentions to use a safety planning approach.

    Measured: Baseline, Immediately after Gameplay (up to 30 minutes), and at 3-Months.

  6. Change From Baseline in Knowledge About the Safety Planning Approach at Post-gameplay and 3-months.

    Participants will complete surveys through a secured, data management system (RedCap). 6-items will assess learning goals of the intervention developed by the study team (e.g. warning signs, coping strategies, resources for support). These items are not apart of a larger scale. Total score range 0-8. Higher scores indicate increased knowledge about gameplay content.

    Measured: Baseline, Immediately after Gameplay (up to 30 minutes), and at 3-Months

  7. Change From Baseline in Severity of Suicidal Thoughts and Associative Behaviors on Concise Health Risk Tracking Self-Report (CHRT-SR) at 3-months.

    Participants will complete surveys through a secured, data management system (RedCap). Concise Health Risk Tracking Self-Report (CHRT-SR) is a validated, 14 item, 5-point self report measures comprised of the following subscales: Propensity, Impulsivity, and Suicidal Thoughts. Responses are measured on a 5-point likert scale where 0= strongly disagree and 4= strongly agree. Total score range of 0-56. Higher scores indicate increased severity of suicidal thoughts and associative behaviors.

    Measured: Baseline, and at 3-Months.

  8. Change From Baseline in Anxiety at 3-months.

    Participants will complete surveys through a secured, data management system (RedCap). The General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) is a validated, 7-item self report measure that assesses symptoms of anxiety. Responses are measured on a 4-point likert scale where 0=not at all and 3=nearly everyday. Item scores are summed with a total score ranging from 0 to 21: 0-4 Minimal anxiety; 5-9 Mild anxiety; 10-14 Moderate anxiety; 15-21 Severe anxiety. Higher scores indicate increased levels of anxiety.

    Measured: Baseline, and at 3-Months.

  9. Change From Baseline in Depression at 3-months.

    Participants will complete surveys through a secured, data management system (RedCap). The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is a validated, 9-item self report measure that assesses symptoms of depression. The total score on the PHQ-9 ranges from 0 to 27. Higher scores indicate increased levels of depression.

    Measured: Baseline, and at 3-Months.

  10. Change From Baseline in Help-Seeking Behavior at Post-gameplay and 3-months.

    Participants will complete surveys through a secured, data management system (RedCap). The General Help Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ) is a validated, 20-item self-report measure that assesses professional and non professional help seeking behaviors. Responses are measured on a 7-point likert scale where 1=extremely unlikely and 7=extremely likely. Total score range 20-140. Higher scores indicate increased help-seeking behavior.

    Measured: Baseline, Immediately after Gameplay (up to 30 minutes), and at 3-Months.

  11. Mean Number of Days of Substance Misuse in the Past 30 Days

    Participants will complete surveys through a secured, data management system (RedCap). Substance misuse of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana in the past 30-days will be measured. These measures are self-reported. Responses indicate frequency of use within past 30-days.

    Measured: Baseline, and at 3-Months.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted26 Aug 2022
  2. Study start21 Dec 2022
  3. Primary completion2 Feb 2023
  4. Study completion11 May 2023

Resources

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
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Eligible individuals will be assigned to either the 1) supportED group (n=30) or 2) control group (n=30).
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
61 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05517382
Sponsor's protocol ID
2000031180
Other IDs
2KL2TR001862-06
Status last verified
Mar 2024
First submitted
23 Aug 2022
Last updated
10 Apr 2024
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing supportED in people with Substance Misuse and Suicide, run by Yale University 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 4 inclusion and 5 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 10 Apr 2024. 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?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 10 Apr 2024). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

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?

Measuring Usability at Post-Gameplay (time frame: Immediately after Gameplay, up to 30 minutes). 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 10 Apr 2024.

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