Care BurdenNCT06509100
Altitudes: A Digital Intervention to Support Caregivers
A study testing Device: Altitudes USA in people with Care Burden and Care Giving Burden, run by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of the present study is to investigate the feasibility, accessibility, and potential clinical benefits of implementing a moderated online social media platform with therapeutic content, Altitudes, to parents, caregivers, and supporters of young people with psychosis across the state of North Carolina… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 99 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Care Burden, Care Giving Burden, Caregiver Burnout
- What is being tested?
- Device: Altitudes USA
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 17 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 3 Sep 2024to 31 Aug 2025
- 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 18 to 99 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- The participants must be a parent, caregiver, or supporter of a young person who is currently receiving treatment from a CSC program for FEP or STEP clinic, on the waitlist to receive services from the CSC, who has recently graduated/discharged from a CSC program, or was referred to the study from the community (via Early Psychosis Interventions of North Carolina (EPI-NC) warm line, community psychiatrist/therapist, or inpatient/outpatient mental health services) where young person is experiencing psychosis but was not referred or enrolled in CSC
- Parent, caregiver, or supporter must be > 18 years of age
- Participants recruited from NC CSC programs (i.e., OASIS, SHORE, Encompass, Eagle, AEGIS, WeCare2), STEP programs, and the community screening process
- Parent, caregiver, or supporter must have access to internet through a mobile phone, tablet, or computer
Who cannot join
- Parent or caregiver is currently engaged in legal action against the loved one experiencing psychosis
- Parent or caregiver does not speak and understand English as the platform, its moderation, interviews, and measures are available only in English
- Parent, caregiver, or supporter is <18 years of age
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599
About this study
Official title: Altitudes: A Blended Digital Health Intervention to Support Caregivers and Other Supporters of Young People With Psychosis
The purpose of the present study is to investigate the feasibility, accessibility, and potential clinical benefits of implementing a moderated online social media platform with therapeutic content, Altitudes, to parents, caregivers, and supporters of young people with psychosis across the state of North Carolina, including in Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) programs, Specialized Treatment Early in Psychosis (STEP) programs, and other community services where caregivers or supporters of young persons experiencing psychosis receive care. The investigators will evaluate acceptability and feasibility with up to 50 caregivers and supporters over the course of 6 months. Acceptability and usability will be assessed with various acceptability measures with the Altitudes caregivers and supporters, and caregivers and supporters' engagement with the digital platform. The investigators will additionally evaluate the impact of the platform on caregiver and supporter's psychological status, well-being, and social support, as measured via self-report questionnaires.
Read the detailed description
Purpose: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the feasibility, accessibility, and potential clinical benefits of implementing a moderated online social media platform with therapeutic content, Altitudes, to parents, caregivers, and supporters of young people with psychosis across the state of North Carolina, including in CSC programs, STEP programs, and other community services where caregivers or supporters of young persons experiencing psychosis receive care.
Participants: Fifty parent or supporter participants from CSC clinics (OASIS, SHORE, Eagle, Encompass, AEGIS, and WeCare2), STEP programs, or community services will be recruited for Altitudes.
Procedures (methods): All participants will be recruited over a 20-week to 28-week period at from the North Carolina's community services. Participants will engaged with the digital platform, known as Altitudes, for approximately 6 months. Site usage information as well as feedback about their experience will be collected from these participants through the Altitudes platform. Site usage information (e.g., number of posts/comments made on the site, the number and types of 'Journeys' or 'Tracks' [psychoeducation and therapeutic content] completed by participants, etc.) will be collected automatically through the Altitudes platform. Before being given access to Altitudes, a research coordinator, family peer support specialist, or moderator will provide instructions and guidance for using the site (i.e., Altitudes onboarding). Experiences, wellbeing, and support measures will be collected at baseline, mid-treatment (~3 months) and post-treatment (~6 months) for the Altitudes participants. As Altitudes involves psychoeducational and therapeutic content, this platform is considered an adjunct to care parents and supporters may be receiving. As such, Altitudes participants will not be compensated for their involvement in the platform. Site usage information will be collected automatically through the Altitudes site. However, Altitudes participants will be compensated for providing feedback about their experience with Altitudes as well as for completing other assessments. Finally, Altitudes will be monitored at least once daily by trained family peer support specialists, master's or Ph.D. level clinicians, and/or graduate students with relevant clinical/research experience with individuals experiencing psychosis and their supporters. Dr. Emily Parsons, trained clinical psychologist and family therapist, will lead bi-weekly supervision calls to ensure appropriate care and support of Altitudes participants involved in this project, to discuss case conceptualization and suggestions for engaging individuals in the platform, as well as to monitor any potential safety concerns.
- Conditions
- Care Burden, Care Giving Burden, Caregiver Burnout, Caregiver Stress, Caregiver Wellbeing, Support, Family
- Being tested
- Device: Altitudes USA
- Keywords
- Digital Intervention, Social Media, Virtual Therapeutic Content, Virtual Educational Content, Supporters, Caregiving
- Medical subject headings
- Caregiver Burden
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Device: Altitudes USADevice
Experimental participants will be onboarded to the digital platform, including the different spaces and how to use the site. The site includes educational and therapeutic content that is tailored to each individual and their current needs and experiences, including psychoeducation, supporting their loved one, self- care, social support, and so on. Further, the platform includes a moderated social media function, where users and family peer workers can post text, images, videos, and comments to connect and share their experiences. The site is monitored by graduated students and trained clinicians.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Altitudes Condition | Experimental | Individuals whose loved ones are experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP) and receiving services from OASIS, SHORE, Eagle, Encompass, AEGIS, and WeCare2), STEP programs, or community services will be recruited to participate in a digital platform, Altitudes, for 6 months as part of an adjunct service to the clinic's services. Participants will have access to and encouraged to use the educational and therapeutic content as well as the moderated online community network during their time engaging with the platform. They will be asked to complete a battery of measures at baseline, 3-months, and 6 months. Receives: Device: Device: Altitudes USA |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Mean Change in Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire (A-HCCQ) - Total Score
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 15-item scale. Answers are on a 7-point Likert scale (1-7) with options "Strongly Disagree", "Mildly Disagree", "Slightly Disagree", "Neutral", "Slightly Agree", "Mildly Agree", and "Strongly Agree". Possible scores range from 15 to 105 with higher scores reflecting better perceptions of their relationship with Altitudes moderators.
Measured: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
Mean Change in Working Alliance Inventory for Guided Internet Interventions (WAI-I) - Total Score
The Working Alliance Inventory for Guided Internet Interventions (WAI-I) is a 12-item scale. Answers are on a 5-point scale with options "seldom", "sometimes", "fairly often", "very often", and "always". Possible scores are averaged across items and range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate greater therapeutic alliance.
Measured: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
Mean Change in Working Alliance Inventory for Guided Internet Interventions (WAI-I) - Task and Goals Subscale
The Working Alliance Inventory for Guided Internet Interventions (WAI-I) task and goals subscale is an 8-item scale. Answers are on a 5-point scale with options "seldom", "sometimes", "fairly often", "very often", and "always". Possible scores are averaged across items and range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate greater agreement between the therapist and client on tasks and goals.
Measured: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
Mean Change in Working Alliance Inventory for Guided Internet Interventions (WAI-I) - Bond Subscale
The Working Alliance Inventory for Guided Internet Interventions (WAI-I) is a 4-item scale. Answers are on a 5-point scale with options "seldom", "sometimes", "fairly often", "very often", and "always". Possible scores are averaged across items and range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate stronger bond with the supporting therapist.
Measured: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
Mean Change in Altitudes Perceived Competence Scale (A-PCS) - Total Score
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 4-item scale. Answers are on a 7-point Likert scale with options "Not at all true"[1], "Somewhat true"[4], "Very true"[7] with a sliding scale between answers. Possible scores range from 4 to 28. Higher scores indicate stronger perceived competence and ability in using the Altitudes platform.
Measured: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
Mean Change in Altitudes Usability Questionnaire (AUQ) - Overall Impressions of Platform Subscale
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 20-item scale. The overall impressions of the platform scale is three 7-point Likert scale answers with options of "Strongly Disagree", "Mildly Disagree", "Slightly Disagree", "Neutral", "Slightly Agree", "Mildly Agree", and "Strongly Agree". Possible scores range from 3 to 21. Higher scores indicate better overall impressions of the Altitudes platform.
Measured: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
Mean Change in Altitudes Usability Questionnaire (AUQ) - Perception of Other Platform Users Subscale
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 20-item scale. The perception of other platform users subscale is four 7-point Likert scale answers with options of "Strongly Disagree", "Mildly Disagree", "Slightly Disagree", "Neutral", "Slightly Agree", "Mildly Agree", and "Strongly Agree". Possible scores range from 4 to 28. Higher scores indicate better perception of interactions with other Altitudes participants.
Measured: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
Mean Change in Altitudes Usability Questionnaire (AUQ) - Safety and Confidentiality Subscale
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 20-item scale. The safety and confidentiality subscale is two 7-point Likert scale answers with options of "Strongly Disagree", "Mildly Disagree", "Slightly Disagree", "Neutral", "Slightly Agree", "Mildly Agree", and "Strongly Agree". Possible scores range from 2 to 14. Higher scores indicate higher perceived safety and confidentiality when using the platform.
Measured: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
Mean Change in Altitudes Usability Questionnaire (AUQ) - Moderation and Peer Support Subscale
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 20-item scale. The moderation and peer support subscale is three 7-point Likert scale answers with options of "Strongly Disagree", "Mildly Disagree", "Slightly Disagree", "Neutral", "Slightly Agree", "Mildly Agree", and "Strongly Agree". Possible scores range from 3 to 21. Higher scores indicate higher regard of the moderators and peer support on the Altitudes platform.
Measured: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
Mean Change in Altitudes Usability Questionnaire (AUQ) - Ideas for Increased Engagement Subscale
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 20-item scale. The ideas for increased engagement subscale is five 7-point Likert scale answers with options of "Strongly Disagree", "Mildly Disagree", "Slightly Disagree", "Neutral", "Slightly Agree", "Mildly Agree", and "Strongly Agree". Possible scores range from 5 to 35. Each question has to be interrupted individually to assess of the subscale.
Measured: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
Mean Change in Altitudes Usability Questionnaire (AUQ) - Barriers to Use Subscale
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 20-item scale. The barriers to use subscale is six 7-point Likert scale answers with options of "Strongly Disagree", "Mildly Disagree", "Slightly Disagree", "Neutral", "Slightly Agree", "Mildly Agree", and "Strongly Agree". Possible scores range from 6 to 42. Lower scores indicate less issues with barriers to engaging with the platform.
Measured: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
Mean Engagement With the Altitudes Platform
The Altitudes platform passively collects engagement data, including the number of therapy material accessed, number of problem-solving discussion forums (i.e., "talk-it-outs"), and any posts, comments, or reactions (emojis to other users' posts/comments) made on the platform. The investigators will provide the means and standard deviations for these site usage categories throughout the study period.
Measured: [Up to Month 6]
Secondary outcomes (20)
Mean Change in Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Social Support Survey - Total Score
The MOS Social Support Survey is a 19-item scale. Answers are on a 5-point scale with options "none of the time", "a little of the time", "some of the time", "most of the time", and "all of the time". Possible scores range from 19 to 95. Higher scores reflect higher feelings of social support (more perceived social support). The MOS Social Support Survey is a part of the PhenX Toolkit.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) - Total Score
The GAD-7 is an 7-item scale. Answers are on a 4-point scale (0 = not at all; 3 = nearly every day) Possible scores range from 0 to 21. Higher scores reflect worse anxiety).
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) - Total Score
The PHQ is an 8-item scale. Answers are on a 4-point scale (0 = not at all; 3 = nearly every day). Possible scores range from 0 to 24. Higher scores reflect a greater severity of depression.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24-item (FFMQ-24) - Non-Reactivity Subscale
The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24 is a 24-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure an individual's mindful self-awareness. The non-reactivity subscale is 5 items with answers are on a 5-point Likert scale of "Never or very rarely true", "Rarely true", "Sometimes true", "Often true", and "Very often true or always true". Possible scores range from 5 to 25 with higher scores indicate more mindful non-reactivity to thoughts and feelings.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24-item (FFMQ-24) - Non-Judgmental Inner Experience Subscale
The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24 is a 24-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure an individual's mindful self-awareness. The non-judgemental subscale is 5 items with answers are on a 5-point Likert scale of "Never or very rarely true", "Rarely true", "Sometimes true", "Often true", and "Very often true or always true". Possible scores range from 5 to 25 once appropriate items have been reversed scored with higher scores indicate more nonjudgmental thoughts towards their beliefs and feelings.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24-item (FFMQ-24) - Mindful Action Subscale
The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24 is a 24-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure an individual's mindful self-awareness. The mindful action subscale is 5 items with answers are on a 5-point Likert scale of "Never or very rarely true", "Rarely true", "Sometimes true", "Often true", and "Very often true or always true". Possible scores range from 5 to 25 after appropriate items have been reversed scored with higher scores indicate more awareness around their actions and experiences.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24-item (FFMQ-24) - Description Subscale
The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24 is a 24-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure an individual's mindful self-awareness. The description subscale is 5 items with answers are on a 5-point Likert scale of "Never or very rarely true", "Rarely true", "Sometimes true", "Often true", and "Very often true or always true". Possible scores range from 5 to 25 after reverse scoring of appropriate items with higher scores indicate more to describe their feelings and experiences.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24-item (FFMQ-24) - Observation Subscale
The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24 is a 24-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure an individual's mindful self-awareness. The observation subscale is 3 items with answers are on a 5-point Likert scale of "Never or very rarely true", "Rarely true", "Sometimes true", "Often true", and "Very often true or always true". Possible scores range from 3 to 15 with higher scores indicate more observational awareness.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24-item (FFMQ-24) - Total Score
The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24-item is a 24-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure an individual's mindful self-awareness. It can be divided into five subscales: Observing, Describing, Acting in Awareness, Non-judging, and Non-reactivity. Answers are on a 5-point Likert scale of "Never or very rarely true", "Rarely true", "Sometimes true", "Often true", and "Very often true or always true". Possible scores range from 24 to 120 once necessary questions (i.e., negative) have been reversed scored. Higher scores indicate more mindfulness and self- awareness.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Self-Compassion Scale: Short Form (SCS) - Total Score
The Self-Compassion Scale is a 12-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure an individual's self-compassion towards themselves as well as their feelings and emotions. It can be divided into six subscales with two questions for each: Self-Kindness, Self-Judgment, Common Humanity, Isolation, Mindfulness, Over-identified. Answers are on a 5- point scale ranging from 1 "Almost never" to 5 "Almost always." Total score is calculated by totaling the mean of each subscales and reversing the negative subscales (self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification) then taking the mean of the summed subscales. Possible scores range from 1 to 5 with higher scores indicate increased self-compassion.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in the Modified Psychosis Attitude Survey - Total Score
The Modified Psychosis Attitudes Survey is a 19-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure an individual's beliefs and attitude towards psychosis (e.g., identifying psychosis, interacting with individuals experiencing psychosis, etc.). The survey can be divided into 4 subscales: perceived confidence, optimism, fulfillment, and stress-vulnerability orientation. Answers range from "Very strongly disagree", "Strongly disagree", "Mildly disagree", "Neutral", "Mildly agree", "Strongly agree", "Very strongly agree". Total score is obtained with summing each question, after reverse scoring appropriate questions. Possible scores range from 19 to 133. Higher total score indicates an increased knowledge, optimism, and attitudes towards psychosis.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale - Total Score
The UCLA Loneliness scale is a 20-item scale. Answers are on a 4-point scale with options "I often feel this way," "I sometimes feel this way," "I rarely feel this way," and "I never feel this way." Possible scores range from 20 to 80. Higher scores reflect worse outcomes (greater feelings of loneliness). The UCLA Loneliness Scale is a part of the PhenX Toolkit.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, up to Month 6]
Mean Change in the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Scale - Emotion-Focused Subscale
The Brief-COPE is a 28-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure effective and ineffective ways to cope with a stressful life event. The emotion-focused subscale is 12 items. Answers are on a 4-point scale ranging from 1 "I haven't been doing this at all" to 4 "I have been doing this a lot." Possible scores range from 12 to 48. Higher scores on each reflect more frequent use of emotion focused coping.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Scale - Avoidant-Focused Subscale
The Brief-COPE is a 28-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure effective and ineffective ways to cope with a stressful life event. The avoidant-focused subscale is 8 items. Answers are on a 4-point scale ranging from 1 "I haven't been doing this at all" to 4 "I have been doing this a lot." Possible scores range from 8 to 32. Higher scores on each reflect more frequent use of avoidance for coping.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Scale - Problem-Focused Subscale
The Brief-COPE is a 28-item self-report questionnaire designed to measure effective and ineffective ways to cope with a stressful life event. The problem-focused subscale is 8 items. Answers are on a 4-point scale ranging from 1 "I haven't been doing this at all" to 4 "I have been doing this a lot." Possible scores range from 8 to 32. Higher scores on each reflect more frequent use of problem focused coping.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Family Questionnaire of Expressed Emotion - Emotional Overinvolvement (EOI) Subscale
The Family Questionnaire (FQ) is a 20-item, self-administered questionnaire that measures expressed emotion status (criticism and emotional over involvement (EOI)) of family members toward patients with mental illness. The EOI subscale consists of 10 items with each item is rated on a 4-point scale (1 = never/very rarely; 4 = very often). The EOI subscale is scored by adding together the ratings from the individual items. Possible scores ranging from 10 to 40 with higher scores indicating greater levels of emotional overinvolvement with their loved one.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Family Questionnaire of Expressed Emotion - Critical Comments Subscale
The Family Questionnaire (FQ) is a 20-item, self-administered questionnaire that measures expressed emotion status (criticism and emotional over involvement (EOI)) of family members toward patients with mental illness. The subscale is 10-items and is rated on a 4-point scale (1 = never/very rarely; 4 = very often). It is scored by adding together the ratings from the individual items. Possible scores ranging from 10 to 40 with higher scores indicating greater levels of critical comments with their loved one.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Family Questionnaire of Expressed Emotion - Total Score
The Family Questionnaire (FQ) is a 20-item, self-administered questionnaire that measures expressed emotion status (criticism and emotional over involvement (EOI)) of family members toward patients with mental illness. The FQ has two subscales: critical comments, and EOI. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale (1 = never/very rarely; 4 = very often). The FQ is scored by adding together the ratings from the individual items. Possible scores range from 20 to 80 with higher scores indicating greater levels of expressed emotion.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in the Experience of Caregiving Inventory (ECI) - Negative Experiences Subscale
The ECI Scale is a 66-item scale. Answers are on a 5-point scale starting at 0 with options "never," "rarely," "sometimes," "often," and "nearly always". The negative experience subscale is 52 items with possible scores range from 0 to 208. Higher scores reflect feeling less prepared to provide caregiving and more negative experiences in caregiving.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in the Experience of Caregiving Inventory (ECI) - Positive Experience Subscales
The ECI Scale is a 66-item scale. Answers are on a 5-point scale starting at 0 with options "never," "rarely," "sometimes," "often," and "nearly always". The positive experience subscale is 14 items with possible scores range from 0 to 56. Higher scores indicate greater feelings of preparedness and experiences with caregiving.
Measured: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Jul 2024
- Study start3 Sep 2024
- Primary completion31 Aug 2025
- Study completion31 Aug 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Other trials for Care BurdenStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 17 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Kelsey R Ludwig, PhD, Principal investigator, University of North Carolina, Chapel HillDiana Perkins, MD, MPH, Principal investigator, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06509100
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 24-1141
- Status last verified
- Oct 2025
- First submitted
- 9 Jul 2024
- Last updated
- 8 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Deidentified individual data that supports the results will be shared beginning 9 to 36 months following publication and provided the investigator who proposes to use the data has approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Independent Ethics Committee (IEC), or Research Ethics Board (REB), as applicable, and executes a data use/sharing agreement with University of North Carolina (UNC).
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Altitudes: A Blended Digital Health Intervention to Support Caregivers and Other Supporters of Young People With Psychosis
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06509100
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 24-1141
- Conditions
- Care Burden, Care Giving Burden, Caregiver Burnout, Caregiver Stress, Caregiver Wellbeing, Support, Family
- Keywords
- Digital Intervention, Social Media, Virtual Therapeutic Content, Virtual Educational Content, Supporters, Caregiving
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 17 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of North Carolina, Chapel HillUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
- Study start
- 3 Sep 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Aug 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 Jul 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Posted 8 Jan 2026
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 the present study is to investigate the feasibility, accessibility, and potential clinical benefits of implementing a moderated online social media platform with therapeutic content, Altitudes, to parents, caregivers, and supporters of young people with psychosis across the state of North Carolina, including in Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) programs, Specialized Treatment Early in Psychosis (STEP) programs, and other community services where caregivers or supporters of young persons experiencing psychosis receive care. The investigators will evaluate acceptability and feasibility with up to 50 caregivers and supporters over the course of 6 months. Acceptability and usability will be assessed with various acceptability measures with the Altitudes caregivers and supporters, and caregivers and supporters' engagement with the digital platform. The investigators will additionally evaluate the impact of the platform on caregiver and supporter's psychological status, well-being, and social support, as measured via self-report questionnaires.
Detailed description
Purpose: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the feasibility, accessibility, and potential clinical benefits of implementing a moderated online social media platform with therapeutic content, Altitudes, to parents, caregivers, and supporters of young people with psychosis across the state of North Carolina, including in CSC programs, STEP programs, and other community services where caregivers or supporters of young persons experiencing psychosis receive care.
Participants: Fifty parent or supporter participants from CSC clinics (OASIS, SHORE, Eagle, Encompass, AEGIS, and WeCare2), STEP programs, or community services will be recruited for Altitudes.
Procedures (methods): All participants will be recruited over a 20-week to 28-week period at from the North Carolina's community services. Participants will engaged with the digital platform, known as Altitudes, for approximately 6 months. Site usage information as well as feedback about their experience will be collected from these participants through the Altitudes platform. Site usage information (e.g., number of posts/comments made on the site, the number and types of 'Journeys' or 'Tracks' [psychoeducation and therapeutic content] completed by participants, etc.) will be collected automatically through the Altitudes platform. Before being given access to Altitudes, a research coordinator, family peer support specialist, or moderator will provide instructions and guidance for using the site (i.e., Altitudes onboarding). Experiences, wellbeing, and support measures will be collected at baseline, mid-treatment (~3 months) and post-treatment (~6 months) for the Altitudes participants. As Altitudes involves psychoeducational and therapeutic content, this platform is considered an adjunct to care parents and supporters may be receiving. As such, Altitudes participants will not be compensated for their involvement in the platform. Site usage information will be collected automatically through the Altitudes site. However, Altitudes participants will be compensated for providing feedback about their experience with Altitudes as well as for completing other assessments. Finally, Altitudes will be monitored at least once daily by trained family peer support specialists, master's or Ph.D. level clinicians, and/or graduate students with relevant clinical/research experience with individuals experiencing psychosis and their supporters. Dr. Emily Parsons, trained clinical psychologist and family therapist, will lead bi-weekly supervision calls to ensure appropriate care and support of Altitudes participants involved in this project, to discuss case conceptualization and suggestions for engaging individuals in the platform, as well as to monitor any potential safety concerns.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Altitudes Condition | Experimental | Device: Device: Altitudes USAIndividuals whose loved ones are experiencing first-episode psychosis (FEP) and receiving services from OASIS, SHORE, Eagle, Encompass, AEGIS, and WeCare2), STEP programs, or community services will be recruited to participate in a digital platform, Altitudes, for 6 months as part of an adjunct service to the clinic's services. Participants will have access to and encouraged to use the educational and therapeutic content as well as the moderated online community network during their time engaging with the platform. They will be asked to complete a battery of measures at baseline, 3-months, and 6 months. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 99 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- The participants must be a parent, caregiver, or supporter of a young person who is currently receiving treatment from a CSC program for FEP or STEP clinic, on the waitlist to receive services from the CSC, who has recently graduated/discharged from a CSC program, or was referred to the study from the community (via Early Psychosis Interventions of North Carolina (EPI-NC) warm line, community psychiatrist/therapist, or inpatient/outpatient mental health services) where young person is experiencing psychosis but was not referred or enrolled in CSC
- Parent, caregiver, or supporter must be > 18 years of age
- Participants recruited from NC CSC programs (i.e., OASIS, SHORE, Encompass, Eagle, AEGIS, WeCare2), STEP programs, and the community screening process
- Parent, caregiver, or supporter must have access to internet through a mobile phone, tablet, or computer
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Parent or caregiver is currently engaged in legal action against the loved one experiencing psychosis
- Parent or caregiver does not speak and understand English as the platform, its moderation, interviews, and measures are available only in English
- Parent, caregiver, or supporter is <18 years of age
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Device: Altitudes USAExperimental participants will be onboarded to the digital platform, including the different spaces and how to use the site. The site includes educational and therapeutic content that is tailored to each individual and their current needs and experiences, including psychoeducation, supporting their loved one, self- care, social support, and so on. Further, the platform includes a moderated social media function, where users and family peer workers can post text, images, videos, and comments to connect and share their experiences. The site is monitored by graduated students and trained clinicians. | Device | Altitudes Condition |
Primary outcome
Mean Change in Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire (A-HCCQ) - Total Score
Time frame: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 15-item scale. Answers are on a 7-point Likert scale (1-7) with options "Strongly Disagree", "Mildly Disagree", "Slightly Disagree", "Neutral", "Slightly Agree", "Mildly Agree", and "Strongly Agree". Possible scores range from 15 to 105 with higher scores reflecting better perceptions of their relationship with Altitudes moderators.
Mean Change in Working Alliance Inventory for Guided Internet Interventions (WAI-I) - Total Score
Time frame: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
The Working Alliance Inventory for Guided Internet Interventions (WAI-I) is a 12-item scale. Answers are on a 5-point scale with options "seldom", "sometimes", "fairly often", "very often", and "always". Possible scores are averaged across items and range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate greater therapeutic alliance.
Mean Change in Working Alliance Inventory for Guided Internet Interventions (WAI-I) - Task and Goals Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
The Working Alliance Inventory for Guided Internet Interventions (WAI-I) task and goals subscale is an 8-item scale. Answers are on a 5-point scale with options "seldom", "sometimes", "fairly often", "very often", and "always". Possible scores are averaged across items and range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate greater agreement between the therapist and client on tasks and goals.
Mean Change in Working Alliance Inventory for Guided Internet Interventions (WAI-I) - Bond Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
The Working Alliance Inventory for Guided Internet Interventions (WAI-I) is a 4-item scale. Answers are on a 5-point scale with options "seldom", "sometimes", "fairly often", "very often", and "always". Possible scores are averaged across items and range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate stronger bond with the supporting therapist.
Mean Change in Altitudes Perceived Competence Scale (A-PCS) - Total Score
Time frame: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 4-item scale. Answers are on a 7-point Likert scale with options "Not at all true"[1], "Somewhat true"[4], "Very true"[7] with a sliding scale between answers. Possible scores range from 4 to 28. Higher scores indicate stronger perceived competence and ability in using the Altitudes platform.
Mean Change in Altitudes Usability Questionnaire (AUQ) - Overall Impressions of Platform Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 20-item scale. The overall impressions of the platform scale is three 7-point Likert scale answers with options of "Strongly Disagree", "Mildly Disagree", "Slightly Disagree", "Neutral", "Slightly Agree", "Mildly Agree", and "Strongly Agree". Possible scores range from 3 to 21. Higher scores indicate better overall impressions of the Altitudes platform.
Mean Change in Altitudes Usability Questionnaire (AUQ) - Perception of Other Platform Users Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 20-item scale. The perception of other platform users subscale is four 7-point Likert scale answers with options of "Strongly Disagree", "Mildly Disagree", "Slightly Disagree", "Neutral", "Slightly Agree", "Mildly Agree", and "Strongly Agree". Possible scores range from 4 to 28. Higher scores indicate better perception of interactions with other Altitudes participants.
Mean Change in Altitudes Usability Questionnaire (AUQ) - Safety and Confidentiality Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 20-item scale. The safety and confidentiality subscale is two 7-point Likert scale answers with options of "Strongly Disagree", "Mildly Disagree", "Slightly Disagree", "Neutral", "Slightly Agree", "Mildly Agree", and "Strongly Agree". Possible scores range from 2 to 14. Higher scores indicate higher perceived safety and confidentiality when using the platform.
Mean Change in Altitudes Usability Questionnaire (AUQ) - Moderation and Peer Support Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 20-item scale. The moderation and peer support subscale is three 7-point Likert scale answers with options of "Strongly Disagree", "Mildly Disagree", "Slightly Disagree", "Neutral", "Slightly Agree", "Mildly Agree", and "Strongly Agree". Possible scores range from 3 to 21. Higher scores indicate higher regard of the moderators and peer support on the Altitudes platform.
Mean Change in Altitudes Usability Questionnaire (AUQ) - Ideas for Increased Engagement Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 20-item scale. The ideas for increased engagement subscale is five 7-point Likert scale answers with options of "Strongly Disagree", "Mildly Disagree", "Slightly Disagree", "Neutral", "Slightly Agree", "Mildly Agree", and "Strongly Agree". Possible scores range from 5 to 35. Each question has to be interrupted individually to assess of the subscale.
Mean Change in Altitudes Usability Questionnaire (AUQ) - Barriers to Use Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]
The Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire is a 20-item scale. The barriers to use subscale is six 7-point Likert scale answers with options of "Strongly Disagree", "Mildly Disagree", "Slightly Disagree", "Neutral", "Slightly Agree", "Mildly Agree", and "Strongly Agree". Possible scores range from 6 to 42. Lower scores indicate less issues with barriers to engaging with the platform.
Mean Engagement With the Altitudes Platform
Time frame: [Up to Month 6]
The Altitudes platform passively collects engagement data, including the number of therapy material accessed, number of problem-solving discussion forums (i.e., "talk-it-outs"), and any posts, comments, or reactions (emojis to other users' posts/comments) made on the platform. The investigators will provide the means and standard deviations for these site usage categories throughout the study period.
20 secondary outcomes
Mean Change in Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Social Support Survey - Total Score
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) - Total Score
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) - Total Score
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24-item (FFMQ-24) - Non-Reactivity Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24-item (FFMQ-24) - Non-Judgmental Inner Experience Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24-item (FFMQ-24) - Mindful Action Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24-item (FFMQ-24) - Description Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24-item (FFMQ-24) - Observation Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire: 24-item (FFMQ-24) - Total Score
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Self-Compassion Scale: Short Form (SCS) - Total Score
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in the Modified Psychosis Attitude Survey - Total Score
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale - Total Score
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, up to Month 6]
Mean Change in the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Scale - Emotion-Focused Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Scale - Avoidant-Focused Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (COPE) Scale - Problem-Focused Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Family Questionnaire of Expressed Emotion - Emotional Overinvolvement (EOI) Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Family Questionnaire of Expressed Emotion - Critical Comments Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in Family Questionnaire of Expressed Emotion - Total Score
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in the Experience of Caregiving Inventory (ECI) - Negative Experiences Subscale
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Mean Change in the Experience of Caregiving Inventory (ECI) - Positive Experience Subscales
Time frame: [Time Frame: Baseline, Up to Month 6]
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 Jan 2026.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Deidentified individual data that supports the results will be shared beginning 9 to 36 months following publication and provided the investigator who proposes to use the data has approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB), Independent Ethics Committee (IEC), or Research Ethics Board (REB), as applicable, and executes a data use/sharing agreement with University of North Carolina (UNC).
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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.
Kelsey R Ludwig, PhD principal investigator
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Diana Perkins, MD, MPH principal investigator
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Device: Altitudes USA in people with Care Burden and Care Giving Burden, run by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 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 3 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 8 Jan 2026. 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 8 Jan 2026). 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?
Mean Change in Altitudes Health Care Climate Questionnaire (A-HCCQ) - Total Score (time frame: [Time Frame: Month 3, Month 6]). The study lists 12 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 8 Jan 2026.