A pilot randomised controlled trial of the Peer Tree digital intervention targeting loneliness in young people: a study protocol

Trials

Study Protocol

David L. Penn¹  Robert Eres²  Lily Thurston³  Mario Alvarez-Jimenez⁴  Michelle H. Lim⁵  Thomas L. Rodebaugh⁶  John F. M. Gleeson⁷  Vassilis Kostakos⁸ 

[1] Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA;School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia;Department of Psychology, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia;Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia;Neurodisability and Rehabilitation, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia;Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia;Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;Prevention Research Collaboration, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia;Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia;School of Arts and Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA;School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia;

关键词: Digital technology;    E-mental health;    Randomised controlled trial;    Mental health;    Strength-based;    Loneliness;    University students;    Young adults;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13063-022-07029-7

 received in 2020-12-17, accepted in 2022-12-16,  发布年份 2022

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundYoung people are vulnerable to experiencing problematic levels of loneliness which can lead to poor mental health outcomes. Loneliness is a malleable treatment target and preliminary evidence has shown that it can be addressed with digital platforms. Peer Tree is a strength-based digital smartphone application aimed at reducing loneliness. The study aim is to reduce loneliness and assess the acceptability, usability, and feasibility of Peer Tree in young people enrolled at university.MethodsThis will be a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing a strength-based digital smartphone application (Peer Tree) with a control condition. Forty-two young people enrolled at university will be recruited for this pilot RCT. Participants with suicidal ideation or behaviours, acute psychiatric symptoms in the past month, or a current diagnosis of a mood or social anxiety disorder will be excluded. Allocation will be made on a 1:1 ratio and will occur after the initial baseline assessment. Assessments are completed at baseline, at post-intervention, and at follow-up. Participants in the control condition complete the same three assessment sessions. The primary outcome of the study will be loneliness. Depression, social anxiety, quality of life, acceptability, usability, feasibility, and safety of Peer Tree will also be measured as secondary outcomes.DiscussionThis trial will report the findings of implementing Peer Tree, a smartphone application aimed at reducing loneliness in university students. Findings from this trial will highlight the initial efficacy, acceptability, and feasibility of using digital positive psychology interventions to reduce subthreshold mental health concerns. Findings from this trial will also describe the safety of Peer Tree as a digital tool. Results will contribute evidence for positive psychology interventions to address mental ill-health.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12619000350123. Registered on 6 March 2020

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

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