None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
We have developed an effective etherapy for depressed adolescents, called SPARX. SPARX takes form of an innovative fantasy game that lets young people learn skills in a virtual world and apply them in real settings. We made SPARX available online and linked it electronically with clinicians to allow them to ‘prescribe’ SPARX and monitor young people’s progress (via an emonitoring system). This study will pilot SPARX online paired with the e-monitoring system and evaluate its feasibility, acceptability and clinical utility. This study is in partnership with Kapity Youth Support (KYS, a multidisciplinary youth health clinic) and it is a clinical implementation study of an evidence-based intervention.
Interventions
SPARX is a self-help computerized cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) program. It consists of seven modules. It includes elements of fantasy gaming (learning by doing) and direct teaching and reflection on skills learnt in the game. Participants are encouraged to use SPARX weekly (1 to 2 modules a week). Each module takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Participants will complete SPARX on a computer with an internet connection (at home if a participant has access to broadband connection o
SPARX is a self-help computerized cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) program. It consists of seven modules. It includes elements of fantasy gaming (learning by doing) and direct teaching and reflection on skills learnt in the game. Participants are encouraged to use SPARX weekly (1 to 2 modules a week). Each module takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. Participants will complete SPARX on a computer with an internet connection (at home if a participant has access to broadband connection or in a clinic on a computer designated for SPARX, as agreed by a participant with his/her clinician). SPARX will be provided with e-monitoring. E-monitoring allows clinicians to oversee the progress of patients who are completing SPARX (mood, risk and adherence) remotely (i.e. via an electronic dashboard and system of email alerts).
Sponsors
University of Auckland
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
12 Years to 19 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Participants will be eligible for inclusion if: 1. Present with low mood or depressive symptoms or if a clinician determines low mood/depressive symptoms to be the primary problem. 2. They are aged 12 to 19 years of age (on day of the consent); 3. Newly referred/presenting to the health clinic or existing clients interested in this additional intervention; 4. The consent process will follow usual practice at health clinic (and any other site that may be added to this study). Individual consent will be collected from all participants. Parental consent will be collected if a clinician deems it appropriate. 5. They have sufficient English language ability to understand the program; 6. Can access a computer and Internet to use SPARX paired with e-monitoring. This may be a home computer but if the staff at the health clinic choose to offer SPARX online at the clinic, this will be available too.
Exclusion criteria
Participants will be ineligible in the study if: 1. They have severe depression, high suicide risk or other severe mental health issue which may mean that they are not safe to receive SPARX; 2. They have an intellectual disability or physical limitations that would result in them not being able to use the computer program 3. Currently is or has been receiving (past 3 months) CBT, interpersonal therapy or antidepressant medication
Outcome results
None listed