None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of the proposed project is to examine the acceptability and efficacy of a low-intensity CBT-based self-management program, the Wellbeing Neuro Course to support the emotional wellbeing of adults with neurological disorders. The Course contains a 6-lesson 10-week internet delivered program. Participants will have brief weekly contact with a psychologist as they work through the Course. A two-group CONSORT-R Compliant randomised controlled trial (RCT) design will be employed, where participants are randomised to one of two groups: 1. Treatment Group (n = 100) 2. Waitlist Control Group (n = 100) Participants in the Active Treatment Group will receive full access to the Wellbeing Neuro Course. Participants are asked to complete standardised questionnaires at 4 main time points: Pre-treatment, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. The Waitlist Control Group will receive the same treatment after the Active Treatment Group has completed the 10-week Course
Interventions
The interventions, the Wellbeing Neuro Course, is an internet-delivered self-management program. It was developed at the eCentreClinic specifically for this body of research. It consists of'
(a) 6 online lessons provided over 10 weeks. The Lessons will include information about identifying symptoms of poor wellbeing including mental health and cognitive difficulties, and teach practical skills for their self- management including; managing thoughts, low mood and anxiety, problem solving, memory
The interventions, the Wellbeing Neuro Course, is an internet-delivered self-management program. It was developed at the eCentreClinic specifically for this body of research. It consists of' (a) 6 online lessons provided over 10 weeks. The Lessons will include information about identifying symptoms of poor wellbeing including mental health and cognitive difficulties, and teach practical skills for their self- management including; managing thoughts, low mood and anxiety, problem solving, memory and attention, and activity and fatigue levels. (b) Worksheets for each lesson. (c) Additional written resources, which include information about other important skills, such as problem solving common cognitive difficulties, assertiveness and communication skills and techniques for managing sleep difficulties. (d) Case stories based on previous participants, which they can follow throughout the Course. (e) Brief weekly contact with a psychologist via secure email or telephone. Participants will be encouraged to complete a lesson every 10 days and complete some basic homework in the following 10 days. All lessons can be downloaded and printed. Participants are encouraged to complete the course with a support person if available (e.g., partner, carer). Participants will be contacted by a psychologist each week to monitor their mood and progress through the Course; each eCentreClinic Psychologist receives 1 hour or more of weekly supervision from another eCentreClinic Psychologist in which all of their participants are reviewed; as per best-practice guidelines and eCentreClinic Policy. The Wellbeing Neuro Course is based on cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) principles and teaches evidence-based skills for managing the impacts of neurological conditions on day-to-day activities and overall mental health. Each lesson takes between 10 and 20 minutes to complete and it is suggested that participants read each lesson at least twice and spend approximately 4 hours, across the week, practicing the skills taught. Telephone calls will be limited to approximately 10 minutes per week; however, more time will be provided where clinically indicated. Adherence (e.g., logins, lesson completion, lesson views, time spent on course) will be monitored via the eCentreClinic software, which is used to provide the Wellbeing Neuro Course.
Sponsors
Department of Psychology, Macquarie University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria include: (a) Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury or Acquired Brain Injury by a GP or specialist (b) reporting that the neurological disorder affects their cognitive and emotional health, (c) 18+ years of age, (d) Living in Australia, (e) provide informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria include: (a) inability to use a computer, (b) very severe depressive symptoms indicative of >25 on the PhQ-9; (c) significant suicidal ideation (i.e., indicated by a score > 2 to Question 9 on the PHQ-9); (d) acutely suicidal or recent history of attempted suicide or self-harm, (e) Not being under medical management for their neurological disorder, (f) serious cognitive impairment (<21 on the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status; TICS) indicative of dementia.
Outcome results
None listed