None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
A range of challenges faced by children and adolescents with asthma contribute to their increased experience of psychological distress and lower quality of life than peers without asthma. Psychological interventions such as cognitive and behavioural therapies (CBT) may provide young people with techniques and strategies to manage symptoms of psychological distress and therefore symptoms of asthma, to avoid exacerbations. However, reports indicate low uptake of psychological intervention in this age group, with youth preferring to seek help themselves via internet sources. To improve access to and uptake of evidence-based treatments for elevated psychological distress in adolescents (aged 13-17 years) with asthma, this project will evaluate mixed reality technology (augmented reality, virtual reality, holographic technology) as a delivery mechanism for a component of CBT. Development of mixed reality tools will be guided by a comprehensive protocol for health program development, with direction from experts in Design, Information Technology, Respiratory Medicine, and Psychology. The acceptability of these technologies for use by youth, their parents/guardians, and health professionals will be explored through qualitative research via one-on-one interviews. This study will provide essential pilot data to guide development of a fully powered randomised controlled trial.
Interventions
This is a qualitative study, seeking to explore the use of mixed reality technologies (augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), holographics) as a delivery mechanism for cognitive and behavioural therapies (CBT) in the treatment of elevated psychological distress among young people with asthma.
The mixed reality resources are yet to be developed. They will be based on a component of CBT, and will be developed by the investigator team's Clinical Psychologist. A needs review for this study i
This is a qualitative study, seeking to explore the use of mixed reality technologies (augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), holographics) as a delivery mechanism for cognitive and behavioural therapies (CBT) in the treatment of elevated psychological distress among young people with asthma. The mixed reality resources are yet to be developed. They will be based on a component of CBT, and will be developed by the investigator team's Clinical Psychologist. A needs review for this study is currently underway, which will be used to inform the development of these resources. To evaluate perceptions of usability and appropriateness to reach target audience, qualitative research will be carried out through one-on-one interviews. During the interviews, mixed reality tools will be demonstrated and participants allocated time to interact with the resources themselves. Semi-structured moderator guides based on rigorous, systematic frameworks will be used to direct interviews with n= 10 young people, n=10 parents, and n=10 health professionals. Qualitative interviews will be supplemented with a questionnaire including Likert scales to facilitate triangulation of data, and the System Useability Scale to identify useability data. Interviews will run for approximately one hour, and will take place in meeting spaces in the respiratory departments at two large, teaching hospitals in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia, or online via Zoom software, according to the participant's preference.
Sponsors
University of South Australia
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
13 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria for young people: Young people will be eligible for inclusion in this study if they: are aged between 13 and 17 years; have been formally diagnosed with asthma by a health professional (inpatients or outpatients); have experienced or are currently experiencing heightened symptoms of psychological distress determined by the K10+ scale; have access to a smartphone with the owner’s permission to use it; are English speaking/able to understand written English. Inclusion criteria for caregivers/parents: Participants will be eligible for inclusion in this study if they: are the caregiver/parent of a child with asthma (aged 13 to 17 years) who currently has/or has reported in the past heightened symptoms of psychological distress (does not need to be the parent/caregiver of a child actively participating in this study); have access to a smartphone and able to use smartphone technology (basic level); are English speaking/able to understand written English. Inclusion criteria for health professionals: Health professionals will be eligible for inclusion in this study if they: have been practicing in their respective fields for at least 12-months; have access to a smartphone and are able to use smartphone technology (basic level); are English speaking/able to understand written English.
Exclusion criteria
Participants with an intellectual disability or cognitive impairment that would inhibit their ability to provide informed consent and participate in the project will be ineligible to participate. Young people with a history of epilepsy or other contraindication for the use of VR will also be ineligible to participate.
Outcome results
None listed