Phenylketonurias
Conditions
Brief summary
While previous PKU intervention research has largely focused on pharmacological treatment of elevated Phe levels, the adaptation of evidence-based psychosocial therapy holds promise for addressing cognitive and psychological symptoms and significantly improving quality of life. Study goals include: (1) to demonstrate the efficacy and feasibility of a short-term skills-based intervention (Show Me FIRST) for anxiety and depression in adolescents with PKU, and (2) to further establish the psychometric validity of novel assessment measures recently developed by the Investigators that utilize ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to capture in the moment neurocognitive and psychological function. The Investigators propose to conduct a randomized controlled trial wherein 30 adolescents with PKU will be randomized to either an immediate intervention group or wait-list/delayed intervention group.
Detailed description
A sample of 30 adolescents (age 10-17) with PKU and a history of elevated anxiety and/or depression symptomatology will be recruited to participate in a randomized control trial. Following screening and informed consent, participants will be randomized to an immediate intervention group (n=15) or wait-list/delayed intervention group (n=15). Participants will receive the 10-week Show Me First program for treatment of anxiety and depression. Participants will complete extensive psychological and neurocognitive evaluations at three timepoints: Weeks 0, 11, and 22. The assessments and intervention will all be administered remotely via secure videoconference and cell-phone based applications.
Interventions
Show Me FIRST is a flexible, transdiagnostic intervention organized around well-tested principles of youth psychotherapeutic change.
Sponsors
Study design
Intervention model description
Wait-list Control Design
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
* Youth 10-17 years old and at least one parent/guardian * Formal diagnosis of PKU (as confirmed/reported by caregiver): identified by newborn screening with PKU as evidenced by a blood Phe level ≥ 360μmol/L; received treatment within the first 30 days of life. * Interest in receiving a brief, psychotherapeutic skills program to prevent and treat symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, according to parent- and youth-report * Located in Missouri, Kansas, or Illinois.
Exclusion criteria
* Have significant intellectual disability (IQ\<70) or significant expressive or receptive language that would interfere with psychotherapy, according to parent- or youth-report * Plans to receive non-study psychotherapy during the course of study participation, according to parent- or youth-report * Plans to change current psychoactive or PKU-related medication during the course of study participation, according to parent- or youth-report * Have active suicidal ideation that would necessitate immediate treatment or require higher level of care than brief psychotherapy, according to parent- or youth-report
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PROMIS Anxiety & Depression scales | Weeks 0, 11, & 22 | Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure of anxiety & depression symptoms |
| Test My Brain phone-based EMA cognitive test | Weeks 0, 11, & 22 | Performance-based measure of cognitive skill & attention |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ADHD Rating Scale - 4th version (ADHD-RS-IV) | Weeks 0, 11, & 22 | Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure of ADHD symptoms |
| Executive Function, Attention, and Speed Symptom Inventory (EASSI) for PKU | Weeks 0, 11, & 22 | Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure of cognitive symptoms |
| Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (Rey AVLT) | Weeks 0, 11, & 22 | Performance-based measure of memory & learning |
| Stop Signal Task (SST) | Weeks 0, 11, & 22 | Performance-based measure of inhibitory ability |
| Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) | Weeks 0, 11, & 22 | Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure of everyday symptoms of executive problems |
| Behavior & Feelings Survey (BFS) | Weeks 0, 11, & 22 | Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure of internalizing & externalizing problems |
| Adolescent Insomnia Questionnaire (AIQ) | Weeks 0, 11, & 22 | Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure of sleep problems |
| Global Impression Scale | Weeks 0, 11, & 22 | Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure of overall symptom severity and improvement |
| Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) | Weeks 0, 11, & 22 | Patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure of anxiety & depression symptoms |
| Blood Phenylalanine Levels | Weeks 0, 5, 11, 16, & 22 | — |
Countries
United States