Using Mobile Technology to Enhance Multisystemic Therapy (MST) Outcomes

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Child Behavior Disorders

In brief

The goal of the current trial is to assess the feasibility of a newly developed prototype of a cell phone app called VillageWhere. VillageWhere is designed to improve clinical outcomes of youth with externalizing behavioral problems by improving parental monitoring of youth whereabouts and activities while increasing the delivery of rewards to teens for good behavior. This Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposal seeks to develop and conduct initial feasibility testing of the VillageWhere prototype. The primary features of the prototype include location monitoring via smartphones' global positioning system (GPS) functionality as well as facilitating teen self-appraisal of meeting behavioral expectations. Good behavior is rewarded with points that are tracked by the app and can be used to redeem for real-world rewards. The investigators will conduct an 45-day open trial (N=20 caregiver/teen dyads) to assess use, feasibility and acceptability for teens involved in the juvenile justice system or otherwise struggling with externalizing behavioral problems. Caregivers and teens will be assessed at baseline, before receiving the app, and at the end of the app use period (45 days). The therapist of each caregiver/teen dyad will also be assessed at the end of the app use period. Primary outcomes include: use of app features, monitoring of teen behavior and whereabouts, delivery of real-world rewards, and feasibility and acceptability. Secondary outcomes include: parenting behaviors, externalizing teen behaviors and internalizing teen behaviors.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT02320903

Run by

Evidence-Based Practice Institute, Seattle, WA

People needed

88

Starts

2014-04-01

Expected to finish

2016-03-01

Last updated by the study team

2018-02-14

Who can join

Age: 13 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Teen: English speaking, between ages of 13 and 17, juvenile justice involvement and/or externalizing behavioral problems, currently in treatment and will remain in treatment for duration of trial
• Caregiver: English speaking, owns Android smart phone, currently in treatment with their teen and will remain in treatment for duration of trial

You may not qualify if…

• N/A

Where it is running

• Evidence-Based Practice Institute — Seattle, Washington, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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