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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04686864

A Virtual Parent-led Support Group for Parents of Children and Youth With Eating Disorders: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study Examining Acceptability, Cost and Parent Outcomes

There is a gap in the literature about the feasibility and implementation of parent-led support groups for parents who have children or adolescents with eating disorders. In this study, we will be observing the experiences of 40 parents in Ontario who will virtually participate in one of 3 parent-led support groups for parents of children and youth with eating disorders. Parents will be expected to attend the virtual sessions twice a month over the course of six months. We hope to evaluate the acceptability, cost, and parental outcomes of the parent-led support groups via surveys before, during, and after the study, as well as using a post-study interview.

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Key information

Conditions

Eating Disorders Feeding and Eating Disorders Mental Disorders Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Digestive

Age range

18 year–100 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Early Phase 1

Primary location

McMaster University

Hamilton, Ontario, L8N3Z5, Canada

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • have the capacity to write, speak and understand English, in order to participate in the sessions
  • have access to the internet/computer to participate in the sessions
  • must have a child or adolescent with an eating disorder.

Exclusion criteria

  • don't have the capacity to write, speak and understand English
  • don't have access to the internet/computer
  • don't have a child or adolescent with an eating disorder

Treatment and study plan

Support Group for Caregivers

Behavioral

Engage parents in the community via this support group, so they can be supported by other parents who "know the system", can advise them on how to proceed, and empower them to help their children. Parents will learn psychoeducation about eating disorders and how to support their children.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in number of parents who remain in the support group

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months later

    We will compare the number of parents who initially sign up for the support group to how many parents have stayed in the support group 6 months later.

  2. Number of support groups each parent attends

    Time frame: 6 months after baseline

    We will take note of how many support groups the parent attends in a 6 month period.

  3. Cost

    Time frame: 12 months after baseline

    To assess cost, we will collect data on the costs of the technology, software, and time (of parents and the facilitator).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Carer Burden

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months

    Carer Burden will be assessed using the Eating Disorders Symptom Impact Scale (EDSIS) - a 24 item measure examining the impact of symptoms on parents' lives. Minimum score is 0, maximum score is 96. A higher score indicates that the child's eating disorder symptoms are having a greater impact on their parent (more burdensome).

  2. Change in Carer Needs

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months

    Carer Needs will be assessed using the Carers Needs Assessment Measure (CaNAM), a 47-item questionnaire examining information received about eating disorders, support received from other people and organizations, support for self, and areas where help is needed. The minimum score is 0, the maximum score is 64. A higher score indicates that the carer has received sufficient information and support for themselves and their child.

  3. Change in Parental Self Efficacy and Collaboration

    Time frame: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months

    Parental self-efficacy and collaboration will be assessed using the Patient and Carer Collaboration Scale -C (PACCS), a 33-item questionnaire examining constructs such as hope, self-care and compassion, externalization of the eating disorder, and boundaries. Each question is evaluated on a scale of 0 to 100, where higher values indicate positive collaboration with their child and higher parental self efficacy.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

McMaster University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Dec 29, 2020
Registry last updated
Sep 10, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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