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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT02486705

Evaluation of PTSD Family Coach, a Mobile Phone App for Family Members of Individuals With PTSD

The proposed pilot study is designed to test the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of a mobile phone application (app) developed by the VA National Center for PTSD (VA NCPTSD) for use by family members of those with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The primary objective of the proposed study is to assess whether family members of veterans with PTSD find the PTSD Family Coach app to be satisfactory and feasible to use. Secondary objectives are to determine if use of the app increases family members' self-efficacy and their ability to manage their own life stress, which may in part be the result of living with someone who has PTSD.

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Key information

Conditions

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Mental Disorders Stress Disorders, Traumatic Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1

Primary location

VA Palo Alto Health Care System

Menlo Park, California, 94025, United States

About this study

PTSD Family Coach is a mobile phone app for family members of individuals with PTSD. This application provides:

  • education about PTSD
  • a self-assessment tool measuring life stress
  • self-management skills to address acute distress and stress
  • direct connection to support and
  • information about VA and community resources for family members of individuals with PTSD

From this research, the investigators wish to learn whether family members of someone with PTSD find the PTSD Family Coach to be satisfactory and feasible to use. The investigators would also like to know if use of the app increases family members' knowledge of PTSD, and its treatment, and their ability to manage their own life stress, which may in part be the result of living with a Veteran with PTSD.

Currently, there are very few resources for family members of Veterans with PTSD. If this research demonstrates that PTSD Family Coach is a promising tool for family members, it has the potential to address a tremendous unmet need using a very cost-effective, scalable solution.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • currently living with a Veteran with significant PTSD symptoms
  • age 18 or older
  • own an iPhone, iPad or other iOS compatible device
  • currently experiencing at least moderate symptoms of stress

Exclusion criteria

  • currently enrolled in another study related to PTSD

Treatment and study plan

PTSD Family Coach Full

Behavioral

PTSD Family Coach mobile app is an iOS mobile phone application designed to provide information, support resources, tools for coping with caregiver-related stress, and tools for self-monitoring stress symptoms.

Other names: PTSD Family Coach app- full version

PTSD Family Coach Basic

Behavioral

PTSD Family Coach mobile app is an iOS mobile phone application designed to provide information and support resources,

Other names: PTSD Family Coach app- basic version

Primary outcomes

  1. Caregiver Burden (Montgomery Burden Interview)

    Time frame: 1 month

  2. Stress (Perceived Stress Scale)

    Time frame: 1 month

  3. Use of PTSD Family Coach Mobile App (Study-Specific Survey)

    Time frame: 1 month

  4. Satisfaction with PTSD Family Coach Mobile App (Study-Specific Survey)

    Time frame: 1 month

  5. Depression (PHQ-8)

    Time frame: 1 month

  6. Anxiety (GAD)

    Time frame: 1 month

Secondary outcomes

  1. Stigma Associated with Seeking Mental Health Care (Study-Specific Measure)

    Time frame: 1 month

  2. Perceived Benefits of Mental Health Treatment for PTSD (Study-Specific Measure)

    Time frame: 1 month

  3. Social Constraints (Social Constraints Scale)

    Time frame: 1 month

  4. Partner Self-Efficacy (Study-Specific Measure)

    Time frame: 1 month

  5. Veteran Interest in Treatment for PTSD (Study-Specific Measure)

    Time frame: 1 month

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

VA Palo Alto Health Care System

Fed

Registry information

Official study title

Pilot Evaluation of PTSD Family Coach, a Mobile Phone App for Family Members of Individuals With PTSD

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2015
Study completion
2015
First posted
Jul 1, 2015
Registry last updated
Sep 7, 2015

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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