Internet-based Coaching for Young Adults With Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Purpose: To develop a model for internet-based support and coaching to young adults with neuropsychiatric disorders (NPD). To improve the individual's psychosocial functioning and his/her understanding of how he/she is functioning.

NPD comprise problems with social interaction, attention, impulse control and hyperactivity. The most common NPD diagnoses are ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), autism spectrum condition (ASC) and Tourette's disorder (TD). In this study the investigators use Internet-based treatment for young adults with NPD.

Method: Support/coaching by using communication over the Internet (chat and e-mail) with individuals with NPD. Twice every week during 8 weeks, young adults with NPD are offered support and coaching over the Internet by psychologist/educational therapist with great experience from NPD. The individuals are assessed before and after treatment pertaining to quality of life, sense of coherence, self-esteem, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and parents' evaluation of the young adult's situation.

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Key information

Conditions

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Autism Spectrum Disorder Basal Ganglia Diseases Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Genetic Diseases, Inborn Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System Mental Disorders Movement Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurodegenerative Diseases Neurodevelopmental Disorders Tic Disorders Tourette Syndrome Tourette's Disorder

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

Aims: To develop an internet-based support and coaching model for young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and to validate the model. Method: A user centred design was applied to develop a model for internet-based support and coaching, where individuals received eight-week support via internet (chat). The model was validated by ten individuals, 15 to 26 years of age, with ASD and/or ADHD. Self-report questionnaires (Sense of Coherence (SOC), the Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA), Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD)) were distributed before and after intervention. A structured interview regarding the quality of the model, the Patient perspective of Care and Rehabilitation process (POCR), was used after the intervention. Results: The validation showed significant improvement of SOC, self-esteem and subjective Quality of Life at follow-up and the majority perceived high fulfilment/importance on the POCR. Conclusions: The model can be an important complement to other interventions for young people with ASD and/or ADHD.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

The individuals had to fulfill a diagnosis of ADHD, Tourette's disorder and/or an ASD (autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD NOS), according to the DSM-IV (APA, 1994).
The inclusion age was between 15 and 26 years.

Exclusion criteria

mental retardation,
current psychosis,
current major depression,
current alcohol and/or substance abuse/dependence,
severe dyslexia and/or severe psychosocial problems (e.g. criminality)

Treatment and study plan

Habilitation (Internet-based support and coaching)

Behavioral

Support and coaching with therapist (psychologist or educational therapist) by using chat and e-mail

Primary outcomes

quality of life (QoL)

Time frame: assessed at baseline; immediatelly after intervention and at 6-month follow-up

The Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA) is a 16-item scale that consists of four objective QoL questions and 12 questions pertaining to "life as a whole, job (or studies), financial situation, friendships, leisure activities, accommodation, personal safety, people that the person lives with, family and health".

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Vardalinstitutet The Swedish Institute for Health Sciences

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Internet-based Support and Coaching for Young Adults With Neuropsychiatric Disorders - A Pilot Study

Important dates

Study start: 2008
Primary completion: 2010
Study completion: 2010
First posted: Dec 12, 2014
Registry last updated: Dec 12, 2014

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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Completed