Internet Support Group for Parents of a Child With Neurofibromatosis Type 1

BACKGROUND:

• The complex symptom profile in NF1 puts children and adolescents with this condition at risk for a variety of physical, cognitive, and social-emotional difficulties. Thus, caring for a child with a chronic medical condition such as NF1 can be challenging.
• Over the last two decades, researchers have been examining the use of internet support groups (ISGs) as a means of connecting individuals with similar conditions, diagnoses, or challenges to provide emotional and informational support.
• While the benefits of ISGs have been well documented in many studies of medical patients, very few have examined the use of ISGs in parents of children with chronic medical conditions. Further, no studies have been conducted on an ISG in parents of a child with NF1.

OBJECTIVES:

• The primary objective of this pilot study is to assess the effectiveness of an ISG designed for parents of children with NF1 on a measure of perceived social support.
• Secondary objectives are to assess effects of the ISG on self-efficacy, depression, and anxiety, and to explore themes and topics discussed in the ISG.

ELIGIBILITY:

Eligible participants must self-report:

• Being greater than or equal to 18 years of age
• Having a child with a diagnosis of NF1 between 0 and 25 years of age
• Living in the same home as the child with NF1

• Having regular access to a computer with internet capability

DESIGN:

• Parents of children with NF1 will be recruited through Dr. Widemann s NF1 patient database and through the Children s Tumor Foundation s (CTF) NF registry.
• Eligible participants will be emailed a link to access the study website through the CTF website. Due to the nature of the study, consent will be obtained online.
• After consenting, participants will be administered (electronically) baseline measures of perceived social support, self-efficacy, depression, and anxiety. After 8 weeks, participants will complete the measures again via the same website, as well as a post-study questionnaire assessing their experiences with participation. Measures will be repeated at 3-months post-intervention.
• Content analyses will be performed to identify themes and needs of the participants

• ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Inclusion criteria

FOR PARENT PARTICPANT:

Participants must self-report being the primary caregiver of one or more children ages 0 to 25 with a confirmed diagnosis of NF1.

Participants must report being at least 18 years of age.

Participants must report living in the same home as the child(ren) with NF1 a majority of the time.

Participants must report having regular access to a computer and internet connection.

Participants will indicate they do not have any plans to start any other internet support group for parents of children with NF during the study time period.

Participants must have the ability to read and communicate in the English language.

Participants must have the ability to understand and the willingness to provide an online informed consent document.

Exclusion criteria

FOR PARENT PARTICIPANT:

Although individuals will be allowed to participate if they currently are part of another internet forum for NF, they will be excluded if they report they plan to start a new internet support group during the study period.