Clinical Trial: Using Mobile Technology to Enhance Multisystemic Therapy (MST) Outcomes

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Phase I - Using Mobile Technology to Enhance MST Outcomes (VillageWhere)

Brief Summary: 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.

Detailed Summary:
Sponsor: Evidence-Based Practice Institute, Seattle, WA

Current Primary Outcome:

  • Parental Monitoring of Teen Whereabouts and Activites [ Time Frame: up to 45-days ]
    How often did the caregiver use the app to locate their teen, to review a teen's check in to a location, and/or to review teen's self-report of behavioral expectations that were met
  • Delivery of Real-World Rewards for Positive Teen Behavior [ Time Frame: up to 45-days ]
    How often did the caregiver use the app to redeem the teen's points they have earned for a real-world reward (e.g., use of computer; going out with friends)
  • Parent and Teen Use of App [ Time Frame: up to 45-days ]
    How frequently are subjects using the app and what features of the app are they using?
  • App Usability and Acceptability [ Time Frame: Post assessment (end of 45-day app use period) ]
    Assesses participants' subjective rating of the usability and acceptability of the app


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Youth Functioning questionnaire [ Time Frame: Baseline and Post assessment (end of 45-day app use period) ]
    Assesses rule-breaking, aggressive, anxious/depressed, and drug/alcohol use behaviors
  • Parent Functioning and Behavior questionnaire [ Time Frame: Baseline and Post assessment (end of 45-day app use period) ]


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Evidence-Based Practice Institute, Seattle, WA

Dates:
Date Received: December 16, 2014
Date Started: April 2014
Date Completion:
Last Updated: August 1, 2016
Last Verified: August 2016