Developing a Digital Intervention for Adolescent Nonsuicidal Self-injury
Sponsored by Northwestern University
About this study
This is a feasibility trial of a digital mental health intervention aimed at adolescents (ages 14-18) with nonsuicidal self-injury and who are not currently engaged in mental health treatment. The study has two arms: a self-guided DMHI and an active control which will involve the delivery of non-interactive psychoeducational content via the same app interface. The primary goals of this project are to evaluate the feasibility of the intervention and trial procedures in preparation for a fully-powered randomized-controlled trial.
The primary purpose of this trial is to test the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of an 8-week digital mental health intervention (DMHI) for non-treatment engaged adolescents who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury. The DMHI will include a highly interactive conversational agent that conveys psychoeducational content and guides participants through skill-based activities. The study team will conduct a 2-arm feasibility trial, randomizing participants to receive either DMHI (weeks 1-8) or an active psychoeducational control (weeks 1-8). Participants will be 1:1 randomized to arms in varying block sizes of 4 and 6. To prevent allocation bias, randomization will be conducted by the biostatistician, who will not inform the study team of the treatment arms until the b…
Where this study is enrolling
- I'm interested
Northwestern University
Chicago, Illinois
Who can participate
Inclusion criteria
- ✓Current NSSI (NSSI on 2 or more days in the last month
- ✓English language skills sufficient to engage in the consent and intervention procedures
- ✓Age 14-18
- ✓Access to smartphone
Exclusion criteria
- ✕Severe mental health diagnoses for which this intervention would be inappropriate (psychotic disorders, active manic episodes)
- ✕Severe suicide risk, including suicidal ideation with a plan and intent to act
- ✕Current engagement in psychotherapy
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Trial data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.