Study Hypothesis: A virtual peer-to-peer support intervention will improve health outcomes and quality of life in adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
The aim of this project is to develop and examine the impact of a virtual peer support program on health outcomes and quality of life of adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis using a waitlist randomized controlled trial. In addition to standard medical care, adolescents in the experimental group will receive a manualized peer mentorship program that will provide modeling and reinforcement by trained young adults aged 16-25 years who have learned to function successfully with their pain. Mentoring sessions consist of 10 sessions of 30-45 minute Skype calls over 8 weeks. Feasibility of the program will be measured in addition to quality of life, physical and emotional symptoms, pain coping, self-efficacy, social support, and self-management skills.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
The mentorship program will encourage mentored participants to develop and engage in self-management and transition skills and support their practice of these skills. The mentors will present information to mentored participants in a monitored virtual interaction using Skype for 8 weeks (10 total Skype sessions of 30-60 minutes each) to encourage participation in skill building tailored to their needs. All mentors will complete a paid 2.5 day training course and will be supported throughout the duration of the study (consultations with research staff to deal with unforeseen concerns). Mentored participants will complete online outcome measures prior to randomization (T1) and upon study completion (T2).
Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Feasibility
1. Accrual and Dropout Rates - recruitment and withdrawal rates will be calculated that the end of the study. 2. Compliance (Level of Engagement) - rates of completion of weekly calls and online outcome measures will be calculated that the end of the study - defined as 100% when the participant completes 10 calls over 8 weeks with all online measures completed. 3. Adolescents' Perception of JIA VP2P Program - the acceptability of and satisfaction with the JIA VP2P support program as measured through semi-structured phone interviews with mentees and focus groups with mentors 4. Estimates of Intervention Effects (e.g., effect sizes, variance measures/standard deviation) on health outcomes to inform the calculation of an appropriate sample size for the future definitive multi-centred randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Time frame: 2 months
Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL)
HRQL will be measured by using the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) Arthritis Module, a 22-item self-report scale which assesses the impact of arthritis in adolescents in terms of physical, psychological and social functioning.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 months
Pain
The Recalled Pain Inventory (RPI) measures current as well as least, average and worst pain intensity, pain unpleasantness, and pain interference with 38-items rated on a 11-point numerical rating scale (NRS).
Time frame: Baseline, 2 months
Knowledge and Social Support
The Medical Issues, Exercise, Pain and Social Support Questionnaire (MEPS) is a 24-tem measure used to assess knowledge and social support.
Time frame: Baseline, 2 Months
Self-Efficacy
Self-efficacy is assessed using the Children's Arthritis Self-Efficacy (CASE) 11-item measure, measuring symptom management, emotional consequences and activities related to their arthritis.
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Time frame: Baseline, 2 Months
Adherence
Adherence (or compliance) to prescribed medications, exercises and wearing of splints assessed using the Child Adherence Report Questionnaire (CARQ).
Time frame: Baseline, 2 Months