Feasibility of a Life Coping Program: A Study Protocol

Overview

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the feasibility of the intervention Life Coping Program in children and adolescents 8-16 years of age. The main question it aims to answer is: Is the Life Coping Program in its current form feasible among children and adolescents with a variety of primary conditions? The health care providers of participants already undergoing the Life Coping Program will answer survey questions after key procedures of the intervention, and the research team will be given access to measures provided by the participants.

Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention Life Coping Program will be evaluated in an uncontrolled open-label trial using quantitative measures. Sixty children or adolescents with chronic illness or severe medical condition will be recruited along with one associated caregiver. Feasibility will be assessed by tracking attendance and participation in different parts of the intervention. Acceptability of the intervention will be assessed using patient reported experience measures (PREM). Health related quality of life (HrQoL) and level of physical activity will be measured using the Kidscreen 27 and Actigraph GT3X+ monitor, respectively, at baseline and post-intervention. The study is based on the British Medical Research Council's (MRC) framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions, and will explore innovative treatment strategies that could potentially improve current clinical outcomes and reduce the need for ongoing healthcare follow-up. The findings from this feasibility study will lay the groundwork for a future definitive randomized controlled trial in accordance with the MRC framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions.