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Traumatic Brain InjuryRRTC--TOPSNCT01042899

Rehabilitation Research and Training Center for Traumatic Brain Injury Interventions--Teen Online Problem Solving Study

A study testing Teen Online Problem Solving (TOPS), Teen Online Problem Solving--Teen Only (TOPS-TO) and Internet Resources Comparison (IRC) in people with Traumatic Brain Injury, run by Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati at 5 sites in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of an Internet-based psychosocial treatment in improving problem-solving, communication skills, stress management strategies, and coping among teens who have had a traumatic brain injury and their families. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 11 to 18 years
Conditions the study is for
Traumatic Brain Injury
What is being tested?
Teen Online Problem Solving (TOPS), Teen Online Problem Solving--Teen Only (TOPS-TO) and Internet Resources Comparison (IRC)
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
153 participants
Where
5 sitesUnited States
Study dates
Mar 2010to Dec 2015
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 11 to 18 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Moderate to severe TBI that occurred within the last 18 months
  • Overnight hospital stay
  • English-speaking
  • Parent must be willing to provide informed consent

Who cannot join

  • Child does not live with parents or guardian
  • Child or parent has history of hospitalization for psychiatric problem
  • TBI is a result of child abuse
  • Child suffered a non-blunt injury (e.g., projectile wound, stroke, drowning, or other form of asphyxiation)
  • Diagnosed with moderate or severe mental retardation, autism, or a significant developmental disability

Trial locations and contacts

5 sites in 1 country.

5 sites in 1 country

United States5 sites
  • Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

    Cincinnati, Ohio, 45224

  • Rainbow Babies' and Children's Hospital

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44106

  • MetroHealth Medical Center

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44109

  • Nationwide Children's Hospital

    Columbus, Ohio, 43205

  • The Children's Hospital

    Denver, Colorado, 80045

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Rehabilitation Research and Training Center for Traumatic Brain Injury Interventions

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of an Internet-based psychosocial treatment in improving problem-solving, communication skills, stress management strategies, and coping among teens who have had a traumatic brain injury and their families.

Read the detailed description

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adolescents is a significant stressor for both the teen and his or her family. Existing interventions are rare and access to treatment can be restricted by distance and finances. Based on previous findings and participant feedback, we propose to expand the previously developed TOPS intervention by conducting a multi-site study comparing the efficacy of TOPS to that of TOPS-Teen Only (TOPS-TO) in improving child behavior and functioning, parental depression and distress and family functioning. The efficacy of both active treatments would be examined in relation to an internet resource comparison group (IRC). During years 1-3, we will recruit 165 children between the ages of 11 and 18 with moderate to severe TBI and randomly assign them to receive TOPS, TOPS-TO, or IRC. We anticipate that TOPS will result in improvements in child, caregiver, and family functioning relative to IRC; but that TOPS-TO will only result in improvements in child behavior and adjustment. Based on prior research, we anticipate that the family-level treatment model of TOPS may be more effective than TOPS-TO in improving child behavior for children/adolescents with fewer social resources. Given these expectations, we will test the following hypotheses: 1) Children with TBI receiving either TOPS or TOPS-TO will have fewer behavior problems, greater social competence, and better functioning than those receiving IRC at both post-treatment and at a 6-month follow-up assessment. 2) Caregivers of children receiving TOPS will report less depression and psychological distress, less parent-child conflict, and better family functioning than those receiving TOPS-TO or IRC at both post-treatment and at a 6-month follow-up assessment. 3) Social resources will moderate treatment efficacy, such that children with limited social and economic resources will show greater improvements in the more comprehensive TOPS intervention. We hypothesize better teen problem solving and communication skills, fewer teen emotional/behavioral problems, less parental burden and distress, and less parent-teen conflict at follow-up among the TOPS group compared to the IRC group. TOPS makes use of emerging technology to address the multifaceted needs of teens following TBI with the goal of improving the teen's social and emotional functioning, thereby enabling him or her to better negotiate the complex transition to adulthood and independent functioning.

Being tested
Teen Online Problem Solving (TOPS), Teen Online Problem Solving--Teen Only (TOPS-TO), Internet Resources Comparison (IRC)
Keywords
TBI, intracranial edema, brain edema, craniocerebral trauma, head injury, brain hemorrhage, traumatic, subdural hematoma, brain concussion, head injuries, closed, epidural hematoma, extra-axial hemorrhage, cortical contusion, wounds and injuries, disorders of environmental origin, trauma, nervous system, brain injuries
Medical subject headings
Brain Injuries, Traumatic, Brain Edema, Craniocerebral Trauma, Brain Hemorrhage, Traumatic, Hematoma, Subdural, Brain Concussion, Head Injuries, Closed, Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Teen Online Problem Solving (TOPS)Behavioural

    Also called TOPS

    The TOPS program has 10 sessions that provide training in stress management, problem solving, communication, and social skills to all enrolled families, while the remaining 6 sessions address content related to the stressors and burdens of individual families. Each self-guided online session includes real adolescents talking about how TBI affected them, content regarding the skill, video clips showing adolescents and/or families modeling the skill, and exercises giving the family an opportunity to practice the skill. After the completion of the self-guided web pages, the family will meet with the therapist via videoconference; the therapist will review the exercises and help the family implement the problem-solving process with a problem or goal identified by the family.

  • Teen Online Problem Solving--Teen Only (TOPS-TO)Behavioural

    Also called TOPS-TO

    TOPS-TO targets the same skills as TOPS and includes largely the same website and intervention content. However, it differs with respect to the extent of family involvement in the sessions. In TOPS-TO, sessions will be conducted with the child or adolescent alone, rather than with the family as whole. Parents will be given access to the TOPS-TO website content via their own password protected site so they will understand the skills that their child is learning. However, only the adolescent, and not the parents, will participate in the synchronous videoconferences with the therapist.

  • Internet Resources Comparison (IRC)Behavioural

    Also called IRC

    Families in the IRC group will also receive a computer, printer, and high-speed internet access if they do not currently have these. Additionally, IRC families receive access to a home page of brain injury resources and links (identical to those given on the TOPS and TOPS-TO homepage) but will not be able to access specific session content. This will enable us to equate the groups with respect to access to the information and resources available on the Web.

Study groups in NCT01042899
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Teen Online Problem Solving (TOPS)ExperimentalWeb intervention
Receives: Behavioral: Teen Online Problem Solving (TOPS); Behavioral: Teen Online Problem Solving--Teen Only (TOPS-TO); Behavioral: Internet Resources Comparison (IRC)
Teen Online Problem Solving---Teen OnlyExperimentalWeb Intervention
Receives: Behavioral: Teen Online Problem Solving--Teen Only (TOPS-TO)
Internet Resources ComparisonActive comparatorWeb Intervention
Receives: Behavioral: Internet Resources Comparison (IRC)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Parent Report Measures

    Measured: 5 years

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Teen Self-Report Measures

    Measured: 5 years

  2. Neuropsychological Testing

    Measured: 5 years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted6 Jan 2010 (estimated)
  2. Study startMar 2010
  3. Primary completionDec 2015
  4. Study completionDec 2015

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
153 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01042899
Sponsor's protocol ID
H133B090010--01
Acronym
RRTC--TOPS
Status last verified
Mar 2016
First submitted
5 Jan 2010
Last updated
8 Mar 2016
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes

Publications

  • Narad ME, Kaizar EE, Zhang N, Taylor HG, Yeates KO, Kurowski BG, Wade SL. The Impact of Preinjury and Secondary Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder on Outcomes After Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2022 Aug 1;43(6):e361-e369. doi: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000001067. Epub 2022 Feb 15.

    PubMed 35170571
  • Wade SL, Fisher AP, Kaizar EE, Yeates KO, Taylor HG, Zhang N. Recovery Trajectories of Child and Family Outcomes Following Online Family Problem-Solving Therapy for Children and Adolescents after Traumatic Brain Injury. J Int Neuropsychol Soc. 2019 Oct;25(9):941-949. doi: 10.1017/S1355617719000778. Epub 2019 Aug 13.

    PubMed 31405391
  • Narad ME, Raj S, Yeates KO, Taylor HG, Kirkwood MW, Stancin T, Wade SL. Randomized Controlled Trial of an Online Problem-Solving Intervention Following Adolescent Traumatic Brain Injury: Family Outcomes. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2019 May;100(5):811-820. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2019.01.010. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

    PubMed 30738021
  • Wade SL, Kaizar EE, Narad M, Zang H, Kurowski BG, Yeates KO, Taylor HG, Zhang N. Online Family Problem-solving Treatment for Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury. Pediatrics. 2018 Dec;142(6):e20180422. doi: 10.1542/peds.2018-0422. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

    PubMed 30413559
  • Lantagne A, Peterson RL, Kirkwood MW, Taylor HG, Stancin T, Yeates KO, Wade SL. Featured Article: Interpersonal Stressors and Resources as Predictors of Adolescent Adjustment Following Traumatic Brain Injury. J Pediatr Psychol. 2018 Aug 1;43(7):703-712. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsy020.

    PubMed 29617953
  • Wade SL, Narad ME, Kingery KM, Taylor HG, Stancin T, Kirkwood MW, Yeates KO. Teen online problem solving for teens with traumatic brain injury: Rationale, methods, and preliminary feasibility of a teen only intervention. Rehabil Psychol. 2017 Aug;62(3):290-299. doi: 10.1037/rep0000160.

    PubMed 28836809
  • Wade SL, Cassedy AE, Fulks LE, Taylor HG, Stancin T, Kirkwood MW, Yeates KO, Kurowski BG. Problem-Solving After Traumatic Brain Injury in Adolescence: Associations With Functional Outcomes. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2017 Aug;98(8):1614-1621. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2017.03.006. Epub 2017 Apr 4.

    PubMed 28389109

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Teen Online Problem Solving (TOPS), Teen Online Problem Solving--Teen Only (TOPS-TO) and Internet Resources Comparison (IRC) in people with Traumatic Brain Injury, run by Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati at 5 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Mar 2016. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 5 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Parent Report Measures (time frame: 5 years). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01042899, which also lists 7 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Mar 2016.

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