Technology Enhanced Adolescent Mental Health (TEAM)

Description

Adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and alcohol misuse, alone and especially in combination, portend significant functional impairment in adulthood (e.g., relationship dysfunction, depression, suicidality). Although psychosocial interventions for NSSI and substance use are effective for some, they are also expensive and require highly trained clinicians. Treatment is therefore often unavailable to disadvantaged adolescents and those who live rurally. Thus, lower-cost alternative treatments are needed. We will evaluate the efficacy of noninvasive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS), an effective treatment for depression, in reducing risk for NSSI and substance misuse among vulnerable adolescents.

Conditions

Nonsuicidal Self Injury, Alcohol Abuse, Vagus Nerve Stimulation

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and alcohol misuse, alone and especially in combination, portend significant functional impairment in adulthood (e.g., relationship dysfunction, depression, suicidality). Although psychosocial interventions for NSSI and substance use are effective for some, they are also expensive and require highly trained clinicians. Treatment is therefore often unavailable to disadvantaged adolescents and those who live rurally. Thus, lower-cost alternative treatments are needed. We will evaluate the efficacy of noninvasive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS), an effective treatment for depression, in reducing risk for NSSI and substance misuse among vulnerable adolescents.

Leveraging Biomarkers and New Technologies to Reduce Self-Injury and Substance Abuse Risk Among Highly Vulnerable Adolescents

Technology Enhanced Adolescent Mental Health (TEAM)

Condition
Nonsuicidal Self Injury
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

South Bend

University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, United States, 46617

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Have used alcohol
  • * Have engaged in ≥ 3 episodes of NSSI in the past 6 months or ≥ 5 lifetime (1 of these 5 must be in the past year)
  • * Own a smartphone (iPhone or Android)
  • * Autism
  • * Schizophrenia
  • * Have a cardiac pacemaker, implanted defibrillator, or implanted or metallic electronic device
  • * Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • * Have a history of seizures or epilepsy
  • * Temperomandibular Joint Disorder
  • * Bell's Palsy
  • * Impaired cranial nerve function or facial pain

Ages Eligible for Study

13 Years to 17 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Notre Dame,

Theodore P Beauchaine, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Notre Dame

Brooke A Ammerman, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Notre Dame

Kristin Valentino, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Notre Dame

Study Record Dates

2025-01