4 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
A clinical trial investigating the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a moderated online social media platform with therapeutic content, Horyzons, as a part of care received at first-episode psychosis (FEP) clinics across North Carolina. Clients between the ages of 16 and 35 who are enrolled at one of the 4 FEP clinics or 3 UNC-affiliated STEP Clinics in North Carolina will be considered for enrollment in the trial. Cohort 1 participants will have access to the platform for 3 months and cohort 2 participants will have access to the platform for 6 months. All interventions and assessments will be completed virtually/remotely due to the global pandemic.
Purpose: To test the effectiveness of an exercise intervention that combines group walking, activity tracking, and heart rate monitoring (i.e. Physical Activity can Enhance Life, PACE-Life) on the physical and mental health for individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Participants: 50 individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Procedures (methods): During the baseline assessment, which can be completed virtually and in-person (based on participant preference) all participants will be provided with a Fitbit wristband and instructed how to use it. During the first group session, participants will be taught how to use their heart rate (on the Fitbit) to determine how fast participants should walk (to achieve the appropriate exercise dosage). Information on proper care, usage, and how to determine the appropriate heart rate from the watch, to guide the intensity of the walk, will be provided to participants and reviewed at each group session. Participants randomly assigned to the PACE Life virtual walking group sessions will meet the other group members and group leaders and be reminded of the heart rate (HR) that corresponds with the intensity of that group session. Next, the group will exercise for 15 minutes in the first two weeks, progressing to 30-minute walking sessions over the course of the intervention. At the completion of the sessions, everyone will take a break for water and review the walk. After the second group session of each week, participants will receive weekly progress reports of their steps and minutes spent walking the prior week (obtained from Fitbit devices). During this session, participants will also set individual goals for the upcoming week for both their "intensity walks" and total steps per day. Participants randomly assigned to Fitbit Alone will be given a Fitbit and shown how to use it by study staff. Participants will also be given information on current recommended physical activity guidelines (150 min/week of moderate intensity exercise) and will be told that study staff may be contacting them on a weekly basis (or shorter, if necessary) if it looks like participants are not wearing their Fitbit for a certain number of days (e.g. 3 consecutive days) or to troubleshoot any issues. If necessary, participants might be invited to meet with research staff to get assistance on any Fitibit or exercise-related issues.
Purpose: To develop and test the feasibility of an exercise intervention that combines group walking, activity tracking, and heart rate monitoring, and determine the effectiveness of this intervention on the physical and mental health for individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Participants: 14 individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Procedures (methods): During the baseline assessment, subjects will be provided with a Fitbit wristband and instructed how to use it. During the first group session, subjects will be taught how to use their heart rate (on the Fitbit) to determine how fast subjects should walk (to achieve the appropriate exercise dosage). Information on proper care, usage, and how to determine the appropriate heart from the watch, which will be used to guide the intensity of the walk will be provided to subjects and reviewed at each group session. For all clinic based group sessions, subjects will arrive at the STEP clinic to meet the entire group and leaders and be reminded of the heart rate (HR) that corresponds with the intensity of that group session. Next, the group will go outside and walk for 30 minutes. At the completion of 30 minutes, everyone will go back into the clinic for water and review of the walk. After the second group session of each week, subjects will receive weekly progress reports of their steps and minutes spent walking the prior week (obtained from Fitbit devices). During this session, subjects will also set individual goals for the upcoming week for both their "intensity walks" and total steps per day.
The purpose of this study is to perform a practice-based research project designed to assess whether cognition and motivated behavior in early psychosis can be addressed as key treatment goals within real-world settings by using a 12-week mobile intervention program. We will recruit participants who are receiving care for early psychosis from clinics across the United States. We will compare outcomes from participants who receive treatment at coordinated specialty care (CSC) early psychosis clinics to those that receive standard community care. A qualifying CSC program will provide comprehensive clinical services such as psychotherapy, medication management, psychoeducation, and work or education support. This study will be conducted remotely, and participants can participate at home with their own electronic devices. The aim of this study is to investigate a well-defined 12-week mobile intervention program specifically designed to target cognitive functioning and motivated behavior for individuals with early psychosis. Participants will complete a screening interview which will include diagnosis and symptom ratings, neurocognitive assessment, and self-reports of symptoms, behavior, and functioning. Then participants will be randomized to receive the 12-week mobile intervention, or an active control of treatment as usual. The investigators will test for differences in the clinical trajectories after training, and at two follow up appointments at 6 and 12 months post-training.