OSCAR - An Internet-based Supportive Coaching for Informal Caregivers of Adult Individuals With an Acquired Brain Injury

July 22, 2015 updated by: University of Bern

OSCAR - An Internet-based Supportive Coaching for Informal Caregivers of Adult Individuals With an Acquired Brain Injury.

This is an intervention study for informal caregivers of adult patients with an acquired brain injury (stroke, traumatic brain injury or cerebral haemorrhage). It will determine whether an internet-based supportive coaching offers benefits to the caregivers in their own process of coping in the aftermath of a brain injury of a close relative. We expect the internet-based supportive coaching to be more effective in the treatment of emotional distress reactions and caregiver burden than the treatment as usual.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Terminated

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Background

A brain injury (e.g. stroke, traumatic brain injury) occurs all of a sudden and is often followed by complex neurological and psychological consequences. These consequences do not only affect the patients with the brain injury as Muriel Lezak already stated in 1988: "Brain damage is a family affair". Symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as an increased caregiver burden are common, but there is still a lack in randomized controlled trials that investigate the efficacy of multicomponent interventions for informal caregivers. The main aim of the current study is to close this scientific gap with an innovative method for this special population. OSCAR (the Internet-based supportive coaching) uses the Internet as a communication- and information brokering medium and is designed as a "guided-self-help tool" where a qualified therapist individually supports every participant. The key objective is to investigate the feasibility, acceptance and efficacy of an Internet-based supportive coaching (OSCAR) for informal caregivers of adult individuals with an acquired brain injury. It is expected that the Internet-based supportive coaching (OSCAR) leads to a better coping of emotional distress reactions and caregiver burden.

Objective

A key objective is to investigate the feasibility, acceptance and efficacy of an Internet-based supportive coaching (OSCAR) for informal caregivers of adult individuals with an acquired brain injury.

Methods

To one part, OSCAR is part of a randomized controlled intervention study where a standard neuropsychological therapy is compared with an integrative neuro-psychotherapy. The Internet-based supportive coaching (OSCAR) for the caregivers is part of the integrative neuro-psychotherapy arm.

Additionally a randomized controlled intervention study with a waiting list-control-group design is realised.

Assessments will be made at baseline, after 4 months (progress), after ending with the training (termination) and at 6 months post treatment (follow-up).

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
40

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Switzerland
      • Bern, Switzerland, 3012
        • Dep. of clinical psychology and psychotherapy, University of Berne

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.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Family caregiver of an adult with a stroke, cerebral haemorrhage or traumatic brain injury
  • sufficient German language skills
  • at least 3 months after the brain injury
  • access to a computer with internet access
  • minimum age of 18 years
  • informed consent to participate voluntarily in the study

Exclusion Criteria

  • acute suicidal tendency

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE
  • Allocation: RANDOMIZED
  • Interventional Model: PARALLEL
  • Masking: NONE

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
EXPERIMENTAL: Internet-based supportive coaching OSCAR
Arm 1: Internet-based supportive coaching OSCAR
Behavioral: Internet-based supportive coaching OSCAR
The Internet-based supportive coaching (OSCAR) is an scientifically based multicomponent intervention
OTHER: Waiting list control group (treatment as usual, TAU)
Other: Waiting-list control group (TAU)
Waiting-list control group (treatment as usual, TAU, no specific intervention)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
German Zarit Burden Interview (G-ZBI)
Time Frame: Baseline
The German Zarit Burden Interview (G-ZBI) is based on the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the most widely used measure to assess caregiver burden. The 22 Items ask for the strain caregivers perceive (e.g., "Do you feel that your social life has suffered because you are caring for your relative?"). Responses range from 0 (never) to 4 (nearly always), the maximum score being 88. The higher the total score, the heavier the perceived burden.
Baseline
German Zarit Burden Interview (G-ZBI)
Time Frame: 4 months after baseline
The German Zarit Burden Interview (G-ZBI) is based on the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the most widely used measure to assess caregiver burden. The 22 Items ask for the strain caregivers perceive (e.g., "Do you feel that your social life has suffered because you are caring for your relative?"). Responses range from 0 (never) to 4 (nearly always), the maximum score being 88. The higher the total score, the heavier the perceived burden.
4 months after baseline
German Zarit Burden Interview (G-ZBI)
Time Frame: 8 months after baseline
The German Zarit Burden Interview (G-ZBI) is based on the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the most widely used measure to assess caregiver burden. The 22 Items ask for the strain caregivers perceive (e.g., "Do you feel that your social life has suffered because you are caring for your relative?"). Responses range from 0 (never) to 4 (nearly always), the maximum score being 88. The higher the total score, the heavier the perceived burden.
8 months after baseline
German Zarit Burden Interview (G-ZBI)
Time Frame: 14 months after baseline (follow-up)
The German Zarit Burden Interview (G-ZBI) is based on the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), the most widely used measure to assess caregiver burden. The 22 Items ask for the strain caregivers perceive (e.g., "Do you feel that your social life has suffered because you are caring for your relative?"). Responses range from 0 (never) to 4 (nearly always), the maximum score being 88. The higher the total score, the heavier the perceived burden.
14 months after baseline (follow-up)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II)
Time Frame: Baseline
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) is the 1996 revision of the BDI created by Dr. Aaron T. Beck, which is one of the most widely used self-report questionnaires measuring the severity of depression. The 21 multiple-choice items address the severity of 21 typical symptoms of depression over the past two weeks. The higher the total score, the more severe the depression.
Baseline
Quality of life measured by the WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF)
Time Frame: Baseline
The WHOQOL-BREF self-report questionnaire is the abbreviated 26-item version of the WHOQOL-100. It assesses the perceived quality of life (e.g. "To what extent do you feel your life to be meaningful?"). Quality of life is defined by the WHO as "…individuals' perceptions of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns."
Baseline
Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ20)
Time Frame: Baseline
The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ20) is the abbreviated 20-item version of the PSQ (Levenstein et al., 1993) and assesses self-reported experienced stress.
Baseline
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II)
Time Frame: 4 months after baseline
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) is the 1996 revision of the BDI created by Dr. Aaron T. Beck, which is one of the most widely used self-report questionnaires measuring the severity of depression. The 21 multiple-choice items address the severity of 21 typical symptoms of depression over the past two weeks. The higher the total score, the more severe the depression.
4 months after baseline
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II)
Time Frame: 8 months after baseline
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) is the 1996 revision of the BDI created by Dr. Aaron T. Beck, which is one of the most widely used self-report questionnaires measuring the severity of depression. The 21 multiple-choice items address the severity of 21 typical symptoms of depression over the past two weeks. The higher the total score, the more severe the depression.
8 months after baseline
Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II)
Time Frame: 14 months after baseline (follow-up)
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) is the 1996 revision of the BDI created by Dr. Aaron T. Beck, which is one of the most widely used self-report questionnaires measuring the severity of depression. The 21 multiple-choice items address the severity of 21 typical symptoms of depression over the past two weeks. The higher the total score, the more severe the depression.
14 months after baseline (follow-up)
Quality of life measured by the WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF)
Time Frame: 4 months after baseline
The WHOQOL-BREF self-report questionnaire is the abbreviated 26-item version of the WHOQOL-100. It assesses the perceived quality of life (e.g. "To what extent do you feel your life to be meaningful?"). Quality of life is defined by the WHO as "…individuals' perceptions of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns."
4 months after baseline
Quality of life measured by the WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF)
Time Frame: 8 months after baseline
The WHOQOL-BREF self-report questionnaire is the abbreviated 26-item version of the WHOQOL-100. It assesses the perceived quality of life (e.g. "To what extent do you feel your life to be meaningful?"). Quality of life is defined by the WHO as "…individuals' perceptions of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns."
8 months after baseline
Quality of life measured by the WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF)
Time Frame: 14 months after baseline (follow-up)
The WHOQOL-BREF self-report questionnaire is the abbreviated 26-item version of the WHOQOL-100. It assesses the perceived quality of life (e.g. "To what extent do you feel your life to be meaningful?"). Quality of life is defined by the WHO as "…individuals' perceptions of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns."
14 months after baseline (follow-up)
Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ20)
Time Frame: 4 months after baseline
The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ20) is the abbreviated 20-item version of the PSQ (Levenstein et al., 1993) and assesses self-reported experienced stress.
4 months after baseline
Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ20)
Time Frame: 8 months after baseline
The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ20) is the abbreviated 20-item version of the PSQ (Levenstein et al., 1993) and assesses self-reported experienced stress.
8 months after baseline
Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ20)
Time Frame: 14 months after baseline (follow-up)
The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ20) is the abbreviated 20-item version of the PSQ (Levenstein et al., 1993) and assesses self-reported experienced stress.
14 months after baseline (follow-up)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Bern

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
University Hospital Inselspital, Berne
Swiss National Science Foundation

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Chair: Hansjoerg Znoj, Prof. Dr. phil., Dep. of clinical psychology and psychotherapy, University of Berne
  • Principal Investigator: Eveline Frischknecht, lic. phil., Dep. of clinical psychology and psychotherapy, University of Berne

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
January 1, 2010

Primary Completion (ACTUAL)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
August 1, 2012

Study Completion (ACTUAL)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
March 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 5, 2010

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 28, 2010

First Posted (ESTIMATE)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
April 29, 2010

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (ESTIMATE)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
July 23, 2015

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 22, 2015

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
July 1, 2015

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • OSCAR
  • SNF-100014-124574, 2009-2012
  • 1784 -Bern University Hospital

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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