Implementing and Evaluating an Internet-based Cognitive Behavior Therapy Intervention in School Settings

A Feasibility Study for Implementing and Evaluating an Internet-based Cognitive Behavior Therapy Intervention in School Settings and Its Impact on Adolescent Mental and Behavioral Health

This research study examines rural youth's experience of an internet based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention, and their experience of symptoms of depression, anxiety and co-occurring disorders.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Depression Anxiety and Co-occurring Rural Youth
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: internet based iCBT program, Youth Thrive

Detailed Description

In the United States, and rural Montana, a substantial health disparity exists for rural youths' mental health and mental health care access. In 2017, nearly a third of all Montana high school students reported being impacted by depression; 21% considered suicide compared to 17% nationally. Over 30% of Montana adolescents indicated drinking alcohol and 20% indicated using marijuana. Rural Montanans face enormous barriers to behavioral health care including low mental health care provider coverage, long distances to adequate care, and stigma. We have developed a culturally and developmentally appropriate Internet-based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (iCBT) program designed to teach skills that address mental and behavioral health challenges common to adolescents. Building on previous development and evaluation of an adult version of iCBT (Thrive), the investigators propose to pilot the newly developed youth version of Thrive (Y-T), a fully automated stand-alone program. Y-T will deliver CBT skills through educational, real life adolescent scenarios, and tailored feedback videos to address symptoms of depression, anxiety and co-occurring (addiction) behaviors. The investigators intend to conduct feasibility analyses of pilot study implementation in school communities. The investigators will document and assess organization-level facilitators and barriers that impact the study processes at each study site. Short-term goal for this research are to understand how to effectively conduct trials within school community settings and to obtain preliminary information on the acceptability and effectiveness of the Y-T program to address depression and anxiety symptoms, and addictive behaviors. The investigators will conduct post-intervention focus groups to assess the program as experienced by participants and insight on the extent of program engagement and learning. The investigators hypothesize that those using Y-T over an 8-week period will report markedly decreased scores on anxiety, depression, and addictive behaviors. The long-term goal is to conduct a larger trial of the program to determine the evidence of impact among youth. Provided that this research demonstrates such programs to be evidence-based, the investigators will work on a broader dissemination plan with the ultimate aim of decreasing mental and behavioral health and respective health care disparities among rural youth.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 67
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Montana
    • Bozeman, Montana, United States, 59715
      • Montana State University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 13 years to 19 years (Child, Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• participants are youth enrolled in participating schools
• ages 13 - 18 years old
• have access to electronic device to access iCBT intervention

Exclusion Criteria:

• none.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Other: Youth Thrive iCBT program; Youth Thrive iCBT online program	Other: internet based iCBT program, Youth Thrive; iCBT program is a skills program which teaches assertive communication, constructive thinking and rewarding activities

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Beck's Anxiety Inventory, Youth Version	The inventory measures anxiety symptoms and utilizes T Scores. 52.45 indicates the population mean with a standard deviation of 11.4 55 or less minimal, average symptoms of anxiety 55-59 mild symptoms of anxiety 60-69 moderate symptoms of anxiety 70+ severe symptoms of anxiety	8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Montana State University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Franklin K, Tribbit T. A Feasibility Study for Implementing and Evaluating an Internet-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy Intervention in Rural School Settings and its Impact on Adolescent Mental and Behavioral Health. Chronicle of Rural Education. 2024; 2(1).

Helpful Links

• Link to published article and results

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 17, 2021
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 9, 2021
• Study Completion (Actual): April 9, 2021

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 9, 2021
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 9, 2021
• First Posted (Actual): June 16, 2021

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 25, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 20, 2024
• Last Verified: December 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Behavioral Symptoms; Depression
• Other Study ID Numbers: KF072420

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No