Computer-aided learning for managing stress: A feasibility trial with clinical high risk adolescents and young adults

Authors

Kristen A. Woodberry, Maine Medical Center
Cole Chokran, Public Psychiatry Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Kelsey A. Johnson, Public Psychiatry Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Keith H. Nuechterlein, Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
David J. Miklowitz, Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Stephen V. Faraone, Departments of Psychiatry and of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA.
Larry J. Seidman, Public Psychiatry Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2021

Institution/Department

Psychiatry; Pediatrics

Journal Title

Early intervention in psychiatry

MeSH Headings

Adolescent; Adult; Child; Computers; Family Therapy; Feasibility Studies; Humans; Parents; Psychotic Disorders (therapy); Young Adult

Abstract

AIM: The peak onset of psychotic disorders occurs during adolescence and early adulthood, yet treatments for youth at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis are generally designed for adults. CHR youth, despite poor academic and social engagement, spend hours each day playing complicated videogames. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of integrating biofeedback and cooperative videogame play within family therapy as a means of engaging and enhancing this population's resilience. METHODS: We conducted a feasibility trial of an innovative 12-week family therapy for CHR ages 12-30 (clinicaltrials.gov NCT02531243). We report feasibility outcomes and preliminary effect sizes for pre-post changes and youth-parent differences. RESULTS: Of 88 individuals referred to the centre who met age and CHR criteria, 11 (13%) youth-parent pairs met full criteria and engaged in treatment. Ten (91%) completed at least six sessions. Youth found CALMS initially credible, but parents tended to find it more credible and to be more satisfied over time. Surprisingly, parents reported a better game experience than youth. As a group, youth and parent participants reported experiencing reduced stress and perceiving each other as less critical by the end of treatment. Youth were rated as having significantly improved social, but not role or global functioning by the end of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Multiuser videogames may have a role to play in engaging youth at risk for psychosis in therapy and reducing stress and familial risk factors. A number of key developments are needed to enhance the appeal, effectiveness and practicality of this approach.

First Page

471

Last Page

479

Recommended Citation

Woodberry KA, Chokran C, Johnson KA, et al. Computer-aided learning for managing stress: A feasibility trial with clinical high risk adolescents and young adults. Early Interv Psychiatry. 2021;15(3):471-479. doi:10.1111/eip.12958