Citation

Morthorst B, Rubæk L, Lindschou J, Jakobsen JC, Gluud C, Bjureberg J, Hellner C, Møhl B, Pagsberg AK. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2021; 7(1): e44.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1186/s40814-021-00785-4

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has gained increased attention in recent years due to increased prevalence, especially among adolescents. Evidence-based interventions for NSSI are sparse. Emotion regulation individual therapy for adolescents (ERITA) is an online intervention that needs investigation. Non-randomised studies suggest ERITA improves emotion regulations skills and reduces NSSI frequency. Before conducting a large pragmatic randomised clinical trial, we aim to investigate the feasibility of ERITA in Denmark.

METHODS: A randomised, parallel group feasibility trial comparing ERITA as add on to treatment as usual versus treatment as usual in 30 adolescents age 13-17 years with recurrent NSSI referred to outpatient clinics in The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark. Feasibility outcomes are (1) completion of follow-up, (2) the fraction of eligible participants who consent to inclusion and randomisation and (3) compliance with the intervention. Clinical outcomes such as self-injury frequency and the ability to regulate emotions will be investigated exploratorily.

DISCUSSION: Internet-based interventions are assumed to be appealing to adolescents by being easily accessible and easy to navigate by tech natives. Disclosure of self-injury behaviour may be facilitated by an online intervention. The evidence for self-injury specific treatment needs to be extended but prior to a large clinical trial, the feasibility of methods and procedures must be assessed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.Gov Identifier: NCT04243603.

Language: en

Keywords

Non-suicidal self-injury; Emotion regulation individual therapy for adolescents (ERITA); Internet-based intervention; Randomised feasibility trial