An internet-based emotion regulation intervention versus no intervention for nonsuicidal self-injury in adolescents: study protocol for a feasibility trial

• Published in: Pilot and feasibility studies 2021-02, Vol.7 (1), p.44-44, Article 44
• Main Authors: Morthorst, Britt, Rubæk, Lotte, Lindschou, Jane, Jakobsen, Janus Christian, Gluud, Christian, Bjureberg, Johan, Hellner, Clara, Møhl, Bo, Pagsberg, Anne Katrine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Behavior modification; Child & adolescent mental health; Child development; Children; Children & youth; Clinical trials; Clinics; Emotion regulation individual therapy for adolescents (ERITA); Evidence-based medicine; Families & family life; Feasibility studies; Group therapy; Informed consent; Injuries; Internet; Internet-based intervention; Intervention; Laws, regulations and rules; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Non-suicidal self-injury; Parents & parenting; Peers; Product development; Psychiatric services; Randomised feasibility trial; Self destructive behavior; Study Protocol; Systematic review; Teenagers
• ISSN: 2055-5784; 2055-5784
• DOI: 10.1186/s40814-021-00785-4

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. 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. 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. ClinicalTrials.Gov Identifier: NCT04243603 .