NCT00943085

Brief Summary

This study will test a family-based therapy aimed at preventing or reducing the symptoms of bipolar disorder in at-risk children.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
52

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Apr 2007

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

April 1, 2007

Completed
2.3 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

July 20, 2009

Completed
1 day until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

July 21, 2009

Completed
1 year until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

August 1, 2010

Completed
1 year until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

August 1, 2011

Completed
Last Updated

March 26, 2014

Status Verified

March 1, 2014

Enrollment Period

3.3 years

First QC Date

July 20, 2009

Last Update Submit

March 24, 2014

Conditions

Keywords

Early Signs of Bipolar DisorderHigh Risk YouthAdolescenceChildhood

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Changes in symptoms and functioning of at-risk children, as defined by depression and mania scores and psychiatric status on the Adolescent Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation (A-LIFE)

    Measured every 4 months for 1 year

Secondary Outcomes (4)

  • Delayed onset of first manic, mixed, or hypomanic episode, measured on the A-LIFE

    Measured every 4 months for 1 year

  • Scores on the Child Depression Rating Scale

    Measured every 4 months for 1 year

  • Scores on the Young Mania Rating Scale

    Measured every 4 months for 1 year

  • Parental mood and distress, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory, Symptom Checklist

    Measured every 4 months for 1 year

Study Arms (2)

Family-focused therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive family-focused therapy.

Behavioral: Family-focused therapy

Brief educational treatment

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive one session of diagnostic feedback, recommendations for continued treatment, and crisis intervention as needed.

Behavioral: Brief educational treatment

Interventions

12 therapy sessions involving the at-risk child or adolescent, parents, and available siblings. Therapy will include psychoeducation about mood disorders, communication enhancement training, and problem-solving skills training. Ongoing medication management from a study psychiatrist will be available.

Also known as: FFT, Family Therapy, Psychoeducation, Psychosocial Intervention, Psychotherapy, Behavior Therapy
Family-focused therapy

Thorough diagnostic assessment by a study evaluator, separate evaluation by a child psychiatrist, feedback session with parents and child, and provision of reading materials pertinent to managing childhood mood disorders. Ongoing medication management and crisis-oriented family sessions will be available as needed.

Also known as: Psychoeducation, Crisis Management, Enhanced Care, Diagnostic Evaluation
Brief educational treatment

Eligibility Criteria

Age9 Years - 17 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17)

You may qualify if:

  • Has at least one biological parent or stepparent with whom the child or adolescent participant lives and who is willing to participate in family treatment
  • Has a DSM-IV diagnosis of at least one of the following within the past 2 years : bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (BD-NOS), major depressive disorder (MDD), or cyclothymia
  • If the main diagnosis is MDD, the depressive episode must have occurred within the past 2 years
  • Has evidence of current significant affective symptoms, as determined by a score greater than 11 on the Young Mania Rating Scale within the last week or a score greater than 29 on the Child Depression Rating Scale-Revised within the last 2 weeks
  • Not currently enrolled in family or marital therapy
  • Has at least one biological parent or sibling with a verifiable diagnosis of bipolar disorder I or II
  • Speaks English

You may not qualify if:

  • Fully diagnosable bipolar disorder I or II
  • Diagnosis of autism or pervasive developmental disorder
  • Evidence of mental retardation, as defined by an intelligence quotient (IQ) less than 70
  • Presence of comorbid neurologic diseases such as seizure disorder
  • Substance or alcohol abuse or dependence disorders in the 4 months prior to study recruitment
  • Evidence of a life-threatening eating disorder or other medical disorder that requires emergency medical treatment
  • Has previously been treated with family-focused therapy
  • Evidence of current sexual or physical abuse or domestic abuse between the adult partners

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

Stanford University School of Medicine, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital

Stanford, California, 94304, United States

Location

University of Colorado, Boulder

Boulder, Colorado, 80309-0345, United States

Location

Related Publications (4)

  • Miklowitz DJ, Chang KD. Prevention of bipolar disorder in at-risk children: theoretical assumptions and empirical foundations. Dev Psychopathol. 2008 Summer;20(3):881-97. doi: 10.1017/S0954579408000424.

    PMID: 18606036BACKGROUND
  • Chang K, Howe M, Gallelli K, Miklowitz D. Prevention of pediatric bipolar disorder: integration of neurobiological and psychosocial processes. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2006 Dec;1094:235-47. doi: 10.1196/annals.1376.026.

    PMID: 17347355BACKGROUND
  • Miklowitz DJ, Schneck CD, Singh MK, Taylor DO, George EL, Cosgrove VE, Howe ME, Dickinson LM, Garber J, Chang KD. Early intervention for symptomatic youth at risk for bipolar disorder: a randomized trial of family-focused therapy. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013 Feb;52(2):121-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2012.10.007. Epub 2013 Jan 2.

  • Schneck CD, Chang KD, Singh MK, DelBello MP, Miklowitz DJ. A Pharmacologic Algorithm for Youth Who Are at High Risk for Bipolar Disorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2017 Nov;27(9):796-805. doi: 10.1089/cap.2017.0035. Epub 2017 Jul 21.

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Bipolar Disorder

Interventions

Family TherapyPsychosocial InterventionPsychotherapyBehavior TherapyCrew Resource Management, HealthcareDiagnostic Self Evaluation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Bipolar and Related DisordersMood DisordersMental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Psychotherapy, GroupSocioenvironmental TherapyBehavioral Disciplines and ActivitiesPatient Care ManagementHealth Services AdministrationDiagnostic Techniques and ProceduresDiagnosis

Study Officials

  • David J. Miklowitz, PhD

    University of Colorado, Boulder

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor of Psychiatry

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

July 20, 2009

First Posted

July 21, 2009

Study Start

April 1, 2007

Primary Completion

August 1, 2010

Study Completion

August 1, 2011

Last Updated

March 26, 2014

Record last verified: 2014-03

Locations