Advancing Family Wellbeing Through a Massive Open Online Intervention: The LightBEAM Program
2 other identifiers
interventional
202
1 country
1
Brief Summary
Early childhood is a critical period for developmental outcomes, and the parent-child relationship plays a vital role in shaping cognitive and social development. However, elevated parental distress (e.g., depression, anxiety, anger) can disrupt healthy relationships, increasing the risk of negative child outcomes such as difficult temperaments, altered cognitive development, and socio-emotional challenges. Despite the well-documented effects of untreated parental distress, Canadian families face significant barriers to accessing timely and effective mental health support. To address this gap, our team developed BEAM, an app-based program that provides parenting and mental health resources. BEAM includes expert-led videos, online forums, progress monitoring, and peer-coaching sessions. Clinical trials to date evaluating BEAM have shown promising results, demonstrating reductions in parent depression, anxiety, and harsh parenting practices. Building on BEAM's success, we have developed the LightBEAM program, which aims to expand these supports into a scalable, accessible, massive online open intervention (MOOI) to reach a larger number of families across Canada, particularly in underserved areas or those on waitlists for individualized services. LightBEAM has the potential to support parental mental health, fostering healthier child and family development while addressing barriers to traditional mental health care. This trial involves a pre-post randomized trial design with primary aims of (1) assessing feasibility and acceptability metrics of LightBEAM including recruitment/retention, sustainability, satisfaction, and unmet needs, (2) examining the efficacy of LightBEAM versus waitlist control at improving family and mental health outcomes, and (3) determine for whom LightBEAM is more or less effective at engaging with and addressing mental health needs. This trial will evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of LightBEAM with a sample of up to 300 parent participants with a child aged 18-107 months. Co-parents of parent participants are permitted to participate in the study as well but are not included in this sample of 300 parent participants. Study participants will complete 12 weeks of psychoeducation modules in the BEAM app. The LightBEAM program will consist of four different components; weekly parenting and mental health videos, weekly progress tracking, a group forum, and exercises designed to reinforce skills learned through the video content. Assessments of parent and child symptoms will occur at pre-test before LightBEAM begins (T1), immediately after the last week of the LightBEAM intervention (post-test, T2), and 6-month follow-up (T3). The LightBEAM program offers a promising solution to addressing elevated parental mental health symptoms, parenting stress, and related metrics of child well-being. By adapting BEAM, an evidence-based parenting and mental health app, into LightBEAM, a large-scale online intervention, the present trial aims to provide accessible mental health support for Canadian families. LightBEAM could reach families in remote areas with limited services, offer interim support during waitlists, or function as a self-referral program.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for not_applicable
Started Feb 2025
Typical duration for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
February 14, 2025
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
June 10, 2025
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
June 18, 2025
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
September 1, 2027
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
December 1, 2027
May 26, 2026
May 1, 2026
2.5 years
June 10, 2025
May 20, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (2)
Change in parent mental health symptom composite.
The parent mental health composite score will be defined uniquely for each participant using a weighted average of their pre-intervention (T1) mental health profile (i.e., self-report symptoms of depression, anxiety, anger, sleep problems, and parenting stress). Pre-intervention symptoms above established clinical cut-offs will be mean-centred, standardized, and included in the participant's composite mental health symptom score weighted by the symptom's pre-intervention severity. In this way, the primary outcome will track mean change in each participant's most clinically elevated pre-intervention symptoms. This composite will use validated measures of depression symptom severity (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety symptom severity (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), anger (PROMIS Anger), sleep disturbances (PROMIS Sleep Disturbance), and parenting stress (Parenting Stress Index - 4th Edition - Short Form). Change in each measure is also a secondary outcome, described below.
All measures to be assessed pre-intervention (T1), immediately after intervention (T2), at 6-month follow-up (T3).
Feasibility and Acceptability of LightBEAM program.
Acceptability and uptake of the LightBEAM program will be assessed in three ways: (1) rates of attrition, (2) qualitative analysis of responses to post-intervention focus group questions that probe barriers and facilitators to program engagement, and (3) program engagement measures from back-end app data (e.g., number of logins, time spent on the app, forum posts, number of videos watched).
To be assessed pre-intervention (T1), during intervention, and immediately after intervention (T2).
Secondary Outcomes (16)
Change in parent depressive symptoms.
To be assessed pre-intervention (T1), immediately after intervention (T2), at 6-month follow-up (T3).
Change in parent anxiety symptoms.
To be assessed pre-intervention (T1), immediately after intervention (T2), at 6-month follow-up (T3).
Change in parent anger symptoms.
To be assessed pre-intervention (T1), immediately after intervention (T2), at 6-month follow-up (T3).
Change in parent self-compassion.
To be assessed pre-intervention (T1), immediately after intervention (T2), at 6-month follow-up (T3).
Changes in parent sleep problems.
To be assessed pre-intervention (T1), immediately after intervention (T2), at 6-month follow-up (T3).
- +11 more secondary outcomes
Study Arms (2)
The LightBEAM Program Group
EXPERIMENTALParticipants will complete 12 weeks of the LightBEAM program. Participants will be instructed to move through the weekly videos and practice exercises at a self-guided pace. Each week of LightBEAM includes: (a) 12-16 minutes of therapeutic mental health and parenting video content, (b) exercises to practice key skills, (c) access to the online forum to cultivate social support through interaction with other parents and peer coaches, and (d) a brief in-app survey for progress monitoring.
Waitlist Control Group
NO INTERVENTIONParticipants in the waitlist control group will be informed via email that they have been assigned to the waitlist condition. Along with this notification, they will receive a list of Canada-wide mental health and parenting resources, which they may choose to access at their discretion. Participants will be instructed to continue with any existing services or support they are utilizing as usual during the wait period. Following the completion of the wait period, participants will be notified and provided access to begin the 12-week LightBEAM program. Once enrolled in LightBEAM participants will complete 12 weeks of the LightBEAM program.
Interventions
The LightBEAM Program builds on mHealth best practices and evidence-based program design principles with the core objectives of improving parental mental health and fostering supportive parenting. Program content draws on transdiagnostic emotion-focused mental health and third wave Cognitive Behavioural Therapy principles such as Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Program delivery will be facilitated through a mobile application. The LightBEAM program consists of four different components; weekly parenting and mental health videos, weekly progress tracking, a group forum, and exercises designed to reinforce skills learned through the video content.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- identify as a primary caregiver of any gender to an 18- to 107-month-old child
- reside in Canada with access to internet connection
- be aged 18 years or older
- able to understand/read/speak in English
- report at least mild emotional distress across depression, anxiety, anger, or parenting stress symptoms as assessed by the PHQ-9, GAD-7, PROMIS-Anger, and PSI
- have access to an electronic device
You may not qualify if:
- below the age of 18 years
- parenting a child outside the designated age range
- live outside Canada
- have participated in previous iterations of BEAM
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Related Publications (9)
Sitka M, Simpson KM, Paton A, MacKinnon A, Afifi TO, Cameron EE, Hai T, Stewart-Tufescu A, Gonzalez A, Toombs E, Unger JA, Giuliano R, Mushquash A, Archibald M, Tomfohr-Madsen L, Roos LE. Advancing family wellbeing through a Massive Online Open Intervention: the LightBEAM program protocol for randomized waitlist control trial 1a. BMC Psychol. 2026 Feb 2;14(1):293. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-03326-3.
PMID: 41629989BACKGROUNDMuñoz, R. F., Bunge, E. L., Chen, K., Schueller, S. M., Bravin, J. I., Shaughnessy, E. A., & Pérez-Stable, E. J. (2016). Massive open online interventions: A novel model for delivering behavioral-health services worldwide. Clinical Psychological Science, 4(2), 194-205. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702615601185
BACKGROUNDLetourneau NL, Dennis CL, Benzies K, Duffett-Leger L, Stewart M, Tryphonopoulos PD, Este D, Watson W. Postpartum depression is a family affair: addressing the impact on mothers, fathers, and children. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2012 Jul;33(7):445-57. doi: 10.3109/01612840.2012.673054.
PMID: 22757597BACKGROUNDKeller PS, Kouros CD, Erath SA, Dahl RE, El-Sheikh M. Longitudinal relations between maternal depressive symptoms and child sleep problems: the role of parasympathetic nervous system reactivity. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2014;55(2):172-9. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12151. Epub 2013 Oct 9.
PMID: 24117807BACKGROUNDHammen, C. (2002). Context of stress in families of children with depressed parents. In Children of depressed parents: Mechanisms of risk and implications for treatment (pp. 175-199). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10449-007
BACKGROUNDGiannakopoulos G, Solantaus T, Tzavara C, Kolaitis G. Mental health promotion and prevention interventions in families with parental depression: A randomized controlled trial. J Affect Disord. 2021 Jan 1;278:114-121. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.09.070. Epub 2020 Sep 15.
PMID: 32956960BACKGROUNDJoyce KM, Rioux C, MacKinnon AL, Katz LY, Reynolds K, Kelly LE, Klassen T, Afifi TO, Mushquash AR, Clement FM, Chartier M, Xie EB, Penner KE, Hunter S, Berard L, Tomfohr-Madsen L, Roos LE. The Building Emotional Awareness and Mental health (BEAM) program developed with a community partner for mothers of infants: protocol for a feasibility randomized controlled trial. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2023 Mar 9;9(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s40814-023-01260-y.
PMID: 36895006BACKGROUNDXie EB, Simpson KM, Reynolds KA, Giuliano RJ, Protudjer JLP, Soderstrom M, Sauer-Zavala S, Giesbrecht GF, Lebel C, Mackinnon AL, Rioux C, Penner-Goeke L, Freeman M, Salisbury MR, Tomfohr-Madsen L, Roos LE. Building Emotional Awareness and Mental Health (BEAM): study protocol for a phase III randomized controlled trial of the BEAM app-based program for mothers of children 18-36 months. Trials. 2022 Sep 5;23(1):741. doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06512-5.
PMID: 36064436BACKGROUNDMacKinnon AL, Simpson KM, Salisbury MR, Bobula J, Penner-Goeke L, Berard L, Rioux C, Giesbrecht GF, Giuliano R, Lebel C, Protudjer JLP, Reynolds K, Sauer-Zavala S, Soderstrom M, Tomfohr-Madsen LM, Roos LE. Building Emotional Awareness and Mental Health (BEAM): A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of an App-Based Program for Mothers of Toddlers. Front Psychiatry. 2022 Jun 24;13:880972. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.880972. eCollection 2022.
PMID: 35815022BACKGROUND
Related Links
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- NONE
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Associate Professor
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
June 10, 2025
First Posted
June 18, 2025
Study Start
February 14, 2025
Primary Completion (Estimated)
September 1, 2027
Study Completion (Estimated)
December 1, 2027
Last Updated
May 26, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-05
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share
Summary statistics (e.g., questionnaire subscales, sociodemographics, aggregated forum usage data) paired with non-identifiable participant IDs may be shared on data repositories such as the Open Science Framework.