APPS Intervention for Domestic Violence Prevention

(APPS Trial)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Davis

Disqualifiers: Felonies, Violent misdemeanors, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if a program called APPS, a preventive intervention, can help prevent future violence among individuals who previously owned guns legally but are now prohibited due to certain legal events. The study will compare two groups: one receiving the APPS intervention first and another receiving it later. Individuals who have owned firearms and experienced events like certain criminal convictions or mental health issues may be suitable for this trial. The goal is to assess whether the APPS intervention can significantly reduce the risk of future violent incidents in these communities. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to important research that could lead to safer communities.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the APPS intervention is safe for domestic violence prevention?

Research has shown that mobile apps for preventing domestic violence, such as the APPS intervention, have undergone safety checks. These apps aim to reduce violence and enhance personal safety. Previous studies have evaluated the effectiveness and safety of these app-based tools. Although specific safety details are not always provided, users generally receive these apps well, with no major negative effects reported.

Since this trial does not follow a traditional study phase, there is less direct safety evidence from clinical trials. However, similar apps have been used without significant safety issues. These apps often assist users in making safe decisions and planning for their safety. Overall, reviews of similar technologies suggest that app-based interventions like APPS are safe for users. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the APPS intervention for domestic violence prevention because it takes a proactive approach by focusing on community implementation. Unlike traditional methods that often react to incidents of domestic violence, the APPS intervention aims to prevent violence by engaging communities in both Group 1 and Group 2 sequentially, promoting a broader cultural shift. This approach is distinctive because it leverages community involvement to create a sustainable, long-term impact, rather than relying solely on individual counseling or legal actions. By implementing the intervention in stages, researchers hope to better understand the dynamics of community engagement and its effectiveness in reducing domestic violence.

What evidence suggests that the APPS intervention is effective for domestic violence prevention?

Research has shown that digital tools, such as the APPS intervention studied in this trial, can help prevent violence. Studies have found these apps useful for personal safety and can lower the risk of intimate partner violence (IPV). For example, one study found that users of these apps improved their safety planning and readiness. Additionally, technology-based tools have been linked to reduced rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD among users. Overall, digital tools prove effective in supporting efforts to prevent violence. ^{1 3 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Garen J Wintemute, MD, MPH

Principal Investigator

University of California, Davis

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults in California who previously bought firearms legally but can't own them anymore due to certain events like felony convictions, violent misdemeanors, mental illness-related hospitalizations, or being under a domestic violence restraining order.

Inclusion Criteria

I own a firearm and have had a legal issue that prohibits me from owning it.

Exclusion Criteria

Not applicable.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention Implementation

APPS intervention is implemented in randomized communities to identify and recover firearms from prohibited individuals

Up to 3 years

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for outcomes such as arrests, restraining orders, and hospitalizations

Up to 3 years

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• APPS intervention

Trial Overview The study is testing the impact of California's Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS), which aims to reduce future violence by preventing individuals with prohibiting events from owning firearms.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Group 1 Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

APPS intervention will be implemented in Group 1 communities prior to implementation in Group 2 communities.

Group II: Group 2 Active Control 1 Intervention

APPS intervention will be implemented in Group 2 communities following implementation in Group 1 communities.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Davis

Lead Sponsor

Trials

958

Recruited

4,816,000+

Stanford University

Collaborator

Trials

2,527

Recruited

17,430,000+

Northeastern University

Collaborator

Trials

103

Recruited

72,600+

Rutgers University

Collaborator

Trials

127

Recruited

2,814,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 422 women experiencing intimate partner violence, the online interactive tool I-DECIDE did not significantly improve self-efficacy or reduce depressive symptoms compared to a standard information website over 12 months.

Despite the lack of measurable differences in outcomes, qualitative feedback suggested that participants found the I-DECIDE tool supportive and motivating, indicating potential value in further developing online interventions for this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An online healthy relationship tool and safety decision aid for women experiencing intimate partner violence (I-DECIDE): a randomised controlled trial. Hegarty, K., Tarzia, L., Valpied, J., et al.[2020]

A computerized safety decision aid was tested with 90 abused women in shelters, helping them assess their risk for lethal violence and create personalized safety plans, which they found useful and private.

After using the decision aid, women reported feeling more supported in their safety decisions and experienced significantly less decisional conflict, indicating that the tool effectively improved the safety planning process.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Computerized aid improves safety decision process for survivors of intimate partner violence. Glass, N., Eden, KB., Bloom, T., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12208507/

Mobile Apps to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls ... As a result, mobile apps were found to be useful for women's personal safety, preventing violence, and accessing support [10]. One study ...

2. bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-020-09408-8

Effectiveness of ICT-based intimate partner violence ... The evidence reviewed suggests that ICT-based interventions were effective mainly in screening, disclosure, and prevention.

3. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/369519218_Smartphone_Apps_for_Domestic_Violence_Prevention_A_Systematic_Review

(PDF) Smartphone Apps for Domestic Violence Prevention This study systematically reviewed app-based interventions for domestic violence prevention, which will be helpful for app developers.

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8356356/

Technology‐based and digital interventions for intimate ... Digital interventions may clinically reduce depression, anxiety, PTSD, and IPV victimization. Summary effect sizes ranging from small to large will signal the ...

5. gh.bmj.com gh.bmj.com/content/5/7/e002091

Safety decision-making and planning mobile app for ... Intervention participants demonstrated immediate postintervention improvement in safety preparedness relative to control participants (p=0.001).

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11224144/

Harnessing Health Information Technology in Domestic ... One in three women encounters physical violence from an intimate partner every minute, resulting in approximately 10 million abuse survivors ...

7. bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-13551-9

The use of mobile phone applications to enhance personal ... Systematic searches of available smartphone applications marketed for personal safety and violence prevention on the Apple Store (IOS) and Google Play (Android)