Engaging Families App for Caregiver Support

Overseen By Joanna J Kim, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Arizona State University

Disqualifiers: Decline app download

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

96 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new smartphone app, the Engaging Families home practice app, designed to help caregivers practice skills learned in a family-based program to prevent youth substance use and mental health issues. Researchers aim to determine if caregivers find the app easy and useful for daily use and will compare its impact on skill practice against a standard scheduling app. The trial seeks caregivers who regularly use smartphones, speak English or Spanish, and participate in the family program Bridges, with children aged 11-17. As an unphased trial, this study offers caregivers the chance to contribute to innovative solutions that could enhance family well-being.

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 Engaging Families home practice app is safe for caregivers?

Research has shown that caregiver support apps, such as the Engaging Families home practice app, are generally easy to use. A review of 21 similar apps found that many offer useful features like information, medication reminders, and social networking. These features can simplify life for caregivers without causing major problems.

The Engaging Families app is a digital tool designed to help caregivers practice skills at home. Although still under testing, similar apps have proven to be safe and easy to use. No serious issues have been reported with these types of apps. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Engaging Families App because it offers a fresh approach to caregiver support by utilizing a digital platform specifically designed to assist families in managing caregiving tasks. Unlike traditional methods that might rely on in-person support groups or printed resources, this app provides interactive, real-time support and resources that caregivers can access from the comfort of their homes. This innovative delivery method aims to offer flexibility and convenience, making it easier for caregivers to incorporate support into their busy routines.

What evidence suggests that the Engaging Families app is effective for caregiver support?

Research has shown that digital tools like the Engaging Families app can assist caregivers. A study on similar online or mobile app programs found positive effects for family caregivers, particularly those caring for individuals with dementia. These tools helped caregivers manage tasks and provided support, leading to better outcomes. In this trial, participants will receive either the Engaging Families app or an active control app. Although the Engaging Families app is still under evaluation, it aims to enhance caregiver skills at home, potentially increasing the effectiveness of family-based programs. Overall, digital tools have shown promise in supporting caregivers in their roles. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for caregivers involved in a family-based prevention program aimed at preventing youth substance use and mental illness. It's designed to test if a smartphone app can help them practice intervention skills at home. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, so generally, caregivers participating in the relevant prevention program may be considered.

Inclusion Criteria

Informed consent

Ownership and regular use of a smartphone

Concurrent enrollment in the family-based EBI Bridges

Exclusion Criteria

I choose not to download the study app on my phone.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants use the Engaging Families home practice app or an active control app to support home practice of skills learned in the Bridges program

8 weeks

3 sessions (in-person or virtual)

Post-intervention Assessment

Acceptability and feasibility of the app are assessed using surveys and interviews

2-3 months post baseline

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for continued use and effectiveness of the app

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Engaging Families home practice app

Trial Overview The trial is testing the 'Engaging Families' home practice app against possibly just using a regular scheduling app. The goal is to see if the specialized app helps caregivers more effectively practice skills from their prevention program with their families.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Engaging Families App Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will receive the Engaging Families home practice app

Group II: Active control app Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Arizona State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

311

Recruited

109,000+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A systematic review of 11 studies on mobile applications for informal caregivers found that most apps were designed with caregivers' needs in mind, offering features like educational resources and well-being assessments.

The effectiveness of these mobile applications in alleviating caregiver burden is closely linked to how well they align with the specific needs of users, although the overall quality of evidence supporting their efficacy is currently low.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile Apps for Helping Informal Caregivers: A Systematic Review. Sala-González, M., Pérez-Jover, V., Guilabert, M., et al.[2021]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06907966

Digital Support Strategies for Caregiver Home Practice This project is a pilot trial of the Engaging Families home practice smartphone application (or "app") as an add on to a family-based prevention program.

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11311318/

Effectiveness of Internet-Based or Mobile App Interventions ... This study evaluated the effectiveness of internet-based or mobile app interventions for family caregivers of older adults with dementia.

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-acceptability-2-2025-07869

Engaging Families App for Caregiver Support This project is a pilot trial of the Engaging Families home practice smartphone application (or "app") as an add on to a family-based prevention program.

4. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/296494/digital-support-strategies-for-caregiver-home-practice/

Digital Support Strategies for Caregiver Home Practice This project is a pilot trial of the Engaging Families home practice smartphone application (or "app") as an add on to a family-based prevention ...

5. agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com agsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jgs.19332?af=R

Family Caregiver Support Apps: Questionable Evidence ... Many apps lacked data security or any kind of evidence on effectiveness. For example, one caregiver support app included the ability to input ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12100696/

Family Caregiver Support Apps: Questionable Evidence ... We reviewed 21 caregiver apps and found 57% (12/21) included informational resources, medication reminders, shared calendars or social networking opportunities.

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06463158

The Impact of the Family Room App on Caregivers The Family Room is a point of care tool that guides families on how to contribute to patient care by providing real time education, a sense of connection, ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12223452/

Perspectives and Experiences of Family Caregivers Using ... Supportive mobile apps are effective tools for family caregivers of persons with dementia to obtain online information and psychological support.