Peer Mentorship for Sickle Cell Disease

Recruiting at 3 trial locations

Overseen By Celia Cassiani, BSc, MSc

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The Hospital for Sick Children

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairments, Major co-morbid illnesses, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 10

Duration: 15 weeks

28 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The iPeer2Peer Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) study matches youth (12-18 years of age) with SCD to a mentor (trained young adult) who has learned to manage their SCD well, transitioned to adult care, and can support youth participants emotionally and socially. Participants will be randomly assigned one of two groups, either (1) The intervention group: Study group participants are matched with a mentor for 15 weeks, and are expected to have up to ten calls with one another; (2) The control group: This study group will be on a 15 week waitlist to receive a mentor. This study will first assess the feasibility of conducting this research with youth with SCD. Also, this study will assess the preliminary effectiveness of peer mentorship by comparing various health outcomes of the two study groups post-intervention.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for English-speaking youths aged 12-18 with Sickle Cell Disease who have internet access and can use Skype. They should be diagnosed by a hematologist and willing to complete online measures. Those with major illnesses or cognitive impairments, or in other peer support programs cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to speak and read English

Diagnosed with SCD by a haematologist

Willing and able to complete online measures.

Exclusion Criteria

You have major problems with thinking, remembering, or making decisions.

You have significant medical or mental health conditions that may affect your quality of life assessment.

You are already participating in other programs that provide support or help manage your condition.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants in the experimental group receive the iPeer2Peer mentorship program for 15 weeks, involving up to ten Skype calls with a mentor.

15 weeks

Up to 10 virtual visits (Skype calls)

Waitlist Control

Control group participants are on a waitlist for 15 weeks before receiving the iPeer2Peer program.

15 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for health outcomes and program acceptability post-intervention.

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• iPeer2Peer Mentorship

Trial Overview The iPeer2Peer program pairs young SCD patients with mentors who manage their condition well. Over 15 weeks, the intervention group will have up to ten calls with their mentor, while the control group waits for a mentor. The study aims to see if this is doable and how it affects health outcomes.

Participant Groups

Group I: iPeer2Peer Mentorship Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

In addition to standard care, participants in the experimental group will receive the iPeer2Peer program, a peer mentorship program that will provide modelling and reinforcement of self-management by pre-screened and trained peer mentors (young adults with SCD aged 19-25 who have learned to function successfully with their condition). Mentors will encourage participants to develop and engage in self-management skills and provide social support.

Group II: Waitlist Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

The control group participants will receive standard care and will be on a waitlist to receive the iPeer2Peer program until 15 weeks after completing their baseline questionnaires.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The Hospital for Sick Children

Lead Sponsor

Trials

724

Recruited

6,969,000+

Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario

Collaborator

Trials

134

Recruited

61,000+

Royal University Hospital Foundation

Collaborator

Trials

23

Recruited

7,900+

Connecticut Children's Medical Center

Collaborator

Trials

76

Recruited

30,000+