PURSUIT Program for Coping Skills and Substance Use Prevention

Overseen By Jocelyn Zuckerman

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Michigan State University

Disqualifiers: Age under 8 or over 18, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 6 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests an online support platform called PURSUIT, designed to help young people in Michigan, aged 8-18, manage physical pain and mental stress. The platform provides coping skills using cognitive behavioral techniques, which improve thinking and behavior. For those aged 12 and older, additional resources aim to prevent substance use. Young people enrolled in a Michigan school who seek tools to handle stress or pain might be a good fit. The study will assess progress at the start and again after about eight weeks. As an unphased trial, participants can benefit from innovative support tools tailored to their needs.

What prior data suggests that this online support platform is safe for youth?

Research has shown that the PURSUIT self-management portal is a safe and supportive online tool. It helps young people use mental exercises to change thought patterns and manage stress, mood, and pain. Being online, it avoids medication or physical treatments, typically resulting in fewer side effects.

The portal offers videos, handouts, and worksheets, all considered low-risk. No reports of negative effects have emerged from using these online educational tools. The content is tailored for young people, and for those aged 12 and older, it includes information on preventing substance use.

Overall, the portal teaches useful skills in a safe, digital environment, making it a well-tolerated option for supporting the mental and physical health of young people. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

The PURSUIT Self-Management Portal is unique because it offers a comprehensive online platform that addresses both physical and mental health symptoms, like pain and stress, while also focusing on substance use prevention for youth. Unlike traditional options that might involve in-person therapy or medication, this portal provides accessible, evidence-based cognitive-behavioral tools through videos, handouts, and worksheets. Researchers are excited about this treatment because it empowers young people with self-management skills, making it a potentially more convenient and engaging way to prevent substance use and improve overall well-being.

What evidence suggests that the PURSUIT program is effective for coping skills and substance use prevention?

Research shows that cognitive-behavioral techniques can help young people manage stress, mood, and pain. In this trial, all participants will access the PURSUIT platform, an online tool that teaches these coping skills. Studies have found that these skills can lower stress and improve mood by helping users handle tough emotions. For those aged 12 and older, the program includes content to prevent substance use. Evidence-based methods like these effectively prevent substance use by increasing awareness and improving coping skills. Overall, the platform provides young people with tools to enhance their mental and physical health. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Michigan youth aged 8-18 enrolled in school and their parents/caregivers. It's designed to help with physical pain, stress, mood symptoms, and prevent substance use in older kids. Participants will be evaluated before starting the program and again about 8 weeks later.

Inclusion Criteria

Youth aged eight to 18 years enrolled in a Michigan elementary, middle, or high school may enroll with their caregiver to test the self-management portal.

Exclusion Criteria

I am either younger than 8 or older than 18 years old.

Non-enrollment in school.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Baseline Assessment

Consented youth complete a baseline assessment and caregivers report demographic and ACE information

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Treatment

Participants use the PURSUIT online platform to learn cognitive-behavioral strategies for managing mood, anxiety, stress, and physical pain

6 weeks

Online engagement

Post Assessment

Participants complete a post assessment and a semi-structured interview to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the PURSUIT platform

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in symptoms and behaviors after the intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• PURSUIT

Trial Overview The PURSUIT program is being tested; it's an online platform providing cognitive behavioral coping skills through CIAS 3.0 system. The focus is on managing physical pain, mental health issues like stress and mood disorders, plus preventing substance abuse in those aged 12+.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: PURSUIT Self-Management Portal Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All youth enrolled in the study will have access to an online self-management platform, hosted by the Computerized Intervention Authoring System (CIAS). The self-management platform comprises evidence-based cognitive-behavioral psycho-education and skills broadly applicable to physical (pain) and mental (stress, mood) health symptoms. Youth aged twelve and older will have access to content related to preventing substance use. Materials include instructional videos, handouts, and worksheets.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Michigan State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

202

Recruited

687,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07266740?term=rare+disease

PURSUIT: A Technologically Augmented School-based ... PURSUIT is an online self-management platform for youth aged 8-18 and one caregiver that provides cognitive-behavioral coping skills for ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2916744/

Evidence-Based Interventions for Preventing Substance Use ... This article reviews the epidemiology, etiologic risk and protective factors, and evidence-based approaches that have been found to be most effective in ...

3. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jpm.13144

Exploration of Effective Substance Use Relapse Prevention ... Promoting the use of coping skills for stress management. Improve self-identities. Delivering education on harmful consequences of drug abuse.

4. samhsa.gov samhsa.gov/libraries/evidence-based-practices-resource-center

Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center This guide helps health care providers, systems, and communities support recovery from substance use disorders via employment mechanisms. It describes relevant ...

5. games.jmir.org games.jmir.org/2018/4/e19/

Potential of an Interactive Drug Prevention Mobile Phone App ... Conclusions: The Once Upon a High app can be a useful tool to assist preventive intervention programs by increasing knowledge and self-efficacy; ...

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07266740

PURSUIT: A Technologically Augmented School-based ... PURSUIT is an online self-management platform for youth aged 8-18 and one caregiver that provides cognitive-behavioral coping skills for ...

7. egusd.net egusd.net/

Elk Grove Unified School District: Home Find all of the information you need for the Elk Grove Unified School District including calendars, school boundaries, and academic resources.

8. flhealthsource.gov flhealthsource.gov/

Home - FL HealthSource • Health Care Resources for ... The portal was established to provide healthcare practitioners 24 hours a day access to the division's licensing services, including the ability to apply for a ...

9. samhsa.gov samhsa.gov/

Home | SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health ... SAMHSA leads efforts to advance behavioral health across the U.S., offering resources for mental health, substance use, and community well-being.

10. hccs.edu hccs.edu/resources-for/staff/

Staff | Houston City College (HCC) myHCC is accessible to HCC faculty and staff only. Log into the Employee Service Center to obtain information on: Your Benefits; Financial Matters; Your Talent ...