Peer Health Coaching for Spinal Cord Injury

(SCIU2 Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Diana Pernigotti

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Toronto

Disqualifiers: Not member of SCI BC/SCIACT

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 17

Duration: 6 months

76 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a web-based program called the SCI & U Peer Health Coaching Program, designed to help individuals with spinal cord injuries manage their health after hospital discharge. The program pairs participants with trained peer coaches to determine if this support can reduce emotional distress and enhance self-management skills. Participants will engage in online sessions focused on health management and develop personalized action plans. The trial seeks individuals who have experienced a spinal cord injury and are transitioning to community living within three years of their injury in British Columbia or Connecticut.

As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative health management solutions for spinal cord injuries.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on online support and self-management, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What prior data suggests that the SCI & U web-based self-management program is safe for people with spinal cord injury?

Research has shown that online health coaching programs like SCI&U are generally safe for participants. These programs typically include virtual meetings with trained coaches who assist with health management and goal setting. Because the SCI&U program is online and does not involve medication or medical procedures, the risk of physical harm remains low.

While specific data from past studies on the SCI&U program itself is not available, similar health coaching programs have been well-received in other research settings. Participants often report positive experiences with few or no negative side effects. This suggests that SCI&U is likely safe for those considering joining the trial.

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the SCI&U Peer Health Coaching Program because it offers a unique approach to managing spinal cord injuries through personalized peer support. Unlike traditional treatments that focus on medical and physical rehabilitation, this program emphasizes self-management and empowerment by pairing participants with peer health coaches. These coaches help individuals set goals, solve problems, and create action plans tailored to their personal health needs and life transitions. This method fosters a supportive and interactive environment, potentially leading to better long-term health outcomes and improved quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

What evidence suggests that the SCI&U Peer Health Coaching Program is effective for spinal cord injury?

Research has shown that the SCI & U Peer Health Coaching Program, which participants in this trial may receive, helps people with spinal cord injuries manage their health more effectively. Studies have found that participants in similar programs often experience less emotional stress and gain confidence in managing their health. One study discovered that an online platform for self-management coaching improved participants' knowledge and skills. Additionally, early results suggest that these programs can reduce additional health issues, which are common after spinal cord injuries. Overall, the program aims to empower individuals to take charge of their health as they return to their communities. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Susan Jaglal, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Toronto

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals within two years of a spinal cord injury who are transitioning from hospital to community living in British Columbia, Canada or Connecticut, USA. Participants should be planning to discharge or already living in the community for less than two years.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Orientation and Initial Assessment

Participants attend an orientation session to become acquainted with the health coaching program and platform features, followed by an initial assessment to identify priority health issues.

1 week

1 visit (virtual)

Treatment

Participants engage in up to 14 online sessions with a peer health coach, focusing on motivational interviewing, goal setting, and brief action planning.

6 months

14 visits (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for emotional distress, self-efficacy, and secondary conditions through surveys at 6 and 12 months.

6 months

2 visits (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• SCI&U Peer Health Coaching Program

Trial Overview The study tests if an online self-management program 'SCI & U' with peer health coaching can help manage health better compared to usual peer support. It involves up to 14 one-hour sessions and surveys at baseline, 6, and 12 months.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: SCI&U self-management program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Following recruitment intervention participants will be scheduled for an orientation session to become better acquainted with the health coaching program and the associated platform's features. Participants will then be partnered with their peer health coach. In the first videoconference session, participants will identify priority issues related to their health and transitioning to home. They will work through goal-setting, problem solving and create action plans for behaviour change. Online coaching sessions are expected to cover a health-related topic and a self-management skill topic and will have an expected duration of 45 to 60 minutes. The selection of topics and the order will be determined jointly.

Group II: Wait list control Active Control 1 Intervention

Control group will be offered the existing peer support program from the United Spinal Connecticut Chapter or SCI BC

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Toronto

Lead Sponsor

Trials

739

Recruited

1,125,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT06677905

NCT06677905 | SCI&U Peer Health Coaching Program for ... The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the online program and web-based platform for delivery of self-management services to people with spinal cord ...

2. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41394-021-00391-9

Preliminary examination of Coaching in Context with ... This study examined Coaching in Context when introduced to community-dwelling adults with spinal cord injury (SCI).

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7428932/

Web-Based Health Coaching for Spinal Cord Injury This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and potential impact of the SCI & U program in the context of a mixed methods pilot study.

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/387212580_An_online_self-management_program_for_spinal_cord_injury_a_pilot_randomised_controlled_trial_of_the_SCIU_peer_health_coaching_intervention

An online self-management program for spinal cord injury The spinal cord injury and you (SCI&U) intervention aims to improve self-management skills for persons living with SCI using a web-based, peer health-coaching ...

5. trial.medpath.com trial.medpath.com/clinical-trial/15131119d720212a/peer-health-coaching-program-rehabilitation

SCI&U Peer Health Coaching Program for Individuals Newly ... The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the online program and web-based platform for delivery of self-management services to people with spinal cord ...