Evaluation of a Brief Surf the Urge Intervention

NCT ID: NCT02771886

Last Updated: 2017-04-04

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

36 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2016-02-29

Study Completion Date

2017-04-30

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief "Surf the Urge" intervention to reduce adolescent and young adult (i.e., 14 to 24 years old) urge-related behaviors. These behaviors will include, but not be limited to, substance use, deliberate self-harm, aggressive behavior, pulling out hair, and loosing control when eating.The intervention will utilize mindfulness skills (i.e., awareness, acceptance, nonjudgment) to assist in reducing these risky behaviors.

Detailed Description

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Empirical research has not specifically examined the effectiveness of the Surf the Urge intervention with an adolescent and young adult sample. Additionally, the value of this intervention with urge-related behaviors besides smoking (e.g., substance use, purging,, deliberate self-harm) is unclear. The current study will examine the efficacy of the Surf the Urge intervention in a sample of 14 to 24-year-olds who engage in a diverse array of urge-related behaviors. To aid participants in reducing their urge-related behavior, and coping with urges, the investigators will cue urges during the intervention by utilizing a cue exposure script. Urge-related behaviors to examine include alcohol use, drug use, tobacco use, deliberate self-harm, and self-induced vomiting. Additionally, only participants who experience urges or engage in the urge-related behavior a minimum of one time per week will be included. If participants report engaging in several urge-related behaviors, or experiencing varying urges, throughout a one-week period, they will be prompted to report the urge engaged in, or experienced, more frequently.purging, restrictive eating, violent actions (e.g., punching someone), gambling, stealing, trichotillomania, etc.

Additionally, the duration of the study will consist of a 6-week time-period, with the intervention occurring at either 2- or 4-weeks, creating a mixed-design model. This model will require fewer participants and allow the evaluation of individual differences related to intervention effectiveness. Additionally, this will enable the comparison of whether participants who were provided with the intervention at 2-weeks, compared to 4-weeks, were able to reduce their urge-related behaviors earlier. It is hypothesized that:

1. The Surf the Urge mindfulness intervention will decrease various urge-related behaviors (e.g., substance use, deliberate self-harm); however, this intervention will not directly affect a participant's self reported urge levels. Furthermore, individuals in the 2- week intervention group will reduce their urge-related behaviors sooner than those in the 4-week intervention group.
2. Participants who score higher on a self-report mindfulness questionnaire (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire) will show greater reductions in their urge-related behaviors (e.g., substance use, deliberate self-harm).
3. Participants who demonstrate the greatest change from their pre- to post- assessment mindfulness self-report scores (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire) will show the greatest changes in urge-related behaviors. They will also rate the Surf the Urge intervention as more satisfying (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8).
4. Participants who rate the Surf the Urge intervention as more satisfying (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8) will demonstrate a greater reduction in their urge-related behaviors.
5. There will be a 95% adherence rate to both the cue exposure and Surf the Urge protocols demonstrating proper implementation. When assessing intervention integrity, there will be no statistically significant difference in adherence between trained therapists and myself.

This study will provide information on the effectiveness of a brief mindfulness intervention to reduce various urge-related behaviors in a high-risk population (i.e., adolescents). It will provide additional information on a growingly popular intervention technique in a newly studied population and with newly examined problem behaviors. These results may lead to further information on the effectiveness of mindfulness interventions with adolescents and have implications for future treatment modalities. Additionally, it will also provide information on the characteristics of individuals who may be more responsive to briefer urge-behavior reduction interventions.

Conditions

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Substance Use Deliberate Self-harm Trichotillomania Aggression Stealing Eating Pathology Gambling

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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2-week intervention group

The "Surf the Urge" intervention will be provided to the participant during his or her 2nd week in the study. The duration of the study will be 6 weeks.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Surf the Urge

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The intervention teaches clients to be aware of and accept their feelings, thoughts, and sensations in a non-judgmental manner. Clients learn to remain present within the moment, become aware of their urges, and focus on accepting thoughts and feelings rather than suppressing or changing them. It utilizes visual imagery to assist clients in utilizing more acceptance skills; the client imagines his urges as waves within the ocean and then imagines surfing the waves.

Some interventionists also provide psychoeducation. Clients learn that urges will not last forever; clients are also taught information about reinforcing urges. The interventionist explains that if clients do not reinforce urges (e.g., do not smoke when an urge to smoke arises) they will eventual subside; however, reinforcing urges (smoke when an urge to smoke arises) will produce stronger urges. Emphasis is placed on the belief that clients have the choice to refrain from engaging in urge-related behaviors.

4-week intervention group

The "Surf the Urge" intervention will be provided to the participant during his or her 4th week in the study. The duration of the study will be 6 weeks.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Surf the Urge

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The intervention teaches clients to be aware of and accept their feelings, thoughts, and sensations in a non-judgmental manner. Clients learn to remain present within the moment, become aware of their urges, and focus on accepting thoughts and feelings rather than suppressing or changing them. It utilizes visual imagery to assist clients in utilizing more acceptance skills; the client imagines his urges as waves within the ocean and then imagines surfing the waves.

Some interventionists also provide psychoeducation. Clients learn that urges will not last forever; clients are also taught information about reinforcing urges. The interventionist explains that if clients do not reinforce urges (e.g., do not smoke when an urge to smoke arises) they will eventual subside; however, reinforcing urges (smoke when an urge to smoke arises) will produce stronger urges. Emphasis is placed on the belief that clients have the choice to refrain from engaging in urge-related behaviors.

Interventions

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Surf the Urge

The intervention teaches clients to be aware of and accept their feelings, thoughts, and sensations in a non-judgmental manner. Clients learn to remain present within the moment, become aware of their urges, and focus on accepting thoughts and feelings rather than suppressing or changing them. It utilizes visual imagery to assist clients in utilizing more acceptance skills; the client imagines his urges as waves within the ocean and then imagines surfing the waves.

Some interventionists also provide psychoeducation. Clients learn that urges will not last forever; clients are also taught information about reinforcing urges. The interventionist explains that if clients do not reinforce urges (e.g., do not smoke when an urge to smoke arises) they will eventual subside; however, reinforcing urges (smoke when an urge to smoke arises) will produce stronger urges. Emphasis is placed on the belief that clients have the choice to refrain from engaging in urge-related behaviors.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

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Surfing the Urge

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Between ages 14 and 24 years old
* Endorses engaging in an urge-related behavior, or experiencing urges for an urge-related behavior, within the past week
* Currently receiving treatment (or seeking services) at a university mental health clinic at University of Nevada, Las Vegas OR enrolled in a course requiring research participation at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Exclusion Criteria

* Younger than 14
* Older than 24
* Does not endorse experiencing urge, or conducting urge-related behavior engagement, during the past week
Minimum Eligible Age

14 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

24 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Kimberly N Schubert

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Kimberly N Schubert

Doctoral Practicum Student

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Stephen Benning, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Locations

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University of Nevada Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Other Identifiers

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SUBMI-2015

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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