Development of Novel Psychological Assessment Tools and Anxiety Intervention for Phenylketonuria

NCT ID: NCT06560736

Last Updated: 2025-12-23

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

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

30 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-10-01

Study Completion Date

2026-08-31

Brief Summary

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While previous PKU intervention research has largely focused on pharmacological treatment of elevated Phe levels, the adaptation of evidence-based psychosocial therapy holds promise for addressing cognitive and psychological symptoms and significantly improving quality of life. Study goals include: (1) to demonstrate the efficacy and feasibility of a short-term skills-based intervention (Show Me FIRST) for anxiety and depression in adolescents with PKU, and (2) to further establish the psychometric validity of novel assessment measures recently developed by the Investigators that utilize ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to capture "in the moment" neurocognitive and psychological function. The Investigators propose to conduct a randomized controlled trial wherein 30 adolescents with PKU will be randomized to either an immediate intervention group or wait-list/delayed intervention group.

Detailed Description

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A sample of 30 adolescents (age 10-17) with PKU and a history of elevated anxiety and/or depression symptomatology will be recruited to participate in a randomized control trial. Following screening and informed consent, participants will be randomized to an immediate intervention group (n=15) or wait-list/delayed intervention group (n=15). Participants will receive the 10-week Show Me First program for treatment of anxiety and depression. Participants will complete extensive psychological and neurocognitive evaluations at three timepoints: Weeks 0, 11, and 22. The assessments and intervention will all be administered remotely via secure videoconference and cell-phone based applications.

Conditions

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Phenylketonurias

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Wait-list Control Design
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Immediate Intervention Group

Group Type OTHER

Show Me FIRST coping skills intervention

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Show Me FIRST is a flexible, transdiagnostic intervention organized around well-tested principles of youth psychotherapeutic change.

Wait List / Delayed Intervention Group

Group Type OTHER

Show Me FIRST coping skills intervention

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Show Me FIRST is a flexible, transdiagnostic intervention organized around well-tested principles of youth psychotherapeutic change.

Interventions

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Show Me FIRST coping skills intervention

Show Me FIRST is a flexible, transdiagnostic intervention organized around well-tested principles of youth psychotherapeutic change.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Youth 10-17 years old and at least one parent/guardian
* Formal diagnosis of PKU (as confirmed/reported by caregiver): identified by newborn screening with PKU as evidenced by a blood Phe level ≥ 360μmol/L; received treatment within the first 30 days of life.
* Interest in receiving a brief, psychotherapeutic skills program to prevent and treat symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, according to parent- and youth-report
* Located in Missouri, Kansas, or Illinois.

Exclusion Criteria

* Have significant intellectual disability (IQ\<70) or significant expressive or receptive language that would interfere with psychotherapy, according to parent- or youth-report
* Plans to receive non-study psychotherapy during the course of study participation, according to parent- or youth-report
* Plans to change current psychoactive or PKU-related medication during the course of study participation, according to parent- or youth-report
* Have active suicidal ideation that would necessitate immediate treatment or require higher level of care than brief psychotherapy, according to parent- or youth-report
Minimum Eligible Age

10 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

17 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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National PKU Alliance

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Missouri-Columbia

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Shawn Christ

Associate Professor of Psychological Sciences

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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University of Missouri

Columbia, Missouri, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Shawn Christ

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 573-884-8140

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Shawn Christ

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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2103266

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id