The iPeer2Peer Program: a pilot randomized controlled trial in adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

• DOI: 10.1186/s12969-016-0108-2
• Publication Date: 2016-09-02T11:33:23Z
• Authors: Jennifer Stinson; Sara Ahola Kohut; Paula Forgeron; Khush Amaria; Mary Bell; Miriam Kaufman; Nadia Luca; Stephanie Luca; Lauren Harris; Charles Victor; Lynn Spiegel
• Keywords: Male; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Adolescent; Health Behavior; Psychological Techniques; Pilot Projects; Peer Group; 796; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Rheumatology; Immunology and Allergy; Humans; Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health; Mentors; Social Support; 16. Peace & justice; Arthritis, Juvenile; 3. Good health; Self Care; Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; Quality of Life; Feasibility Studies; Female; Research Article

Adolescents with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) are at risk for physical, emotional, social and role challenges that negatively impact quality of life. Peer mentoring has been shown to improve positive health behaviours in adolescents chronic disease while simultaneously providing support. The objectives this paper examine the feasibility acceptability an online peer program (iPeer2Peer Program) JIA. iPeer2Peer was examined using a waitlist pilot randomized control trial (RCT). Participants were randomly allocated intervention or wait-list group via secure, web-based randomization service. Health care providers investigators blinded participant allocation. Trained mentors (16–25 years; successfully managing their JIA) matched participants (12–18 diagnosed provide support education effective self-management Participant-mentor pairings connected ten times over 8 weeks Skype video calls. Primary outcomes focused on implementation (i.e. measures acceptability). Secondary effectiveness self-management, self-efficacy, pain, life). Thirty (mean age 14.3 ± 1.7 years, 97 % female) completed RCT (intervention n = 16, 14). outcomes: One third (32 %) approached agreed participate, baseline randomized. Half calls within weeks. Average call length twice required amount lengths 44.72 15.76 min. reported satisfaction all they would recommend it peers. Participants' mean engagement level 8.53/10 (range 7–10). who Program demonstrated improvements perceived ability manage JIA (p < 0.04), compared controls. No adverse events reported. is promising improves treatments By Internet connect may also accessibility these resources. Findings will be used adapt refine methodology full-scale RCT. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01986400 . Registered November 11, 2013.