Regulating Together in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (RT)

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: TSC; Behavioral Symptoms

Treatments: Behavioral: Behavioral Intervention in a small group platform

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT06105736

23-0274

HT9425-23-1-0344 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

CDMRP-TS220041 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to use a program called Regulating Together (RT), a remote, non-pharmacologic intervention to treat symptoms of emotion dysregulation in children and adolescents with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) and TSC-Associated Neuropsychiatric Disorder (TAND).

Full description

This is a non-pharmacological intervention that will utilize small group-based therapy with participants, followed by a separate caregiver session. The clinical trial will consist of four phases; 1) single in person screening/baseline visit; 2) RT control phase which is a 5-week observational period (Week 1-5); 3) RT intensive phase which is a remote group treatment intervention twice per week over 5 weeks (Week 6-10); 4) RT individualization phase, which is an individualized consultation with the participant and caregiver (Week 11); and 5) the RT generalization phase which is a 10 week follow up period consisting of utilizing the learned skills at home. At the end of the 10-week generalization phase, a semi-structured interview for thematic analysis will occur at the end of the study to capture facilitators and barriers to the intervention (Week 12-22).

Enrollment: 105 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 8 to 17 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Children ages 8-17 years inclusive with a documented clinical and/or genetic diagnosis of TSC and exhibiting symptoms of behavioral dysregulation (identified on the TAND Checklist having temper tantrums, aggressive outbursts, self-injury, and/or impulsivity) are eligible for inclusion.

Additional inclusion/eligibility criteria include:

• Participants and their caregivers have access to a computer, phone, or tablet with video capability and stable internet connection. If lack of a device or internet service is the sole barrier to eligibility/participation, interested individuals will be connected to a TSC Clinic social worker to link them to existing government and charity programs specifically addressing this disparity in underserved communities and households in need (e.g., the Affordable Connectivity Program).
• Participants must also be willing to participate in treatment sessions and have minimal levels of functional verbal communication (child and their caregiver must be fluent in English
• Child must have a minimum IQ>65 on the WASI-II at the screening/baseline visit).

Exclusion criteria

• Participants be on a stable medication regimen at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment
• Do not have a plan to start a new psychosocial intervention (e.g., individual psychotherapy, family psychotherapy, group psychotherapy or social skills training) or behavior medication within 30 days prior to enrollment or at any point during the study. ----Participants with significant disruptive, aggressive, self-injurious or sexually inappropriate behaviors deemed potentially dangerous or overly disruptive to the group dynamic/session, having significant co-occurring neuropsychiatric illness warranting other treatment approaches as determined by study clinician (e.g., substance use disorders, psychotic disorders, schizophrenia), or having significant sensory impairment that would limit participation in intervention curriculum/materials (e.g., blindness or uncorrected hearing loss) also will be excluded.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Diagnostic

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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105 participants in 2 patient groups

Parents

Experimental group

Description:

In this 22-week almost completely remote study, following a 5-week control phase, parents will receive intensive treatment twice per week for 5 weeks followed by a one-time, 1-on-1 counseling session with an RT psychologist (week 11). Then, parents will use skill practice and application in the home environment for 10 weeks. Following this, a final interview is conducted (week 22).

Treatment:

Behavioral: Behavioral Intervention in a small group platform

Children

Experimental group

Description:

In this 22-week almost completely remote study, following a 5-week control phase, children will receive intensive group treatment, twice a week for 5 weeks delivered remotely. During the children's sessions, they will use child structured videos, the PlayPosit curriculum and learning rewards. The following assessments will be completed by the parents, regarding their children, at each phase; EDI, ABC-2, FS, BRIEF-2, CRS, PSI-4SF and CGI-I. Following the completion of group treatment, there will be a one-time, 1-on-1 counseling session with an RT psychologist.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Behavioral Intervention in a small group platform