RightFit
RecruitingPhase 1 / Phase 2

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Adolescents and Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease

Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to Promote Mental Health and Transition Readiness in Youth With Sickle Cell Disease: A Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) Approach

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
14 Years to 21 Years
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.

Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests whether a group therapy program called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is practical and helpful for coping with stress linked to race. It is for Black teens and young adults ages 14–21 with sickle cell disease, a blood disorder. The study describes a 10-session program, but its entry rules ask participants to agree to attend 6 weekly sessions.

The current study seeks to build on previous research that demonstrates the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in combating stigma by investigating the feasibility and acceptability of a protocol to support Black adolescents and young adults in coping with race related stress. The study will consist of a small, purposeful, non-randomized sample (N = 30) of clients enrolled into a 10-session Acceptance and Commitment Therapy group. The group will be offered as part of regular clinical care at the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine. Three consecutive groups will be run with approximately 8-10 participants in each group over the next year.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Be age 14–21 and have sickle cell disease.
  • Be willing to join the ACT group. Current, waitlisted, and new patients at CHLA may join.
  • Understand and speak English, and have a parent or guardian who speaks English.
  • Be able to give consent or assent, meaning agreement to take part. Pregnant teens and young adults may join if consent can be obtained.
  • Have development that is typical for your age.
  • Have stable internet on a computer, tablet, or phone, a webcam, and a private place for group therapy.
  • Agree to audio and video recording of the first interview and to attend 6 weekly ACT group sessions.
  • Youth will be asked to join a group called the CAB. CAB members must agree to take part in ACT and attend CAB interviews and meetings.

Who can't join

  • Be in prison or a youth detention center.
  • Be unable to understand or speak English.
  • Not have sickle cell disease.
  • Be at high risk of suicide or self-harm.
  • Have a family that needs frequent help from the Department of Children and Family Services.
  • Currently have psychosis, which can make it hard to know what is real.
  • Have serious health problems that would affect taking part or attending sessions.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Youth Participant Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria The inclusion criteria for study participation are Be an adolescent and/or young adult (age 14-21) who has Sickle Cell Disease Willing to enroll in the ACT group jointly provided by the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine/Department of Hematology and Oncology Participants can be active, waitlisted, or new patients at CHLA Participants must be able to understand and speak English, as the therapy will only be delivered in English Participants must have an English-speaking parent/guardian Able to provide consent/assent An adolescent or young adult that is pregnant is eligible to participate if consent can be obtained Participants must be developmentally typical Have a stable internet connection (via computer, tablet, or phone) with access to a webcam and a private space to engage in a group therapy sessions; Must consent to audio and video recording of initial interview. Must agree to attend 6 weekly ACT group session Youth participants will be asked to become a member of the CAB. To become a CAB member, the youth participant must consent/assent to participation in the ACT intervention. If a CAB member, they must be willing to engage in CAB interviews and meetings. The exclusion criteria are: Prisoners or youth in detention centers Unable to understand or speak English Does not have SCD Clients who are at significant risk for suicide and self-injury will be excluded due to the intense levels of support required to support these individuals which would interfere with study procedures. Adolescents with families that require frequent intervention from the Department of Children and Family Services, are currently experiencing psychosis, or have severe health concerns that will impact study participation or attendance will be excluded.

Study sites (1)

CA