Online Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Parents of Children With Food Allergies

Launched by CANTERBURY CHRIST CHURCH UNIVERSITY · Feb 1, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing adapted, live online, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for parents and carers of children with food allergies (MBCT-PCCFA) with a treatment as usual control. A battery of self-report measures will be administered online at baseline (week 0), post-intervention (week 15) and at follow-up (week 23).

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Parents or caregivers who identify as having a child under the age of 18 with a food allergy
• • The allergy has been diagnosed by a qualified physician (e.g. GP or allergy specialist)
• • Mean score of \>=2 on the FAQL-PB, indicating they are at least 'somewhat limited/troubled' by their child's allergy (Cohen et al., 2004).
• • Resident in the United Kingdom
• • Have access to email, a PC/laptop/tablet with a webcam and microphone and internet access to allow videoconferencing
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • They had consulted on the design and content of the intervention or study
• • They have already participated in a substantial mindfulness-based course
• • They are currently engaged or are planning to engage with another psychological intervention during the course of the study
• • They currently engage in regular mindfulness-based practice
• • They do not have the practical means and time available to be able to attend the intervention during the dates outlined on the information sheet and commit to at-home practice
• • They have scores \>19 on PHQ-8 (indicating 'severe' depressive symptom severity; Kroenke et al., 2009) or \>15 on GAD (indicating 'severe' level of anxiety; Spitzer et al., 2006)
• • They have a problem with alcohol or recreational drug misuse
• • They have experienced thoughts about harming themselves or others in the last 12 months
• • They have been given a diagnosis of psychosis
• • They are currently experiencing high levels of distress and/or currently feeling particularly fragile
• • They have experienced a bereavement of someone close to them in the last year or are continuing to experience continuing grief in relation to losing someone further back in time
• • They have had traumatic experiences that they continue to be troubled by (including, but not limited to, receiving diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder)
• • They experience significant difficulty being in a group with other people.
• • NB: for further details re the FAQL-PB and PHQ-8, please see the outcome measures section.