Extrait

Background and study aims In England, between 3-7% of school aged children experience behavioural difficulties. Behavioural difficulties can have a negative long-term impact. For example, evidence shows that behavioural difficulties may predict worse academic attainment and higher levels of school dropout. Recent policy calls for schools to help students to manage behavioural difficulties. ReZone is a smartphone app for young people to use when they feel overwhelmed, stressed or anxious in class. The app aims to help students manage how they are feeling so they can ReZone and return to learning. It contains a series of tools which are designed to improve concentration, help relieve stress and help students to reflect and think through problems logically, through use of metalisation based therapy (a type of therapy that helps popeple separate their thoughts and feelings from those around them) and cognitive behaviour therapy (a type of therapy aiming to help people to change negative behaviour patterns) techniques. The aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of ReZone at reducing emotional and behavioural difficulties in young people in need of targeted support to engage with school. Who can participate? Young people aged 11-14 years who attend alternative provision schools What does the study involve? Classes are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Students in the first group are given access to the ReZone app, which they are able to download on their smartphones, for 12 weeks. They are able to use the app whenever they are feeling overwhelmed, stressed or anxious, either of their own accord or be directed by teachers to use it in class. The app contains tools based on different types of behavioural therapy and works to help students calm and re-focus quickly, enabling them to re-engage with their learning. Students in the second group continue as normal for the duration of the study. At the start of the study and then again after 12 weeks, students in both groups complete a range of questionnaires to measure their emotional and behavioural difficulties, mental wellbeing and self-management. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? There is no guaranteed benefit in taking part. One advantage is that participants will get to help shape an app that will benefit young people in future. Most people find taking part in research rewarding, as they contribute to the development of knowledge that may benefit other people in the future. After the study has ended, all classes in schools taking part in the project will be able to use ReZone if they wish. There are no notable risks involved with participating in this study. Where is the study run from? The study is run by University College London and the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families and takes place in alternative provision schools in England (UK) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? June 2016 to November 2017 Who is funding the study? National Institute for Health Research (UK) Who is the main contact? Dr Julian Edbrooke-Childs

Critère d'inclusion

• Emotional and behavioural difficulties in young people

Liens

• isrctn