Zest: Promoting the Psychological Health of Women With SCI: A Virtual World Intervention
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The purpose of this project is to test the efficacy of an internet-based psychological health enhancement program for women with spinal cord injury. The intervention will occur in Second Life (SL), which is an online virtual word simulator with a group of women with spinal cord injury.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Zest Zest is an internet-based psychological health enhancement program for women with spinal cord injury. The intervention will occur in Second Life (SL), which is an online virtual word simulator with a group of women with spinal cord injury.The Zest program will consist of 10 weekly 2-hour group sessions with approximately 8 women using avatars to represent themselves. |
Behavioral: Zest
Zest is an internet-based psychological health enhancement program for women with spinal cord injury. The intervention will occur in Second Life (SL), which is an online virtual word simulator with a group of women with spinal cord injury.The Zest program will consist of 10 weekly 2-hour group sessions with approximately 8 women using avatars to represent themselves.
|
| No Intervention: Control No intervention - Control participants are provided intervention materials at the end of the study. |
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Self-esteem as assessed by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale [Baseline]
The effect of the Zest intervention on self-esteem as assessed by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. This is a 10-item scale with scores ranging from 10-40 with higher scores indicating higher self-esteem.
- Self-esteem as assessed by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale [10 weeks]
The effect of the Zest intervention on self-esteem as assessed by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. This is a 10-item scale with scores ranging from 10-40 with higher scores indicating higher self-esteem.
- Self-esteem as assessed by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale [6 months]
The effect of the Zest intervention on self-esteem as assessed by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. This is a 10-item scale with scores ranging from 10-40 with higher scores indicating higher self-esteem.
- Depression as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) [Baseline]
The effect of the Zest intervention on depression as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). This is a 9-item scale with scores ranging from 0-27 with higher scores indicating more severe depression.
- Depression as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) [10 weeks]
The effect of the Zest intervention on depression as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). This is a 9-item scale with scores ranging from 0-27 with higher scores indicating more severe depression.
- Depression as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) [6 months]
The effect of the Zest intervention on depression as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). This is a 9-item scale with scores ranging from 0-27 with higher scores indicating more severe depression.
- Life satisfaction as assessed by the Satisfaction with Life Scale [Baseline]
The effect of the Zest intervention on life satisfaction as assessed by the Satisfaction with Life Scale. This is a 5-item scale with scores ranging from 5-35 with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction with life.
- Life satisfaction as assessed by the Satisfaction with Life Scale [10 weeks]
The effect of the Zest intervention on life satisfaction as assessed by the Satisfaction with Life Scale. This is a 5-item scale with scores ranging from 5-35 with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction with life.
- Life satisfaction as assessed by the Satisfaction with Life Scale [6 months]
The effect of the Zest intervention on life satisfaction as assessed by the Satisfaction with Life Scale. This is a 5-item scale with scores ranging from 5-35 with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction with life.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Self-efficacy as assessed by the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale [Baseline]
The effect of the Zest intervention on self-efficacy as assessed by the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale. This is a 10-item scale with scores ranging from 10-40 with higher scores indicating higher self-efficacy.
- Self-efficacy as assessed by the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale [10 weeks]
The effect of the Zest intervention on self-efficacy as assessed by the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale. This is a 10-item scale with scores ranging from 10-40 with higher scores indicating higher self-efficacy.
- Self-efficacy as assessed by the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale [6 months]
The effect of the Zest intervention on self-efficacy as assessed by the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale. This is a 10-item scale with scores ranging from 10-40 with higher scores indicating higher self-efficacy.
- Social connectedness as assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale, Emotional/Informational Support subscale. [Baseline]
The effect of the Zest intervention on social connectedness as assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale, Emotional/Informational subscale. This is an 8-item scale in which scores for each item are averaged. Scores are converted to a 0-100 scale with higher scores indicating more support and, therefore, social connectedness.
- Social connectedness as assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale, Emotional/Informational Support subscale. [10 weeks]
The effect of the Zest intervention on social connectedness as assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale, Emotional/Informational subscale. This is an 8-item scale in which scores for each item are averaged. Scores are converted to a 0-100 scale with higher scores indicating more support and, therefore, social connectedness.
- Social connectedness as assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale, Emotional/Informational Support subscale. [6 months]
The effect of the Zest intervention on social connectedness as assessed by the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Scale, Emotional/Informational subscale. This is an 8-item scale in which scores for each item are averaged. Scores are converted to a 0-100 scale with higher scores indicating more support and, therefore, social connectedness.
- Perceived stress as assessed the by Perceived Stress Scale [Baseline]
The effect of the Zest intervention on perceived stress as assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale. This is a 10-item scale with scores ranging from 0-40 with higher scores indicating more perceived stress.
- Perceived stress as assessed the by Perceived Stress Scale [10 weeks]
The effect of the Zest intervention on perceived stress as assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale. This is a 10-item scale with scores ranging from 0-40 with higher scores indicating more perceived stress.
- Perceived stress as assessed the by Perceived Stress Scale [6 months]
The effect of the Zest intervention on perceived stress as assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale. This is a 10-item scale with scores ranging from 0-40 with higher scores indicating more perceived stress.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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have a traumatic spinal cord injury
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be at least one year post injury
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be able to speak and read English (to participate in the group intervention and complete study questionnaires in English).
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have access to a phone, an email account, and a computer and high-speed Internet connection that meets minimum SL computing requirements.
Exclusion Criteria:
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have a cognitive impairment that significantly limits their ability to give informed consent, participate in the intervention, or complete study assessments as determined by an inability to correctly answer questions on a comprehension of consent questionnaire
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have a significant visual or hearing impairment that would prohibit their ability to participate in the virtual intervention
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report active suicidality
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live in institutions. Individuals living in community-based group and adult foster homes will be invited to participate.
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Montana | Missoula | Montana | United States | 59812 |
| 2 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston | Houston | Texas | United States | 77006 |
| 3 | Baylor College of Medicine | Houston | Texas | United States | 77030 |
| 4 | TIRR Memorial Hermann | Houston | Texas | United States | 77030 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
- National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research
- TIRR Memorial Hermann
- University of Montana
- Baylor College of Medicine
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Susan Robinson-Whelen, PhD, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Study Documents (Full-Text)
More Information
Publications
None provided.- HSC-MS-17-0474
- H133G080042-10