A Web-Based Program for Cannabis Use and Psychotic Experiences in Young People (Keep It Real): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Leanne Hides; Amanda Baker; Melissa Norberg; Jan Copeland; Catherine Quinn; Zoe Walter; Janni Leung; Stoyan R Stoyanov; David Kavanagh

doi:10.2196/15803

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A Web-Based Program for Cannabis Use and Psychotic Experiences in Young People (Keep It Real): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

A Web-Based Program for Cannabis Use and Psychotic Experiences in Young People (Keep It Real): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Leanne Hides, Amanda Baker, Melissa Norberg, Jan Copeland, Catherine Quinn, Zoe Walter, Janni Leung, Stoyan R Stoyanov and David Kavanagh

JMIR Research Protocols, Vol.9(7), pp.1-13

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/15803

PMCID: PMC7424487

PMID: 32723727

Appears in Thompson Institute Research Collection

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Abstract

canabis

marijuana

psychotic

psychotic experiences

psychosis

digital intervention

web-based program

eHealth

adolescent

CBT

motivational interviewing

midfulness

education

well-being

Other Collaborations

Thompson Institute Special Collection

UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages

Background: Young Australians (16-25 years) have the highest rates of past-month cannabis use in the world. Cannabis use increases the risk of alcohol and other drug disorders and depressive disorders, and has a robust dose-response association with psychotic experiences (PEs) and disorders. PEs are subthreshold positive psychotic symptoms, including delusions and hallucinations, which increase the risk of substance use, depressive or anxiety disorders, and psychotic disorders. Access to effective web-based early interventions targeting both cannabis use and PEs could reduce such risk in young people. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the Keep it Real web-based program compared to an information-only control website among young cannabis users (16-25 years) with PEs. Methods: Participants are recruited online, and consenting individuals meeting inclusion criteria (aged 16-25 years, who have used cannabis in the past month and experienced PEs in the past 3 months) are automatically randomized to either the Keep it Real web-based program (n=249) or an information-only control website (n=249). Both websites are self-guided (fully automated). The baseline and follow-up assessments at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months are self-completed online. Primary outcome measures are weekly cannabis use, PEs, and the relative cost-effectiveness for quality-adjusted life years. Secondary outcomes include other substance use and related problems, PE-related distress, cannabis intoxication experiences, severity of cannabis dependence, depression/anxiety symptoms, suicidality, and mental well-being and functioning. Results: Recruitment commenced in February 2019, and the results are expected to be submitted for publication in mid-2021. Conclusions: This study protocol describes a large randomized controlled trial of a new web-based program for young cannabis users experiencing PEs. If effective, the accessibility and scalability of Keep it Real could help reduce growing public health concerns about the significant social, economic, and health impacts of cannabis use. Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001107213; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374800 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/15803

Details

Title: A Web-Based Program for Cannabis Use and Psychotic Experiences in Young People (Keep It Real): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Leanne Hides (Author) - The University of Queensland
Amanda Baker (Author) - University of Newcastle Australia
Melissa Norberg (Author) - Macquarie University
Jan Copeland (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Thompson Institute
Catherine Quinn (Author) - The University of Queensland
Zoe Walter (Author) - The University of Queensland
Janni Leung (Author) - The University of Queensland
Stoyan R Stoyanov (Author) - The University of Queensland
David Kavanagh (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
Publication details: JMIR Research Protocols, Vol.9(7), pp.1-13
Publisher: J M I R Publications, Inc.
Date published: 2020
DOI: 10.2196/15803
ISSN: 1929-0748
PMID: 32723727; PMC7424487
Copyright note: ©Leanne Hides, Amanda Baker, Melissa Norberg, Jan Copeland, Catherine Quinn, Zoe Walter, Janni Leung, Stoyan R Stoyanov, David Kavanagh. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (http://www.researchprotocols.org), 29.07.2020. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in JMIR Research Protocols, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on http://www.researchprotocols.org, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.
Organisation Unit: Thompson Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99482295402621
Output Type: Journal article

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