HELP (HEalthy Lifestyles Project) for Youth Experiencing Mental Distress – E-Intervention Pilot Study
Lead PIs: Pat Longmuir & Clare Gray
Main study contact: Miranda DiGasparro [email protected]
Many youth today are living with mental distress. The number of youth thinking about suicide or self-harm has doubled since 2015. Psychiatrists often see patients whose unhealthy lifestyle choices are important factors that contribute to their mental distress. Research evidence has shown that poor sleep habits, high amounts of screen time and limited physical activity are linked with poor mental health.
This study is evaluating whether youth seeking mental health support will use virtual resources designed to encourage healthy lifestyle habits. Youth experiencing emotional distress are invited to try out these virtual resources. We want to learn what youth think about the resources and how they can be improved. The study results will guide us in developing virtual resources that can help youth to achieve the physical and mental health benefits of healthy, active lifestyles.
The study will run from August 2021 to June 2022, after which the results will be posted to this webpage.
This project is made possible by funding from the following: FRAYME Grant Program, CHEO Research Institute Summer Studentship Funding, ESDC Summer Studentship, the CHEO Division of Psychiatry Summer Student Funding, and the CHEO Foundation.
Preventing Sedentary Lifestyles among Children Born with Congenital Heart Defects; A feasibility study of physical activity after surgical or catheterization intervention
Lead PI: Pat Longmuir
Main Study Contact: Jenna Yaraskavitch ([email protected])
Active play is critically important for young children. It is essential for normal growth and development and is how children socialize with peers. Our previous study among 127 children with a congenital heart defects found lower activity levels among patients 18 to 59 months of age compared to their healthy peers. Children with heart defects often did not achieve the recommended 180 minutes of physical activity per day. We suspect that CHD treatments may reduce active play opportunities, delaying motor skill development, and preventing active lifestyle habits from being establish in early childhood.
This study is evaluating the feasibility of a 6-month, home-based, parent-led, physical activity program, completed immediately after surgical or catheterization treatment. This study will determine whether parents are willing to join such a study during their child’s treatment, whether they are able to implement the home program, and what proportion of children are eligible to participate. Once we know this approach is feasible, we will do a larger study to evaluate the impact of the physical activity program among infants and young children with CHD. We think that encouraging appropriate physical activity during treatment and recovery would be the best approach for creating healthy physical activity habits among young children with CHD. Children 5 years of age or younger who are having CHD treatment (surgery or catheterization) are eligible to participate.
The study will run until March 2026, after which the results will be posted to this webpage.
This project is made possible by funding from the following: CIHR Project Grant, and a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Bridge Grant.
