Abstract

Introduction A mobile app, BlueIce, was codesigned with young people with a history of self-harm to provide them with more accessible and available evidence-based support at times of distress.

A preliminary evaluation found that BlueIce was acceptable, safe and used by young people and helped to reduce self-harm.

The present study is designed to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of adding BlueIce to usual Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).

Methods and analysis This study is a single-blind, randomised controlled trial comparing usual CAMHS care with usual care plus BlueIce.

A total of 138 adolescents aged 12–17 with current or a history of self-harm will be recruited through the Oxford Health National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust via their CAMHS clinician.

The primary outcome is self-harm at 12 weeks assessed using the Risk Taking and Self-Harm Inventory for Adolescents.

Secondary outcomes include mood, anxiety, hopelessness, general behaviour, sleep and impact on everyday life at 12 weeks and 6 months.

Health-related quality of life and healthcare resource utilisation data will be collected at baseline, 12 weeks and 6 months.

Postuse interviews at 12 weeks will determine the acceptability, safety and usability of BlueIce.

Citations

Greenhalgh I, Tingley J, Taylor G, Medina-Lara A, Rhodes S, Beating Adolescent Self-Harm (BASH): a randomised controlled trial comparing usual care versus usual care plus a smartphone self-harm prevention app (BlueIce) in young adolescents aged 12–17 who self-harm: study protocol. BMJ Open 2021;11:e049859

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049859

URI: https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/orka/title/beating-adolescent-self-harm-bash-a-randomised-controlled-trial-comparing-usual-care-versus-usual-care-plus-a-smartphone-self-harm-prevention-app-blueice-in-young-adolescents-aged-12-17-w/