Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Mar 2, 2023
Date Accepted: Nov 1, 2023
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Internet-delivered therapy for parents with health anxiety by proxy: Study protocol for a single-case experimental design
ABSTRACT
Background:
Health anxiety by proxy is described as a parent's obsessive worries that their child is severely sick although not medically confirmed. Research on health anxiety by proxy suggests that it is highly distressing for the parent, and their child may be at risk of developing maladaptive symp-tom coping strategies. Until now no targeted treatment options for this group existed. PROXY is a newly developed 8-week psychological internet treatment for parents with health anxiety by proxy.
Objective:
The aim of this article is to describe the protocol for a study investigating potential effect of PROXY on parents' worries about their children's health.
Methods:
A replicated randomized single-case experimental design with AB-phases will be conducted. Each of the five participants will be randomized to a baseline period between 7-26 days before entering treatment and they will report daily anxiety level by text message throughout the study. Data will be submitted to visual analysis, and randomization tests will be conducted for each participant to test the null hypothesis that PROXY will have no effect on participants' anxiety.
Results:
The recruitment of parents began in June 2022 and is expected to be complete in February 2023, with data collection ceasing in April 2023.
Conclusions:
This is the first testing of a treatment for health anxiety by proxy. Using single-case experimental design with replicated randomized phases enables a methodologically sound testing with very few participants. Results will inform researchers on individual treatment courses and effect which may direct future research. Clinical Trial: Trial registration number is NCT04830605.
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Copyright
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