RCT of a Measurement Feedback App to Improve Data Quality, Supervision & Outcomes in Behavioral Health

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether a smartphone-based application called "Footsteps" can improve the quality of behavioral data collected by one-to-one aides working with school-aged youth (ages 4-17) who receive individualized support. The study aims to determine if the Footsteps app enhances data collection consistency, timeliness, and completeness, improves communication and supervision between aides and clinical supervisors, and leads to better youth behavioral health outcomes. The trial compares aides using Footsteps to those using a basic data collection app without enhancements. Participants will use either the Footsteps app, which includes behavioral economics features to motivate and simplify data collection, or a basic electronic data collection platform. They will record de-identified data on one client’s behaviors and skills over a 12-week period. The study includes biweekly online surveys about data collection experiences, youth progress, and aide-supervisor communication. A subset of participants will also join a 30-45 minute interview about their experience with the app. Throughout the study, researchers will monitor data collection consistency, timeliness, and completeness, as well as youth behavioral outcomes using tools like the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and Youth Top Problems. Participants will take part in a virtual intake session before starting and a post-trial meeting after 12 weeks. The trial is led by the University of Pennsylvania and includes 30 supervisor-aide pairs, with data collected monthly and biweekly as part of the evaluation process.

Testing a Measurement Feedback App to Improve Data Quality, Supervision & Outcomes in Behavioral Health