Overview
The goal of this study is to help teens with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) and their families learn practical strategies for managing issues like irritability, meltdowns, and anxiety. The main objective of the study is:
To adapt current Regulating Together materials to create an outpatient group program for emotion dysregulation in Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) that will improve psychosocial outcomes for youth with PWS.
Description
Up to ten children with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) ages 13 to 17.5 years and their caregivers will be enrolled in the study. This study is being done to develop and test a behavior therapy to help teenagers with PWS calm their emotions. Participants will complete assessments at five time points:
Screening (T1); Week 0: Baseline visit (T2); Week 5: Post Active Treatment (T3); Week 10: 5 week follow-up (T4); and Week 15: 10 week follow-up (T5). Participants will receive 5 weeks of intervention, twice per week, following the T2 visit.
Eligibility
Child Participant Inclusion Criteria:
- Ages 13-17.5 years
- Confirmed genetic diagnosis of Prader-Willi Syndrome
- Fluent in spoken English
- Adolescent's use of flexible phrase speech or greater
- Meeting clinically significant emotional dysregulation criteria
- Willing to participate in weekly 90-minute group sessions
- Family is willing to keep prescribed psychiatric medication and outside behavioral interventions stable
- Parent, guardian, or legally authorized representative must provide written permission on behalf of the participant
Child Participant Exclusion Criteria:
- Initiation of new psychosocial intervention within 30 days prior to first day of treatment
- Presence of physical aggression in the adolescent directed towards a peer outside the home that resulted in injury within 30 days prior to screening
- Presence of comorbid major neuropsychiatric illness warranting other treatment approaches
- Presence of any major sensory impairment that would limit participating in the material including blindness or uncorrected hearing loss
Caregiver Inclusion Criteria:
- Age ≥ 18 years
- Lives and cares for their child with PWS for \> 50% of the year
- Fluent in spoken English
- Willing to participate in twice weekly 90-minute sessions, including one virtual session weekly
Caregiver Exclusion Criteria:
-Presence of any major sensory impairment that would limit participating in the material including blindness or uncorrected hearing loss
