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Development of Novel Psychological Assessment Tools and Anxiety Intervention for Phenylketonuria

Development of Novel Psychological Assessment Tools and Anxiety Intervention for PKU: Intervention Trial

Who can join

Ages 10 to 17 · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

* Youth 10-17 years old and at least one parent/guardian
* Formal diagnosis of PKU (as confirmed/reported by caregiver): identified by newborn screening with PKU as evidenced by a blood Phe level ≥ 360μmol/L; received treatment within the first 30 days of life.
* Interest in receiving a brief, psychotherapeutic skills program to prevent and treat symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, according to parent- and youth-report
* Located in Missouri, Kansas, or Illinois.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Have significant intellectual disability (IQ\<70) or significant expressive or receptive language that would interfere with psychotherapy, according to parent- or youth-report
* Plans to receive non-study psychotherapy during the course of study participation, according to parent- or youth-report
* Plans to change current psychoactive or PKU-related medication during the course of study participation, according to parent- or youth-report
* Have active suicidal ideation that would necessitate immediate treatment or require higher level of care than brief psychotherapy, according to parent- or youth-report

About the study

While previous PKU intervention research has largely focused on pharmacological treatment of elevated Phe levels, the adaptation of evidence-based psychosocial therapy holds promise for addressing cognitive and psychological symptoms and significantly improving quality of life. Study goals include: (1) to demonstrate the efficacy and feasibility of a short-term skills-based intervention (Show Me FIRST) for anxiety and depression in adolescents with PKU, and (2) to further establish the psychometric validity of novel assessment measures recently developed by the Investigators that utilize ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to capture "in the moment" neurocognitive and psychological function. The Investigators propose to conduct a randomized controlled trial wherein 30 adolescents with PKU will be randomized to either an immediate intervention group or wait-list/delayed intervention group.

What is being tested

• Show Me FIRST coping skills intervention (behavioral)

Sponsor: University of Missouri-Columbia · Participants: 30 · Started: Oct 1, 2024

Contact the study team

• Shawn Christ · Phone: 573-884-8140

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06560736

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Phenylketonuria

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.