Examining the Impacts of Parent Mightier Play
Condition: Emotional Regulation
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      A randomized controlled trial comparing a group in which only child participants play
      Mightier video games for 8 weeks (Child Play group) to a group in which child and parent
      participants play Mightier video games for 8 weeks (Child and Parent Play group).
    

Detailed description: 
      Mightier is a mobile app-based biofeedback video game platform that facilitates emotion
      regulation skill-building among children ages 6-14. The technology behind Mightier's mobile
      app has been validated in two independent sham-controlled randomized controlled trials, where
      the investigators have seen decreases in clinical symptoms of aggression and disruptive
      behaviors, as well as lowered family stress without adverse events.

      The study utilizes a parallel randomized controlled design comparing groups of participant
      families whose children play Mightier video games without parent play to groups of
      participant families in which both children and parents play Mightier video games.
      Self-report measures will be completed by participant children and parents.

      The study consists of three primary phases: Pre-Study, Active Engagement, and Follow-Up.
      During the Pre-Study Phase, participants will undergo pre-screening and screening to evaluate
      interest and eligibility for the study, and participants who consent to participate in the
      study will complete baseline measures and be randomized into treatment groups. Mightier games
      will be shipped to participants during or shortly after their Pre-Study call. Participants
      will be instructed to begin Mightier gameplay as soon as Mightier games arrive at their
      homes, which will begin the Active Engagement Phase of the study.

      During the 8-week Active Engagement Phase, participants will be encouraged to play Mightier
      games in a way that corresponds to their study condition, and they will be offered engagement
      support in the form of brief weekly check-ins.

      After completion of the Active phase, participants will have a brief Follow-up phase,
      consisting of one video call during which child and parent participants will complete
      self-report follow-up measures.
    

Intervention name(s): Mightier online gameplay
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Mightier is a video-game-based biofeedback intervention that capitalizes on children's love of video games to increase emotional awareness and facilitate emotion regulation practice through heart rate (HR) control. Each family receives a Mightier Kit (Mighty Band heart rate monitor, dedicated Mightier tablet unless the family prefers to use their own device) and the Mightier App. Children wear a "Mighty Band" heart rate monitor on their arm while they play any one of 26+ games. As their heart rate rises the games become more difficult. For example, during a cooking game, smoke may appear on the screen and obscure the player's view. Children can either opt into an explicit cool down activity (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, crossing the midline, or visualization) or cool down on their own. By simply playing Mightier, children are motivated to practice calming strategies in moments of challenge.
Other intervention name(s): Mightier
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Treatment