What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for physical violence that are community-centered and focus on promoting thriving and resiliency, such as community resiliency interventions, generally have minimal physical side effects. However, participants may experience emotional or psychological responses, such as increased anxiety or stress, particularly when discussing traumatic experiences. Additionally, there may be logistical challenges, such as time commitment and accessibility, which can impact participation and overall effectiveness.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

There are no specific FDA-approved medications solely for the treatment of physical violence. However, medications such as lithium and antiseizure drugs like carbamazepine and phenytoin have been used to manage impulsive aggressive behavior, which can contribute to physical violence. These treatments are typically used in individuals with underlying conditions such as personality disorders. The community-centered intervention focuses on promoting thriving and resiliency to reduce community violence, which is a non-pharmacological approach and differs from the pharmacological treatments mentioned.

What other types of research exist?

Promising alternatives to Community-Centered Intervention for reducing community violence include Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT). These approaches integrate comprehensive, individualized care with a focus on mental health and substance use disorders, aiming to prevent criminal justice involvement and improve overall community health. Additionally, psychosocial management strategies, such as family interventions and social skills training, have shown effectiveness in managing symptoms and reducing relapse in patients with severe mental illness, which can indirectly contribute to reducing community violence.

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Community Resilience Program for Community Violence

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Elizabeth Miller, MD, PhD

Research Sponsored by University of Pittsburgh

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up change from 1 year period before baseline to approximately 2 years after baseline

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests a program where community members meet to discuss and plan ways to improve their neighborhood, focusing on safety and well-being for children and teens. The goal is to make people feel more connected and capable of reducing violence. The study involves neighborhoods in Pittsburgh and includes both youth and adults.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for youth (13 years and older) and adults of all genders who live in specific neighborhoods chosen for the study. It's not open to anyone younger than 13 or those living outside these neighborhoods.

What is being tested?

The study tests a community intervention called CRCEI aimed at increasing resilience and reducing violence, compared with standard health education sessions. Participants are grouped by neighborhood and randomly assigned to one of the interventions.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this trial involves community-based interventions rather than medical treatments, traditional side effects are not applicable. However, participants may experience changes in their perception of community safety or personal well-being.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ change from 1 year period before baseline to approximately 2 years after baseline

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~change from 1 year period before baseline to approximately 2 years after baseline

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and change from 1 year period before baseline to approximately 2 years after baseline for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Change from baseline in perceptions of neighborhood collective efficacy and community cohesion

Secondary study objectives

Change from baseline in collective efficacy and neighborhood social norms

Community incidence of violence in 12 month period

Number of self-reported events of violence exposure

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Community Resiliency Collective Efficacy Intervention (CRCEI)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention

Community Resiliency Collective Efficacy Intervention (CRCEI) to engage community members in dialogue on thriving, community leadership, and organizing for social change (9 sessions).

Group II: Health Education SessionsActive Control1 Intervention

Comparison neighborhoods will receive health education sessions as a control intervention. (9 sessions)

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Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Community-centered interventions aim to reduce physical violence by fostering a sense of community, promoting social cohesion, and building collective efficacy. These interventions work by empowering community members to support each other, address underlying social determinants of violence, and create a safer environment. Trauma-focused therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), help individuals process and heal from trauma, reducing the likelihood of violent behavior. Biochemical therapies may address underlying biochemical imbalances that contribute to aggressive behavior. These treatments are crucial for physical violence patients as they not only address immediate safety concerns but also promote long-term healing and resilience, reducing the risk of future violence.

Dropout from evidence-based trauma treatment in a community mental health clinic serving victims of interpersonal violence.Problem-Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapies.The efficacy of complementary therapies for agitation among older people in residential care facilities: a systematic review.