Feasibility RCT of the serious game ‘Broodles’ for siblings of children with learning disabilities

Project Aim: Examine whether a serious game (Broodles) can be delivered successfully to siblings of children with learning disabilities, and whether it would be feasible to conduct a later definitive RCT of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Broodles. Background: Siblings in families of children with learning disabilities at increased risk of mental health problems and often have care responsibilities for their disabled brothers and sisters. There are no evidence-based supports for young siblings. Despite an expectation that local authorities support siblings, few supports are available in practice. Research questions: Feasibility questions focus on: recruitment pathways and rates for families, parents support for siblings completing Broodles, siblings' experiences of Broodles, research design acceptability, intervention adherence, retention of siblings and parents, differences between Broodles and Usual Support (US), collection of outcome data, and economic methods for future trial. Methods Design: Feasibility study with families containing eligible sibling(s) randomised 1:1 to US alone or Broodles alongside US. Sample – 60 families (up to 90 siblings 6-10 years) of children with learning disabilities. Inclusion: Family contains 1+ child with learning disabilities, 1+ eligible siblings, parent willing to complete outcome measures, parent consent for sibling. Exclusion: Sibling at baseline engaged in intervention with content similar to Broodles, sibling has significant mental health problems. Outcome measures: Sibling well-being (primary outcome); parent and sibling-reported secondary outcomes informed by Logic Model, collected at baseline, 3, 12 months post-randomisation (additional 7.5 month follow-up for parents). Intervention: Broodles serious game co-designed with siblings and families, played over 8 levels alone or with involvement of parent(s). Adherence = completion of 6 levels. Economic analysis: social, education and health services receipt data, health related quality of life (siblings, parents). Exploratory cost-effectiveness and cost-consequences analyses. Process evaluation: Interviews with 12 parents, 12 siblings, on experiences of Broodles, research process, and other feasibility questions. Analysis using Framework method informed by feasibility questions and Logic Model. Statistical analysis: Descriptive analysis of data informing feasibility questions; 3 level linear mixed effects models to estimate key parameters for future trial. Progression to future trial: Recommendation from Study Steering Committee with assessment of progression criteria. PPI: Multi-element PPI informed the research proposal and will continue through the research with young (child) siblings, family carers (parents and adult siblings), and a co-researcher group of young adult siblings. Research inclusion: Exploration of key inclusion issues also to inform future trial methods; including: digital poverty, participants whose preferred language is not English, ethnicity, sibling gender. Impact, dissemination: Research papers, conference presentations, co-designed dissemination outputs for siblings and families. Main focus on informing future trial and direct learning (e.g., supports available to siblings, PPI and co-research methods, economic methods for family support interventions in social care). If Broodles is effective, impact substantial - free to access; could be made available through Local Offers.