Controlled evaluation of the STARBRIGHT CD-ROM program for children and adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of the STARBRIGHT Fitting Cystic Fibrosis Into Your Life Everyday CD-ROM. Data were analyzed to evaluate the effectiveness of the program as an educational tool for children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF).


METHODS
Forty-seven children and adolescents with CF between the ages of 7 and 17 years were enrolled in the study. Participants completed an initial evaluation of CF-related knowledge and coping skills and were then randomly assigned to one of two groups: the treatment group or the wait-list control group. Participants then viewed the CD-ROM, and researchers completed posttest measures.


RESULTS
Analyses indicated that both disease-related knowledge and coping strategies generated by children and adolescents with CF improved as a result of the intervention and that this effect was replicated in the wait-list group.


CONCLUSIONS
In sum, the results of the current study indicate that the STARBRIGHT CD-ROM program is a promising intervention for increasing CF-related knowledge and the competence of children's and adolescents' coping strategies. These positive results are enhanced by the brief, inexpensive, and portable nature of this educational program.
Davis
Melissa A
MA
Psychological Assessment Resources, University of Miami, Gables, FL 33146, USA.
Quittner
Alexandra L
AL
Stack
Crystal M
CM
Yang
Mark C K
MC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D016251:CD-ROM; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012984:Software