A naturalistic, randomized, controlled trial combining cognitive remediation with cognitive-behavioural therapy after first-episode non-affective psychosis

BACKGROUND

Cognitive remediation (CR) preceding cognitive-behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp) was trialled within routine clinical services, with the hypothesis that following first-episode non-affective psychosis CR would enhance CBTp efficacy by improving neuropsychological performance.

METHOD

A total of 61 patients with DSM-IV non-affective psychoses waiting for routine CBTp were randomized to computerized CR over 12 weeks, supported by a trained support worker, or time-matched social contact (SC). Primary outcome was the blind-rated Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scale (PSYRATS). Secondary outcomes included measures of CBTp progress, cognition, symptoms, insight and self-esteem: all at baseline, after CR (12 weeks) and after CBTp (42 weeks). PSYRATS and global neuropsychological efficacy were tested using mixed-effects models with a group × time interaction term. Measures of CBTp progress and some neuropsychological measures were modelled by regression.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the CR and SC groups in PSYRATS (group × time coefficient 0.3, 95% confidence interval -0.4 to 1.1, p = 0.39). However, after CR CBTp was shorter [median 7 sessions, interquartile range (IQR) 2-12 after CR; median 13, IQR 4-18 after SC; model p = 0.011] and linked to better insight (p = 0.02). Global cognition did not improve significantly more after CR (p = 0.20) but executive function did (Wisconsin Card Sort, p = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

CBTp courses preceded by CR were far shorter but achieved the same outcome as CBTp preceded by an active control, consistent with neuropsychological improvement enhancing CBTp. CR was delivered by staff with minimal training, offering the potential to reduce the costs of CBTp considerably.

The prevalence of erosive osteoarthritis in carpometacarpal joints and its clinical burden in symptomatic community-dwelling adults

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of erosive disease in first carpometacarpal joints (CMCJs) and investigate its clinical impact compared with radiographic thumb base (TB) osteoarthritis (OA).

PATIENT AND METHODS

Standardized assessments with hand radiographs were performed in participants of two population-based cohort studies in North Staffordshire with hand symptoms lasting ≥1 day in the past month. Erosive disease was defined as the presence of eroded or remodeled phase in ≥1 interphalangeal joint (IPJ) or first CMCJ following the Verbruggen-Veys classification. Hand pain and function were assessed with Australian/Canadian Hand Osteoarthritis Index (AUSCAN). Prevalence was estimated by dividing the number of persons with erosive lesions by population size. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to contrast clinical determinants between persons with erosions and with radiographic TB OA. Results were presented as mean differences and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), adjusted for age, sex and radiographic severity.

RESULTS

1,076 participants were studied (60% women, mean age 64.7 years (SD 8.3); 24 persons had erosive disease in the TB. The prevalence of erosive disease in first CMCJs was 2.2% (95% CI 1.4, 3.3). Only 0.5% (95% CI 0.2, 1.2) had erosive disease affecting IPJs and first CMCJs combined. More persons with erosive disease of first CMCJs reported pain in their TB than persons with radiographic TB OA, AUSCAN pain and function scores were similar.

CONCLUSION

Erosive disease of first CMCJs was present in 2.2% of subjects with hand pain and was often not accompanied by erosions in IPJs. Erosive disease was associated with TB pain, but not with the level of pain, when compared with radiographic TB OA.

An exploratory randomized controlled study of a healthy living intervention in early intervention services for psychosis: the INTERvention to encourage ACTivity, improve diet, and reduce weight gain (INTERACT) study

BACKGROUND

People with psychosis often experience weight gain, which places them at risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and early death.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the uptake, adherence, and clinical effectiveness of a healthy living intervention designed to reduce weight gain.

METHOD

An exploratory randomized controlled trial, comparing the intervention with treatment as usual (TAU) in 2 early intervention services for psychosis in England. DSM-IV classification was the diagnostic criteria used to assign the psychiatric diagnoses. The primary outcome was change in body mass index (BMI) from baseline to 12-month follow-up. The study was conducted between February 2009 and October 2012.

RESULTS

105 service users, with a BMI of ≥ 25 (≥ 24 in South Asians), were randomized to intervention (n = 54) or TAU (n = 51) after stratification by recent commencement of antipsychotic medication. Ninety-three service users (89%) were followed up at 12 months. Between-group difference in change in BMI was not significant (effect size = 0.11). The effect of the intervention was larger (effect size = 0.54, not significant) in 15 intervention (28%) and 10 TAU (20%) participants who were taking olanzapine or clozapine at randomization.

CONCLUSIONS

The healthy living intervention did not show a significant difference in BMI reduction compared to the TAU group.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.isrctn.org identifier: ISRCTN22581937.

Barriers to recruiting ethnic minorities to mental health research: a systematic review

Disparities in the prevalence of mental illness are widely reported for people from ethnic minorities. Unlike the United States, there is no legislation for clinical research in the UK to mandate the inclusion of ethnic minorities and they are underrepresented in European trials compared with those conducted in the United States. This restricts generalization of research findings. This systematic review of the barriers to the recruitment of ethnic minority participants into psychiatric research is based on a comprehensive literature search. Nine included papers explore such barriers based on the authors' and participants' experiences of research. These barriers are mainly categorized as: participant related, practical issues, family/community related, health service related and research process issues. This review provides a compilation of important barriers to recruitment which can facilitate future research. The barriers that were identified are not all unique to participants from ethnic minorities, although the way in which they manifest themselves is often distinct in minority groups. It is important that these barriers are considered when designing research design so that solutions to overcome such obstacles can be incorporated in research protocols from the start and appropriate resources allocated.

Prevalence of psychosomatic and other medical illnesses in anorexic and bulimic patients

The occurrence of psychosomatic disorders (PSD) in patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa has rarely been investigated. We examined the prevalence of four psychosomatic disorders [peptic ulcer (PU), bronchial asthma (BA), neurodermatitis (ND), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)] in patients consecutively admitted to an eating disorders (ED) program. Responses to a validated questionnaire and clinical file information were obtained from 152 patients, 60% of whom were bulimic and 40% were anorexic. The average age of the patients was 27.5 years and all but two patients were female. There was a higher life-time prevalence of the psychosomatic disorders among anorexics compared with bulimic patients, except for RA. PU and BA were reported by 10% of anorexics compared with 7.6% and 8.7%, respectively, by bulimic patients. RA was rare in both anorexic (1.6%) and bulimic patients (5.4%). The young age of the patients under study was to be considered limiting the life-time prevalence. The study contains epidemiological data on the prevalence of other medical illnesses in ED patients as well as the prevalence of PSD and eating disorders in their families.

The UK national evaluation of the development and impact of Early Intervention Services (the National EDEN studies): study rationale, design and baseline characteristics

AIMS

National EDEN aims to evaluate the implementation and impact on key outcomes of somewhat differently configured Early Intervention Services (EIS) across sites in England and to develop a model of variance in patient outcomes that includes key variables of duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), fidelity to the EIS model and service engagement. The cohort is being followed up for two further years as patients are discharged, to observe the stability of change and the impact of the discharge settings.

METHODS

A longitudinal cohort study of patients with a first episode of a psychosis, managed by EIS in six services across England. Patients are followed up 12 months after inception, then up to 2 years following discharge. Measures of DUP, psychosis, social functioning and relapse were taken. User and carer experience of EIS were monitored over time; as was the fidelity of each EIS to national guidelines. Service use is costed for a health economic evaluation.

RESULTS

1027 people consented to the study of which 75% were successfully followed up at 12 months, with almost 100% data on treatment, relapse and recovery and service use.

CONCLUSIONS

National EDEN is the largest cohort study of young people with psychosis receiving care under EIS. It will be able definitively to indicate whether this major investment in the United Kingdom in EI is achieving meaningful change for its users in practice and provide indications concerning who does well under this approach and who does not, and the long-term stability of any improvements.

Pathways to violent behavior during first-episode psychosis: a report from the UK National EDEN Study

IMPORTANCE

Although many studies have explored the correlates of violence during first-episode psychosis (FEP), most have simply compared violent psychotic individuals with nonviolent psychotic individuals. Accumulating evidence suggests there may be subgroups within psychosis, differing in terms of developmental processes and proximal factors associated with violent behavior.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether there are subgroups of psychotic individuals characterized by different developmental trajectories to violent behavior.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The National EDEN (Evaluating the Development and Impact of Early Intervention Services in the West Midlands) Study longitudinal cohort assessed premorbid delinquency (premorbid adjustment adaptation subscale across childhood and adolescence), age at illness onset, duration of untreated psychosis, past drug use, positive symptoms, and violent behavior. Group trajectories of premorbid delinquency were estimated using latent class growth analysis, and associations with violent behavior were quantified. This study included 6 early intervention services in 5 geographical locations across England, with violent behavior information available for 670 first-episode psychosis cases.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Violent behavior at 6 or 12 months following early intervention services entry.

RESULTS

Four groups of premorbid delinquency were identified: stable low, adolescent-onset high to moderate, stable moderate, and stable high. Logistic regression analysis, with stable low delinquency as the reference group, demonstrated that moderate (odds ratio, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.12-3.46) and high (odds ratio, 3.53; 95% CI, 1.85-6.73) premorbid delinquency trajectories increased the risk for violent behavior during FEP. After controlling for confounders, path analysis demonstrated that the increased risk for violence in the moderate delinquency group was indirect (ie, partially mediated by positive symptoms) (probit coefficient [β] = 0.12; P = .002); while stable high delinquency directly increased the risk for violence (β = 0.38; P = .05).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

There appear to be diverse pathways to violent behavior during FEP. Stable high premorbid delinquency from childhood onwards appears to directly increase the risk for violent behavior, independent of psychosis-related risk factors. In addition to tackling illness-related risks, treatments should directly address antisocial traits as a potent risk for violence during FEP.

Randomised controlled trial of joint crisis plans to reduce compulsory treatment for people with psychosis: economic outcomes

BACKGROUND

Compulsory admission to psychiatric hospitals may be distressing, disruptive to patients and families, and associated with considerable cost to the health service. Improved patient experience and cost reductions could be realised by providing cost-effective crisis planning services.

METHODS

Economic evaluation within a multi-centre randomised controlled trial comparing Joint Crisis Plans (JCP) plus treatment as usual (TAU) to TAU alone for patients aged over 16, with at least one psychiatric hospital admission in the previous two years and on the Enhanced Care Programme Approach register. JCPs, containing the patient's treatment preferences for any future psychiatric emergency, are a form of crisis intervention that aim to mitigate the negative consequences of relapse, including hospital admission and use of coercion. Data were collected at baseline and 18-months after randomisation. The primary outcome was admission to hospital under the Mental Health Act. The economic evaluation took a service perspective (health, social care and criminal justice services) and a societal perspective (additionally including criminal activity and productivity losses).

FINDINGS

The addition of JCPs to TAU had no significant effect on compulsory admissions or total societal cost per participant over 18-months follow-up. From the service cost perspective, however, evidence suggests a higher probability (80%) of JCPs being the more cost-effective option. Exploration by ethnic group highlights distinct patterns of costs and effects. Whilst the evidence does not support the cost-effectiveness of JCPs for White or Asian ethnic groups, there is at least a 90% probability of the JCP intervention being the more cost-effective option in the Black ethnic group.

INTERPRETATION

The results by ethnic group are sufficiently striking to warrant further investigation into the potential for patient gain from JCPs among black patient groups.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN11501328.

Subsets of symptomatic hand osteoarthritis in community-dwelling older adults in the United Kingdom: prevalence, inter-relationships, risk factor profiles and clinical characteristics at baseline and 3-years

OBJECTIVE

To compare the population prevalence, inter-relationships, risk factor profiles and clinical characteristics of subsets of symptomatic hand osteoarthritis (OA) with a view to understanding their relative frequency and distinctiveness.

METHOD

1076 community-dwelling adults with hand symptoms (60% women, mean age 64.7 years) were recruited and classified into pre-defined subsets using physical examination and standardised hand radiographs, scored with the Kellgren & Lawrence (K&L) and Verbruggen-Veys grading systems. Detailed information on selected risk factors was obtained from direct measurement (Body Mass Index (BMI)), self-complete questionnaires (excessive use of hands, previous hand injury) and medical record review (hypertension, dyslipidaemia, type 2 diabetes). Hand pain and disability were self-reported at baseline and 3-year follow-up using Australian/Canadian Osteoarthritis Hand Index (AUSCAN).

RESULTS

Crude population prevalence estimates for symptomatic hand OA subsets in the adult population aged 50 years and over were: thumb base OA (22.4%), nodal interphalangeal joint (IPJ) OA (15.5%), generalised hand OA (10.4%), non-nodal IPJ OA (4.9%), erosive OA (1.0%). Apart from thumb base OA, there was considerable overlap between the subsets. Erosive OA appeared the most distinctive with the highest female: male ratio, and the most disability at baseline and 3-years. A higher frequency of obesity, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and metabolic syndrome was observed in this subset.

CONCLUSION

Overlap in the occurrence of hand OA subsets poses conceptual and practical challenges to the pursuit of distinct phenotypes. Erosive OA may nevertheless provide particular insight into the role of metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in the pathogenesis of OA.

Supported employment for adults with severe mental illness

BACKGROUND

People who suffer from severe mental disorder experience high rates of unemployment. Supported employment is an approach to vocational rehabilitation that involves trying to place clients in competitive jobs without any extended preparation. The Individual placement and support (IPS) model is a carefully specified form of supported employment.

OBJECTIVES

1. To review the effectiveness of supported employment compared with other approaches to vocational rehabilitation or treatment as usual.2. Secondary objectives were to establish how far:(a) fidelity to the IPS model affects the effectiveness of supported employment,(b) the effectiveness of supported employment can be augmented by the addition of other interventions.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group Trials Register (February 2010), which is compiled by systematic searches of major databases, handsearches and conference proceedings.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All relevant randomised clinical trials focusing on people with severe mental illness, of working age (normally 16 to 70 years), where supported employment was compared with other vocational approaches or treatment as usual. Outcomes such as days in employment, job stability, global state, social functioning, mental state, quality of life, satisfaction and costs were sought.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors (YK and KK) independently extracted data. For binary outcomes, we calculated risk ratio (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI), on an intention-to-treat basis. For continuous data, we estimated mean difference (MD) between groups and its 95% (CI). We employed a fixed-effect model for analyses. A random-effects model was also employed where heterogeneity was present.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of 14 randomised controlled trials were included in this review (total 2265 people). In terms of our primary outcome (employment: days in competitive employment, over one year follow-up), supported employment seems to significantly increase levels of any employment obtained during the course of studies (7 RCTs, n = 951, RR 3.24 CI 2.17 to 4.82, very low quality of evidence). Supported employment also seems to increase length of competitive employment when compared with other vocational approaches (1 RCT, n = 204, MD 70.63 CI 43.22 to 94.04, very low quality evidence). Supported employment also showed some advantages in other secondary outcomes. It appears to increase length (in days) of any form of paid employment (2 RCTs, n = 510, MD 84.94 CI 51.99 to 117.89, very low quality evidence) and job tenure (weeks) for competitive employment (1 RCT, n = 204, MD 9.86 CI 5.36 to 14.36, very low quality evidence) and any paid employment (3 RCTs, n = 735, MD 3.86 CI -2.94 to 22.17, very low quality evidence). Furthermore, one study indicated a decreased time to first competitive employment in the long term for people in supported employment (1 RCT, n = 204, MD -161.60 CI -225.73 to -97.47, very low quality evidence). A large amount of data were considerably skewed, and therefore not included in meta-analysis, which makes any meaningful interpretation of the vast amount of data very difficult.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The limited available evidence suggests that supported employment is effective in improving a number of vocational outcomes relevant to people with severe mental illness, though there appears to exist some overall risk of bias in terms of the quality of individual studies. All studies should report a standard set of vocational and non-vocational outcomes that are relevant to the consumers and policy-makers. Studies with longer follow-up should be conducted to answer or address the critical question about durability of effects.

Reducing duration of untreated psychosis: care pathways to early intervention in psychosis services

BACKGROUND

Interventions to reduce treatment delay in first-episode psychosis have met with mixed results. Systematic reviews highlight the need for greater understanding of delays within the care pathway if successful strategies are to be developed.

AIMS

To document the care-pathway components of duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and their link with delays in accessing specialised early intervention services (EIS). To model the likely impact on efforts to reduce DUP of targeted changes in the care pathway.

METHOD

Data for 343 individuals from the Birmingham, UK, lead site of the National EDEN cohort study were analysed.

RESULTS

A third of the cohort had a DUP exceeding 6 months. The greatest contribution to DUP for the whole cohort came from delays within mental health services, followed by help-seeking delays. It was found that delay in reaching EIS was strongly correlated with longer DUP.

CONCLUSIONS

Community education and awareness campaigns to reduce DUP may be constrained by later delays within mental health services, especially access to EIS. Our methodology, based on analysis of care pathways, will have international application when devising strategies to reduce DUP.

Supporting the care of children with diabetes in school: a qualitative study of nurses in the UK

AIMS

Intensification of diabetes management in children and young people has implications for schools. The aim of this study was to examine the role of nurses in supporting care of children with diabetes in schools and early years settings.

METHODS

The qualitative design incorporated focus groups and individual telephone interviews with nurses who were unavailable to participate in focus groups. A purposive sample of 47 nurses from acute and community settings, participated in eight focus groups and eight telephone interviews. Data were analysed through a process of constant comparison.

RESULTS

Nurses identified an ambiguous and inadequate legal and policy framework. The responses of schools were variable and unpredictable because the views of head teachers determined the level of cooperation. School staff could lack basic knowledge about Type 1 diabetes. Relationships between school staff and parents could also affect their willingness to provide support for diabetes care. The skills of negotiating appropriate support for children with diabetes were learnt by experience rather than through formal training or evidence-based guidance. Nurses' accounts demonstrated uncertainties about: what could be required of schools; how schools would respond; individual responsibilities; and about what constituted best practice.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for more evidence about how healthcare providers can influence schools and about the most cost-effective use of nurses to support the management of children with diabetes in schools.

Clinical outcomes of Joint Crisis Plans to reduce compulsory treatment for people with psychosis: a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The CRIMSON (CRisis plan IMpact: Subjective and Objective coercion and eNgagement) study is an individual level, randomised controlled trial that compared the effectiveness of Joint Crisis Plans (JCPs) with treatment as usual for people with severe mental illness. The JCP is a negotiated statement by a patient of treatment preferences for any future psychiatric emergency, when he or she might be unable to express clear views. We assessed whether the additional use of JCPs improved patient outcomes compared with treatment as usual.

METHODS

Patients were eligible if they had at least one psychiatric admission in the previous 2 years and were on the Enhanced Care Programme Approach register. The study was done with 64 generic and specialist community mental health teams in four English mental health care provider organisations (trusts). Hypotheses tested were that, compared with the control group, the intervention group would experience: fewer compulsory admissions (primary outcome); fewer psychiatric admissions; shorter psychiatric stays; lower perceived coercion; improved therapeutic relationships; and improved engagement. We stratified participants by centre. The research team but not participants nor clinical staff were masked to allocation. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number ISRCTN11501328.

FINDINGS

569 participants were randomly assigned (285 to the intervention group and 284 to the control group). No significant treatment effect was seen for the primary outcome (56 [20%] sectioned in the control group and 49 [18%] in the JCP group; odds ratio 0·90 [95% CI 0·58-1·39, p=0·63]) or any secondary outcomes, with the exception of an improved secondary outcome of therapeutic relationships (17·3 [7·6] vs 16·0 [7·1]; adjusted difference -1·28 [95% CI -2·56 to -0·01, p=0·049]). Qualitative data supported this finding.

INTERPRETATION

Our findings are inconsistent with two earlier JCP studies, and show that the JCP is not significantly more effective than treatment as usual. There is evidence to suggest the JCPs were not fully implemented in all study sites, and were combined with routine clinical review meetings which did not actively incorporate patients' preferences. The study therefore raises important questions about implementing new interventions in routine clinical practice.

FUNDING

Medical Research Council UK and the National Institute for Health Research.

Resolving an individual one-proton spin flip to determine a proton spin state

Previous measurements with a single trapped proton (p) or antiproton (p) detected spin resonance from the increased scatter of frequency measurements caused by many spin flips. Here a measured correlation confirms that individual spin transitions and states are rapidly detected instead. The 96% fidelity and an efficiency expected to approach unity suggests that it may be possible to use quantum jump spectroscopy to measure the p and p magnetic moments much more precisely.

One-particle measurement of the antiproton magnetic moment

For the first time a single trapped antiproton (p) is used to measure the p magnetic moment μ(p). The moment μ(p)=μ(p)S/(ℏ/2) is given in terms of its spin S and the nuclear magneton (μ(N)) by μ(p)/μ(N)=-2.792 845±0.000 012. The 4.4 parts per million (ppm) uncertainty is 680 times smaller than previously realized. Comparing to the proton moment measured using the same method and trap electrodes gives μ(p)/μ(p)=-1.000 000±0.000 005 to 5 ppm, for a proton moment μ(p)=μ(p)S/(ℏ/2), consistent with the prediction of the CPT theorem.

CT enterography: review of technique and practical tips

CT enterography is a new non-invasive imaging technique that offers superior small bowel visualisation compared with standard abdomino-pelvic CT, and provides complementary diagnostic information to capsule endoscopy and MRI enterography. CT enterography is well tolerated by patients and enables accurate, efficient assessment of pathology arising from the small bowel wall or surrounding organs. This article reviews the clinical role of CT enterography, and offers practical tips for optimising technique and accurate interpretation.