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Byng R, Kirkpatrick T, Lennox C, Warren FC, Anderson R, Brand SL, Callaghan L, Carroll L, Durcan G, Gill L, Goodier S, Graham J, Greer R, Haddad M, Harris T, Henley W, Hunter R, Leonard S, Maguire M, Michie S, Owens C, Pearson M, Quinn C, Rybczynska-Bunt S, Stevenson C, Stewart A, Stirzaker A, Todd R, Walter F, Weston L, Wright N, Taylor RS, Shaw J. Evaluation of a complex intervention for prisoners with common mental health problems, near to and after release: the Engager randomised controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry 2023; 222:18-26. [PMID: 35978272 PMCID: PMC10895504 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2022.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many male prisoners have significant mental health problems, including anxiety and depression. High proportions struggle with homelessness and substance misuse. AIMS This study aims to evaluate whether the Engager intervention improves mental health outcomes following release. METHOD The design is a parallel randomised superiority trial that was conducted in the North West and South West of England (ISRCTN11707331). Men serving a prison sentence of 2 years or less were individually allocated 1:1 to either the intervention (Engager plus usual care) or usual care alone. Engager included psychological and practical support in prison, on release and for 3-5 months in the community. The primary outcome was the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), 6 months after release. Primary analysis compared groups based on intention-to-treat (ITT). RESULTS In total, 280 men were randomised out of the 396 who were potentially eligible and agreed to participate; 105 did not meet the mental health inclusion criteria. There was no mean difference in the ITT complete case analysis between groups (92 in each arm) for change in the CORE-OM score (1.1, 95% CI -1.1 to 3.2, P = 0.325) or secondary analyses. There were no consistent clinically significant between-group differences for secondary outcomes. Full delivery was not achieved, with 77% (108/140) receiving community-based contact. CONCLUSIONS Engager is the first trial of a collaborative care intervention adapted for prison leavers. The intervention was not shown to be effective using standard outcome measures. Further testing of different support strategies for prison with mental health problems is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Byng
- Community and Primary Care Research Group, University of Plymouth, UK
| | - Tim Kirkpatrick
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Charlotte Lennox
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, UK
| | | | - Rob Anderson
- College of Medicine & Health, University of Exeter, UK
| | | | - Lynne Callaghan
- Community and Primary Care Research Group, University of Plymouth, UK
| | - Lauren Carroll
- Community and Primary Care Research Group, University of Plymouth, UK
| | - Graham Durcan
- Centre for Mental Health, South Bank Technopark, London, UK
| | - Laura Gill
- Community and Primary Care Research Group, University of Plymouth, UK
| | - Sara Goodier
- Community and Primary Care Research Group, University of Plymouth, UK
| | - Jonathan Graham
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Rebecca Greer
- Community and Primary Care Research Group, University of Plymouth, UK
| | | | | | | | - Rachael Hunter
- Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, Royal Free Medical School, UK
| | - Sarah Leonard
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Mike Maguire
- Centre for Criminology, University of South Wales, UK
| | - Susan Michie
- Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, Royal Free Medical School, UK
| | | | - Mark Pearson
- Wolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, UK
| | - Cath Quinn
- Community and Primary Care Research Group, University of Plymouth, UK
| | | | | | - Amy Stewart
- Community and Primary Care Research Group, University of Plymouth, UK
| | - Alex Stirzaker
- South West Mental Health Clinical Network, NHS England, UK
| | - Roxanne Todd
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Florian Walter
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Lauren Weston
- Community and Primary Care Research Group, University of Plymouth, UK
| | | | - Rod S Taylor
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit & Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, Institute of Health and Well Being, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Jenny Shaw
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, UK and Greater Manchester Manchester Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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