Recovering Quality of Life (ReQoL): a new generic self-reported outcome measure for use with people experiencing mental health difficulties

Evaluating a volunteer 'Health Champions' intervention supporting people with severe mental illness to manage their physical health: feasibility hybrid randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

People with severe mental illness (SMI) have worse physical health than the general population. There is evidence that support from volunteers can help the mental health of people with SMI, but little evidence regarding the support they can give for physical health.

AIMS

To evaluate the feasibility of an intervention where volunteer 'Health Champions' support people with SMI in managing their physical health.

METHOD

A feasibility hybrid randomised controlled trial conducted in mental health teams with people with SMI. Volunteers delivered the Health Champions intervention. We collected data on the feasibility of delivering the intervention, and clinical and cost-effectiveness. Participants were randomised by a statistician independent of the research team, to either having a Health Champion or treatment as usual. Blinding was not done.

RESULTS

We recruited 48 participants: 27 to the intervention group and 21 to the control group. Data were analysed for 34 participants. No changes were found in clinical effectiveness for either group. Implementation outcomes measures showed high acceptability, feasibility and appropriateness, but with low response rates. No adverse events were identified in either group. Interviews with participants found they identified changes they had made to their physical health. The cost of implementing the intervention was £312 per participant.

CONCLUSIONS

The Health Champion intervention was feasible to implement, but the implementation of the study measures was problematic. Participants found the intervention acceptable, feasible and appropriate, and it led them to make changes in their physical health. A larger trial is recommended, with tailored implementation outcome measures.

Development of a novel patient reported outcome measure for health-related quality of life in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PROQuALS): study protocol

BACKGROUND

Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) can be used to assess the impact of health conditions upon an individual's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Whilst PROMs have been used to quantify the HRQoL impact of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), existing instruments may not fully capture what matters to people living with ALS (plwALS) or be appropriate to be used directly to inform the cost-effectiveness of new treatments. This highlights a need for a new condition-specific PROM that can both capture what's important to plwALS and be used in economic evaluation. This study has two key aims: 1) to produce a novel PROM for measuring HRQoL in plwALS (PROQuALS). 2) to value a set of items from the novel PROM to generate an associated preference-weighted measure (PWM) that will enable utility values to be generated.

METHODS

A mixed-methods study design will be conducted across three stages. Stage 1 involves concept elicitation and the generation of draft PROM content from a robust and comprehensive systematic review of HRQoL in ALS, with input from plwALS. Stage 2 consists of cognitive debriefing of the draft PROM content to ascertain its content validity (Stage 2a), followed by a psychometric survey (Stage 2b) to assess statistical performance. Evidence from Stage 2 will be used to make decisions on the final content and format of the novel PROM. Stage 3 will involve valuation and econometric modeling using health economics methods to generate preference weights, so a PWM derived from the novel PROM can be used in the cost-effectiveness analyses of treatments. Patient and clinical advisory groups will have critical, collaborative input throughout the project.

DISCUSSION

The novel PROM will be designed to comprehensively assess important aspects of HRQoL to plwALS and to quantify HRQoL in terms of subjective impact. The PROQuALS measure will be available for use in research and healthcare settings. The associated PWM component will extend and enable the use of PROQuALS in cost-effective analyses of new treatments for ALS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not applicable.

A Transdiagnostic Video-Based Internet Intervention (Uni Virtual Clinic-Lite) to Improve the Mental Health of University Students: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of digital interventions for improving the mental health of university students. However, low rates of engagement with these interventions are an ongoing challenge and can compromise effectiveness. Brief, transdiagnostic, web-based video interventions are capable of targeting key mental health and related issues affecting university students and may be more engaging and accessible for this population.

OBJECTIVE

This study used a 2-arm randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Uni Virtual Clinic-Lite (UVC-Lite), a fully automated, transdiagnostic, web-based video intervention, relative to an attention-control condition. The primary outcomes were symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety disorder. The secondary outcomes included psychological distress, social anxiety symptoms, body appreciation, quality of life, well-being, functioning, general self-efficacy, academic self-efficacy, and help seeking. Program use (intervention uptake and engagement) and satisfaction were also assessed.

METHODS

University students (n=487) with mild to moderate symptoms of distress were recruited from universities across Australia and randomly allocated to receive access to the UVC-Lite intervention or an attention-control condition targeting general health for a period of 6 weeks. UVC-Lite includes 12 modules, each comprising a brief animated video and an accompanying exercise. Of the 12 modules, 7 also included a brief symptom screening quiz. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 3- and 6-months postintervention.

RESULTS

The primary and secondary outcomes were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis using mixed models repeated measures ANOVA. The intervention was not found to be effective relative to the control condition on any of the primary or secondary outcomes. While 67.9% (114/168) of participants accessed at least 1 module of the intervention, module completion was extremely low. Subgroup analyses among those who engaged with the program (completed at least 1 video) and those with higher baseline distress (Distress Questionnaire-5 score ≥15) did not reveal any differences between the conditions over time. However, uptake (accessing at least 1 video) and engagement (completing at least 1 video) were higher among those with higher baseline symptoms. Satisfaction with the intervention was high.

CONCLUSIONS

The UVC-Lite intervention was not effective relative to a control program, although it was associated with high satisfaction among students and was not associated with symptom deterioration. Given the challenges faced by universities in meeting demand for mental health services, flexible and accessible interventions such as UVC-Lite have the potential to assist students to manage symptoms of mental health problems. However, low uptake and engagement (particularly among students with lower levels of symptomatology) are significant challenges that require further attention. Future studies should examine the effectiveness of the intervention in a more highly symptomatic sample, as well as implementation pathways to optimize effective engagement with the intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12621000375853; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=380146.

Cost-Utility Analysis of Antipsychotic Reduction and Discontinuation in Patients With Long-Term Schizophrenia and Psychosis in English Mental Health Trusts: The RADAR Study

OBJECTIVES

The current recommended treatment for patients with recurrent episodes of schizophrenia and related conditions is antipsychotic medication. However, many antipsychotic users remain functionally impaired and experience serious physical and mental side effects. This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of a gradual antipsychotic reduction and discontinuation strategy compared with maintenance treatment over 24 months from mental health services, health and social care, and societal perspectives.

METHODS

Nineteen mental health trusts recruited patients to the Research into Antipsychotic Discontinuation and Reduction (RADAR) randomized controlled trial. Quality-adjusted life-years were calculated from patient-reported EQ-5D-5L, with years of full capability calculated from the patient-reported ICECAP-A. Mental health services use and medication was collected from medical records. Other resource use and productivity loss was collected using self-completed questionnaires. Costs were calculated from published sources.

RESULTS

A total of 253 participants were randomized: 126 assigned to antipsychotic dose reduction and 127 to maintenance. There were no significant differences between arms in total costs for any perspectives. There were no significant difference in quality-adjusted life-years (-0.035; 95% CI: -0.123 to 0.052), whereas years of full capability were significantly lower in the reduction arm compared with the maintenance arm (baseline-adjusted difference: -0.103; 95% CI: -0.192 to -0.014). The reduction strategy was dominated by maintenance for all analyses and was not likely to be cost-effective.

CONCLUSIONS

It is unlikely that gradual antipsychotic reduction and discontinuation strategy is cost-effective compared with maintenance over 2-years for patients with schizophrenia and other recurrent psychotic disorders who are on long-term antipsychotics.

Associations between readmission and patient-reported measures in acute psychiatric inpatients: a multicenter prospective longitudinal study

PURPOSE

This study examined whether patient-reported measures (PRMs) addressing quality of life, personal agency, functional impairment, and treatment satisfaction at hospital discharge were associated with future readmission during a 12-month follow-up period. The study also examined whether readmission influenced changes in the same measures.

METHODS

A multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted at 21 psychiatric hospitals in Japan. Participants completed the EuroQol-five-dimensions-five-level (EQ-5D), the Five-item Subjective Personal Agency Scale, and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) at the time of index admission (T1), discharge from index admission (T2), and 6 months (T3) and 12 months (T4) after discharge. Inpatient treatment satisfaction was assessed at T2. Readmission and variables potentially associated with hospitalization and PRMs were evaluated using mixed-effects logistic regression models and mixed models for repeated measures.

RESULTS

A total of 491 participants were followed for 12 months (attrition rate: 19.4%), and 480 were included in the EQ-5D analysis. The most common diagnoses were schizophrenia (59%), depression (14%), and bipolar disorder (13%). No patient-reported measures were significantly associated with readmission over the follow-up period. Interaction of readmission and time did not significantly affect changes in EQ-5D. Readmission did significantly influence SDS score changes between T2 and T3 (B = 1.78, 95% CI = 0.30-3.25, p = 0.018) and between T3 and T4 (B = 1.43, 95% CI = 0.14-2.72, p = 0.029). The same influence of readmission on SDS score changes was not observed in the model which adjusted for all potential covariates.

CONCLUSION

Readmission was potentially associated with changes in self-reported functional impairment. Findings highlight the potential role of intensive post-discharge services in preventing readmission, rather than relying on time-of-discharge PRMs in order to predict readmission risk.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered in UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000034220).

Staff and client preferences for the design and delivery of an outcomes monitoring system in a mental health service

BACKGROUND

Outcome monitoring can support the delivery of quality service that meets the needs of clients, clinicians and services. However, few studies have examined client or staff perspectives on the design and implementation of outcomes monitoring within a service. Implementation of outcomes monitoring requires understanding the preferences and expectations of relevant stakeholders.

OBJECTIVE

Informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, this study aimed to investigate the preferences and priorities of relevant staff, clients and family members to inform the design and implementation of an effective outcomes monitoring system in the context of a mental health service for military veterans and their families.

METHOD

Twenty-nine staff participated across five online focus groups, including clinical staff, peer workers, policy staff and supervisors. Ten clients participated in online or telephone semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to develop themes from the data.

RESULTS

Clients and staff agreed that outcomes monitoring should cover more than symptoms, particularly by incorporating functional outcomes. Assessing mental health over time was considered a valuable tool for supporting treatment processes and providing actionable information. Challenges identified by clients and staff included the need for efficient processes, ensuring measures are relevant and acceptable, and maintaining client privacy. The ability to personalise data collection and have a streamlined, responsive system were key attributes of a quality outcomes monitoring framework.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that an effective outcome monitoring framework should be client-led, tailored to the individual's needs, and provide feedback on progress. Outcomes monitoring should also be efficient, accessible and allow for safe information sharing.

Study protocol for an adaptive, multi-arm, multi-stage (MAMS) randomised controlled trial of brief remotely delivered psychosocial interventions for people with serious mental health problems who have experienced a recent suicidal crisis: Remote Approaches to Psychosocial Intervention Delivery (RAPID)

BACKGROUND

People with serious mental health problems (SMHP) are more likely to be admitted to psychiatric hospital following contact with crisis services. Admissions can have significant personal costs, be traumatic and are the most expensive form of mental health care. There is an urgent need for treatments to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviours and reduce avoidable psychiatric admissions.

METHODS

A multi-stage, multi-arm (MAMS) randomised controlled trial (RCT) with four arms conducted over two stages to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of three psychosocial treatments, compared to treatment as usual (TAU), for people with SMHP who have had recent suicidal crisis. Primary outcome is any psychiatric hospital admissions over a 6-month period. We will assess the impact on suicidal thoughts and behaviour, hope, recovery, anxiety and depression. The remote treatments delivered over 3 months are structured peer support (PREVAIL); a safety planning approach (SAFETEL) delivered by assistant psychologists; and a CBT-based suicide prevention app accessed via a smartphone (BrighterSide). Recruitment is at five UK sites. Stage 1 includes an internal pilot with a priori progression criteria. In stage 1, the randomisation ratio was 1:1:1:2 in favour of TAU. This has been amended to 2:2:3 in favour of TAU following an unplanned change to remove the BrighterSide arm following the release of efficacy data from an independent RCT. Randomisation is via an independent remote web-based randomisation system using randomly permuted blocks, stratified by site. An interim analysis will be performed using data from the first 385 participants from PREVAIL, SAFETEL and TAU with outcome data at 6 months. If one arm is dropped for lack of benefit in stage 2, the allocation ratio of future participants will be 1:1. The expected total sample size is 1064 participants (1118 inclusive of BrighterSide participants).

DISCUSSION

There is a need for evidence-based interventions to reduce psychiatric admissions, via reduction of suicidality. Our focus on remote delivery of established brief psychosocial interventions, utilisation of different modalities of delivery that can provide sustainable and scalable solutions, which are also suitable for a pandemic or national crisis context, will significantly advance treatment options.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN33079589. Registered on June 20, 2022.

A longitudinal study of the impacts of a stay in a Prevention and Recovery Care service in Victoria, Australia

BACKGROUND

Prevention and Recovery Care services are residential sub-acute services in Victoria, Australia, guided by a commitment to recovery-oriented practice. The evidence regarding the effectiveness of this service model is limited, largely relying on small, localised evaluations. This study involved a state-wide investigation into the personal recovery, perceived needs for care, well-being and quality-of-life outcomes experienced by Prevention and Recovery Care services' consumers.

METHODS

A longitudinal cohort design examined the trajectory of self-reported personal recovery and other outcomes for consumers in 19 Victorian Prevention and Recovery Care services over 4 time points (T1 - 1 week after admission; T2 - within 1 week of discharge; T3 - 6 months after discharge; T4 - 12 months after discharge). T2-T4 time frames were extended by approximately 3 weeks due to recruitment challenges. The Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery was the primary outcome measure.

RESULTS

At T1, 298 consumers were recruited. By T4, 114 remained in the study. Participants scored higher on the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery at all three time points after T1. There were also sustained improvements on all secondary outcome measures. Improvements were then sustained at each subsequent post-intervention time point. Community inclusion and having needs for care met also improved.

CONCLUSION

The findings provide a consistent picture of benefits for consumers using Prevention and Recovery Care services, with significant improvement in personal recovery, quality of life, mental health and well-being following an admission to a Prevention and Recovery Care service. Further attention needs to be given to how to sustain the gains made through a Prevention and Recovery Care service admission in the long term.

Influence of Lifestyle Factors on Metabolic Syndrome in Psychiatric Patients Attending a Community Mental Health Setting: A Cross-sectional Study

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a concern in psychiatric patients. We aimed to study the influence of the modifiable lifestyle factors on MetS in adult psychiatric patients along with associated clinical factors and quality of life.

Methods

Factors such as diet (Healthy Eating Index), exercise, substance use, cardiovascular risk (QRISK), illness severity (Clinical Global Impression), medications, adverse events (Systematic Monitoring of Adverse Events Related to Treatments), and quality of life (Recovering Quality of Life Scale) were assessed along with clinical components for MetS in 323 psychiatric patients receiving routine care and monitoring in a Community Mental Health Team.

Results

MetS was present in 50.5% (95% CI: 45.0-55.9). It was significantly associated with higher age, duration of mental illness, body mass index (BMI), QTc, QRISK, and antipsychotic drugs. In logistic regression, age, QTc, QRISK, and BMI remained significantly linked to MetS. Patients with or without MetS were comparable in their lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and substance use, along with the family history of metabolic disorders, age at onset of mental illness, duration of antipsychotic medication, side effects, psychiatric diagnoses, and quality of life. However, many patients with or without MetS had poorer diet and physical inactivity, indicating scope for interventions.

Conclusions

Around half of the psychiatric patients had MetS, and modifiable lifestyle factors did not differentiate individuals with or without MetS. The need for further research on the prevention and management of MetS in psychiatric patients is highlighted.

A Brief Workplace Training Program to Support Help-Seeking for Mental Ill-Health: Protocol for the Helipad Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Most people with mental health problems do not seek help, with delays of even decades in seeking professional help. Lack of engagement with professional mental health services can lead to poor outcomes and functional impairment. However, few effective interventions have been identified to improve help-seeking in adults, and those that exist are not widely implemented to deliver public health impact. Co-designing interventions with people with lived experience of mental ill-health and other relevant stakeholders is critical to increase the likelihood of uptake and engagement with these programs.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to (1) test the effectiveness of a co-designed help-seeking program on increasing professional help-seeking intentions in employees in a workplace setting; (2) determine whether the program reduces mental illness stigma and improves help-seeking intentions and behavior, mental health literacy, mental health symptoms, and work and activity functioning relative to the control condition; (3) explore factors that facilitate broader implementation of the co-designed program; and (4) explore the cost-effectiveness of the co-designed program compared to the control condition over 6 months.

METHODS

A 2-arm cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted (target sample: N=900 from 30 to 36 workplaces, with n=25 to 35 participants per workplace). The trial will compare the relative effectiveness of an enhanced interactive program (intervention condition) with a standard psychoeducation-alone program (active control condition) on the primary outcome of professional help-seeking intentions as measured by the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include the impact on mental illness stigma; mental health literacy; help-seeking attitudes and behavior; work and activity functioning; quality of life; and symptoms of mental ill-health including depression, anxiety, and general psychological distress.

RESULTS

Facilitators of and risks to the trial are identified and addressed in this protocol. Recruitment of workplaces is scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2024.

CONCLUSIONS

If effective, the program has the potential to be ready for rapid dissemination throughout Australia, with the potential to increase appropriate and efficient service use across the spectrum of evidence-based services.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12623000270617p; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=385376.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/55529.

From not knowing to doing: An interprofessional approach to clinician training in use of Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) as a recovery-oriented outcome measure in a rural mental health service

Outcome measurement and feedback are key to quality improvement in healthcare. Goal attainment scaling (GAS) is a tool that could be used to measure outcomes of mental health services delivering recovery-oriented care. The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of tailored, interprofessional, multilevel and adaptable GAS training on clinician views, learning, competence, performance and confidence in the use of GAS. Thematic analysis of eight clinician participant views was done using the method proposed by Braun and Clarke (Thematic analysis: a practical guide to understanding and doing, 2022). Four main themes were generated: clinicians found that this type of training is useful, GAS influenced the way they thought about their roles in goal setting and recovery-oriented care and COVID-19 pandemic impacts. Furthermore, clinicians' skills to set scalable GAS goals with consumers and clinician confidence in using GAS improved. The results of this study show a positive impact of tailored, interprofessional, multilevel and adaptable training supporting development of clinician skills in the GAS process. The training design had a favourable effect on clinician views, learning, competence, performance and confidence of GAS as a recovery-oriented outcome measure. The approach to GAS training and use of GAS as a recovery-oriented outcome measure should be considered in response to mental health service reform.

Comparative effectiveness of digital mental healthcare models for adults with epilepsy: A study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Mental health complaints are prevalent among people with epilepsy, yet there are major barriers that prevent access to psychological care, including high out-of-pocket costs and a lack of accessible specialized services. The purpose of the current study is to examine the comparative efficacy, acceptability, cost-effectiveness, and long-term outcomes of a digital psychological intervention when delivered under two models of care (i.e., guided vs. unguided) in supporting the mental health and functioning of adults with epilepsy.

METHOD

Approximately 375 participants across Australia will be enrolled. Eligible participants will have a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy, experience difficulties with their emotional health, be at least 18 years of age, and live in Australia. Participants will be randomized (2:2:1) to receive the Wellbeing Neuro Course, a 10-week internet-delivered program, with (i.e., guided) or without guidance by a mental health clinician (i.e., unguided), or be allocated to a treatment-as-usual waiting-list control group. Participants will complete online questionnaires at pre-, post-treatment, and 3- and 12-month follow-up and consent to have their data linked to their medical records to capture healthcare system resource use and costs.

ANALYSIS

Primary outcome measures will be symptoms of depression and anxiety. A cost-utility analysis will be undertaken using the Australian healthcare system perspective and according to current economic evaluation guidelines. Resource use and costs to the healthcare system during the study period will be captured via data linkage to relevant administrative datasets in Australia.

SIGNIFICANCE

The results of this trial will provide important data concerning the relative outcomes of these different models of care and will inform the integration of digital psychological interventions translation into healthcare services.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Human Research Ethics Committee of Macquarie University approved the proposed study (Reference No: 520231325151475). The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication(s).

ANZCTR TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12623001327673.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

This study seeks to find out if a 10-week online psychological treatment can improve the mental health and well-being of Australian adults with epilepsy. Around 375 participants will be randomly assigned to different groups: one will receive treatment with guidance from mental health clinician (guided group), one without guidance (unguided group), and one starting later (waiting control group). All participants will fill out the same outcome measures online. The main goal of this research is to compare these groups and assess how well the treatment works in improving mental health outcomes.

Motiv8: a study protocol for a cluster-randomised feasibility trial of a weight management intervention for adults with severe mental illness in secure forensic services

INTRODUCTION

People with severe mental illness have physical comorbidities which result in significant reductions in quality of life and premature mortality. Effective interventions are required that are suitable for people in secure forensic mental health services. We conducted pilot work of a multidisciplinary weight management intervention (Motiv8) which showed improvements in physical and mental health and high levels of satisfaction. We aim to test the feasibility of Motiv8 under cluster randomised conditions, with an aim to investigate the acceptability, feasibility and potential effectiveness of this intervention to supplement standard secure care.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A randomised waitlist-controlled feasibility trial of a lifestyle intervention (Motiv8) + TAU compared with TAU (+ Motiv8 waitlist) for adults on secure mental health units will be conducted. Thirty-two people (4 cohorts) will be recruited from secure services in Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Participants will be randomly allocated to Motiv8 or TAU + Motiv8 waitlist. All participants will receive Motiv8 during the trial. Assessor-blinded physical/mental health and lifestyle assessments will be conducted at baseline, 10 weeks (post-intervention/waitlist), and after 12 weeks (post-waitlist intervention/follow-up). Motiv8 is a multidisciplinary intervention including exercise sessions, cooking/nutrition classes, physical health education, psychology sessions, sleep hygiene, peer support and medication review by pharmacy. A nested qualitative study will be conducted with a subsample of participants (n = 10) to explore their experiences of taking part. The analysis will focus on feasibility outcomes and tabulated success indicators of the study (e.g. Recruitment rates, retention rates, follow-up retention and response rates, attendance at sessions, the experience of involvement in the trial and delivery of the intervention, assessment of safety, development of a manualised intervention). Thematic analysis will be conducted through qualitative interviews. The analysis will aim to inform the development of a definitive trial.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The trial has been granted ethical approval from the NHS Health Research Authority and adopted onto the UK Clinical Research Network Portfolio. Findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications, professional and public networks, conferences and clinical services.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN13539285.

Examining how well economic evaluations capture the value of mental health

Health economics evidence informs health-care decision making, but the field has historically paid insufficient attention to mental health. Economic evaluations in health should define an appropriate scope for benefits and costs and how to value them. This Health Policy provides an overview of these processes and considers to what extent they capture the value of mental health. We suggest that although current practices are both transparent and justifiable, they have distinct limitations from the perspective of mental health. Most social value judgements, such as the exclusion of interindividual outcomes and intersectoral costs, diminish the value of improving mental health, and this reduction in value might be disproportionate compared with other types of health. Economic analyses might have disadvantaged interventions that improve mental health compared with physical health, but research is required to test the size of such differential effects and any subsequent effect on decision-making systems such as health technology assessment systems. Collaboration between health economics and the mental health sciences is crucial for achieving mental-physical health parity in evaluative frameworks and, ultimately, improving population mental health.

A crisis planning and monitoring intervention to reduce compulsory hospital readmissions (FINCH study): protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Rates of compulsory (also known as involuntary) detention under mental health legislation have been rising over several decades in countries including England. Avoiding such detentions should be a high priority given their potentially traumatic nature and departure from usual ethical principles of consent and collaboration. Those who have been detained previously are at high risk of being detained again, and thus a priority group for preventive interventions. In a very sparse literature, interventions based on crisis planning emerge as having more supporting evidence than other approaches to preventing compulsory detention.

METHOD

We have adapted and manualised an intervention previously trialled in Zürich Switzerland, aimed at reducing future compulsory detentions among people being discharged following a psychiatric admission that has included a period of compulsory detention. A co-production group including people with relevant lived and clinical experience has co-designed the adaptations to the intervention, drawing on evidence on crisis planning and self-management and on qualitative interviews with service users and clinicians. We will conduct a randomised controlled feasibility trial of the intervention, randomising 80 participants to either the intervention in addition to usual care, or usual care only. Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and trial procedures will be assessed through process evaluation (including rates of randomisation, recruitment, and retention) and qualitative interviews. We will also assess and report on planned trial outcomes. The planned primary outcome for a full trial is repeat compulsory detention within one year of randomisation, and secondary outcomes include compulsory detention within 2 years, and symptoms, service satisfaction, self-rated recovery, self-management confidence, and service engagement. A health economic evaluation is also included.

DISCUSSION

This feasibility study, and any subsequent full trial, will add to a currently limited literature on interventions to prevent involuntary detention, a goal valued highly by service users, carers, clinicians, and policymakers. There are significant potential impediments to recruiting and retaining this group, whose experiences of mental health care have often been negative and traumatising, and who are at high risk of disengagement.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN, ISRCTN11627644. Registered 25th May 2022, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN11627644 .

CLEAR - clozapine in early psychosis: study protocol for a multi-centre, randomised controlled trial of clozapine vs other antipsychotics for young people with treatment resistant schizophrenia in real world settings

BACKGROUND

Clozapine is an antipsychotic drug with unique efficacy, and it is the only recommended treatment for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS: failure to respond to at least two different antipsychotics). However, clozapine is also associated with a range of adverse effects which restrict its use, including blood dyscrasias, for which haematological monitoring is required. As treatment resistance is recognised earlier in the illness, the question of whether clozapine should be prescribed in children and young people is increasingly important. However, most research to date has been in older, chronic patients, and evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of clozapine in people under age 25 is lacking. The CLEAR (CLozapine in EARly psychosis) trial will assess whether clozapine is more effective than treatment as usual (TAU), at the level of clinical symptoms, patient rated outcomes, quality of life and cost-effectiveness in people below 25 years of age. Additionally, a nested biomarker study will investigate the mechanisms of action of clozapine compared to TAU.

METHODS AND DESIGN

This is the protocol of a multi-centre, open label, blind-rated, randomised controlled effectiveness trial of clozapine vs TAU (any other oral antipsychotic monotherapy licenced in the British National Formulary) for 12 weeks in 260 children and young people with TRS (12-24 years old).

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The primary outcome is the change in blind-rated Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores at 12 weeks from baseline. Secondary outcomes include blind-rated Clinical Global Impression, patient-rated outcomes, quality of life, adverse effects, and treatment adherence. Patients will be followed up for 12 months and will be invited to give consent for longer term follow-up using clinical records and potential re-contact for further research. For mechanism of action, change in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers and peripheral inflammatory markers will be measured over 12 weeks.

DISCUSSION

The CLEAR trial will contribute knowledge on clozapine effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness compared to standard antipsychotics in young people with TRS, and the results may guide future clinical treatment recommendation for early psychosis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN Number: 37176025, IRAS Number: 1004947.

TRIAL STATUS

In set-up. Protocol version 4.0 01/08/23. Current up to date protocol available here: https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/NIHR131175# /.

Assessing the clinical and cost-effectiveness of inpatient mental health rehabilitation services provided by the NHS and independent sector (ACER): protocol

BACKGROUND

Mental health rehabilitation services provide specialist treatment to people with particularly severe and complex problems. In 2018, the Care Quality Commission reported that over half the 4,400 mental health inpatient rehabilitation beds in England were provided by the independent sector. They raised concerns that the length of stay and cost of independent sector care was double that of the NHS and that their services tended to be provided much further from people's homes. However, there has been no research comparing the two sectors and we therefore do not know if these concerns are justified. The ACER Study (Assessing the Clinical and cost-Effectiveness of inpatient mental health Rehabilitation services provided by the NHS and independent sector) is a national programme of research in England, funded from 2021 to 2026, that aims to investigate differences in inpatient mental health rehabilitation provided by the NHS and independent sector in terms of: patient characteristics; service quality; patient, carer and staff experiences; clinical and cost effectiveness.

METHODS

ACER comprises a:1) detailed survey of NHS and independent sector inpatient mental health rehabilitation services across England; 2) qualitative investigation of patient, family, staff and commissioners' experiences of the two sectors; 3) cohort study comparing clinical outcomes in the two sectors over 18 months; 4) comprehensive national comparison of inpatient service use in the two sectors, using instrumental variable analysis of routinely collected healthcare data over 18 months; 5) health economic evaluation of the relative cost-effectiveness of the two sectors. In Components 3 and 4, our primary outcome is 'successful rehabilitation' defined as a) being discharged from the inpatient rehabilitation unit without readmission and b) inpatient service use over the 18 months.

DISCUSSION

The ACER study will deliver the first empirical comparison of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of NHS and independent sector inpatient mental health rehabilitation services.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN17381762 retrospectively registered.

Mapping Short Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS) to Recovering Quality of Life (ReQoL) to estimate health utilities

BACKGROUND

The Short Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS) is a widely used non-preference-based measure of mental health in the UK. The primary aim of this paper is to construct an algorithm to translate the SWEMWBS scores to utilities using the Recovering Quality of Life Utility Index (ReQoL-UI) measure.

METHODS

Service users experiencing mental health difficulties were recruited in two separate cross-sectional studies in the UK. The following direct mapping functions were used: Ordinary Least Square, Tobit, Generalised Linear Models. Indirect (response) mapping was performed using seemingly unrelated ordered probit to predict responses to each of the ReQoL-UI items and subsequently to predict using UK tariffs of the ReQoL-UI from SWEMWBS. The performance of all models was assessed by the mean absolute errors, root mean square errors between the predicted and observed utilities and graphical representations across the SWEMWBS score range.

RESULTS

Analyses were based on 2573 respondents who had complete data on the ReQoL-UI items, SWEMWBS items, age and sex. The direct mapping methods predicted ReQoL-UI scores across the range of SWEMWBS scores reasonably well. Very little differences were found among the three regression specifications in terms of model fit and visual inspection when comparing modelled and actual utility values across the score range of the SWEMWBS. However, when running simulations to consider uncertainty, it is clear that response mapping is superior.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents mapping algorithms from SWEMWBS to ReQoL as an alternative way to generate utilities from SWEMWBS. The algorithm from the indirect mapping is recommended to predict utilities from the SWEMWBS.

Randomised controlled trial of automated VR therapy to improve positive self-beliefs and psychological well-being in young people diagnosed with psychosis: a study protocol for the Phoenix VR self-confidence therapy trial

INTRODUCTION

The confidence of young people diagnosed with psychosis is often low. Positive self-beliefs may be few and negative self-beliefs many. A sense of defeat and failure is common. Young people often withdraw from many aspects of everyday life. Psychological well-being is lowered. Psychological techniques can improve self-confidence, but a shortage of therapists means that very few patients ever receive such help. Virtual reality (VR) offers a potential route out of this impasse. By including a virtual coach, treatment can be automated. As such, delivery of effective therapy is no longer reliant on the availability of therapists. With young people with lived experience, we have developed a staff-assisted automated VR therapy to improve positive self-beliefs (Phoenix). The treatment is based on established cognitive behavioural therapy and positive psychology techniques. A case series indicates that this approach may lead to large improvements in positive self-beliefs and psychological well-being. We now aim to conduct the first randomised controlled evaluation of Phoenix VR.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

80 patients with psychosis, aged between 16 and 30 years old and with low levels of positive self-beliefs, will be recruited from National Health Service (NHS) secondary care services. They will be randomised (1:1) to the Phoenix VR self-confidence therapy added to treatment as usual or treatment as usual. Assessments will be conducted at 0, 6 (post-treatment) and 12 weeks by a researcher blind to allocation. The primary outcome is positive self-beliefs at 6 weeks rated with the Oxford Positive Self Scale. The secondary outcomes are psychiatric symptoms, activity levels and quality of life. All main analyses will be intention to treat.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The trial has received ethical approval from the NHS Health Research Authority (22/LO/0273). A key output will be a high-quality VR treatment for patients to improve self-confidence and psychological well-being.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN10250113.

A scoping review of the self-reported compassion measurement tools

BACKGROUND

Compassion is closely linked to psychological well-being, and several assessment tools have been developed and studied to assess the level of compassion in different populations and for more precise measurement. There is currently a scarcity of comprehensive knowledge about compassion-related assessment tools, and our research provides an overview of these tools.

AIMS

To identify scales used to measure compassion from different flows, and to assess their measurement properties and quality.

METHODS

Focusing on compassion assessment tools, the authors conducted a thorough search of 10 Chinese and English databases from their establishment until August 14, 2022. Data extracted included the author, year, country, objectives, target population, as well as the primary evaluation content. Using the COSMIN checklist, the methodological quality and measurement properties of the included studies were appraised. This scoping review was registered with the Open Science Framework and followed the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist.

RESULTS

There were 15,965 papers searched, and 36 compassion-related measurement tools were identified in this study. None of the 36 studies provided possessed all nine psychometric properties, as outlined by the COSMIN criteria. On the basis of a systematic evaluation of quality, measurement qualities were ranked. The results for internal consistency and content validity were relatively favorable, whereas the results for structural validity were variable and the results for the remaining attributes were either uncertain or negative. A Venn diagram was used to illustrate the overlapping groups of compassion measurement tools based on the three-way flow of compassion. An overview of the reference instrument and theoretical basis for the included studies was provided, and half of them did not contain any theoretical or scale-based evidence.

CONCLUSION

In this study, 36 compassion-related measuring instruments were identified, and the methodological quality and measurement properties of the included studies were acceptable. The included measurements were consistent with flows of compassion. A further focus of further research should be on developing theories in the compassion domain and developing instruments for measuring compassion that are multidimensional, multi-populations, and culturally relevant.

The effectiveness of sexual assault referral centres with regard to mental health and substance use: a national mixed-methods study - the MiMoS Study

Background

Sexual assault referral centres have been established to provide an integrated service that includes forensic examination, health interventions and emotional support. However, it is unclear how the mental health and substance use needs are being addressed.

Aim

To identify what works for whom under what circumstances for people with mental health or substance use issues who attend sexual assault referral centres.

Setting and sample

Staff and adult survivors in English sexual assault referral centres and partner agency staff.

Design

A mixed-method multistage study using realist methodology comprising five work packages. This consisted of a systematic review and realist synthesis (work package 1); a national audit of sexual assault referral centres (work package 2); a cross-sectional prevalence study of mental health and drug and alcohol needs (work package 3); case studies in six sexual assault referral centre settings (work package 4), partner agencies and survivors; and secondary data analysis of outcomes of therapy for sexual assault survivors (work package 5).

Findings

There is a paucity of evidence identified in the review to support specific ways of addressing mental health and substance use. There is limited mental health expertise in sexual assault referral centres and limited use of screening tools based on the audit. In the prevalence study, participants (n = 78) reported high levels of psychological distress one to six weeks after sexual assault referral centre attendance (94% of people had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder). From work package 4 qualitative analysis, survivors identified how trauma-informed care potentially reduced risk of re-traumatisation. Sexual assault referral centre staff found having someone with mental health expertise in the team helpful not only in helping plan onward referrals but also in supporting staff. Both sexual assault referral centre staff and survivors highlighted challenges in onward referral, particularly to NHS mental health care, including gaps in provision and long waiting times. Work package 5 analysis demonstrated that people with recorded sexual assault had higher levels of baseline psychological distress and received more therapy but their average change scores at end point were similar to those without sexual trauma.

Limitations

The study was adversely affected by the pandemic. The data were collected during successive lockdowns when services were not operating as usual, as well as the overlay of anxiety and isolation due to the pandemic.

Conclusions

People who attend sexual assault centres have significant mental health and substance use needs. However, sexual assault referral centres vary in how they address these issues. Access to follow-up support from mental health services needs to be improved (especially for those deemed to have 'complex' needs) and there is some indication that co-located psychological therapies provision improves the survivor experience. Routine data analysis demonstrated that those with sexual assault can benefit from therapy but require more intensity than those without sexual assault.

Future work

Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of providing co-located psychological therapy in the sexual assault referral centres, as well as evaluating the long-term needs and outcomes of people who attend these centres.

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme (16/117/03) and is published in full in Health and Social Care Delivery Research; Vol. 11, No. 21.

Trial registration

This trial is registered as PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018119706 and ISRCTN 18208347.

EMPOWERED trial: protocol for a randomised control trial of digitally supported, highly personalised and measurement-based care to improve functional outcomes in young people with mood disorders

OBJECTIVES

Many adolescents and young adults with emerging mood disorders do not achieve substantial improvements in education, employment, or social function after receiving standard youth mental health care. We have developed a new model of care referred to as 'highly personalised and measurement-based care' (HP&MBC). HP&MBC involves repeated assessment of multidimensional domains of morbidity to enable continuous and personalised clinical decision-making. Although measurement-based care is common in medical disease management, it is not a standard practice in mental health. This clinical effectiveness trial tests whether HP&MBC, supported by continuous digital feedback, delivers better functional improvements than standard care and digital support.

METHOD AND ANALYSIS

This controlled implementation trial is a PROBE study (Prospective, Randomised, Open, Blinded End-point) that comprises a multisite 24-month, assessor-blinded, follow-up study of 1500 individuals aged 15-25 years who present for mental health treatment. Eligible participants will be individually randomised (1:1) to 12 months of HP&MBC or standardised clinical care. The primary outcome measure is social and occupational functioning 12 months after trial entry, assessed by the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale. Clinical and social outcomes for all participants will be monitored for a further 12 months after cessation of active care.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This clinical trial has been reviewed and approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Sydney Local Health District (HREC Approval Number: X22-0042 & 2022/ETH00725, Protocol ID: BMC-YMH-003-2018, protocol version: V.3, 03/08/2022). Research findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, presentations at scientific conferences, and to user and advocacy groups. Participant data will be deidentified.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12622000882729.

A blended module (STAIRS) to promote functional and personal recovery in patients with a major depressive disorder in remission: study protocol of a concurrent mixed methods randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Despite the availability of a wide variety of evidence-based treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD), many patients still experience impairments in their lives after remission. Programs are needed that effectively support patients in coping with these impairments. The program Storytelling and Training to Advance Individual Recovery Skills (STAIRS) was developed to address this need and combines the use of peer contact, expert-by-experience guidance, family support and professional blended care. The aim of the planned study is (1) to assess the efficacy of the STAIRS program in patients with remitted MDD, (2) to investigate patients' subjective experiences with STAIRS, and (3) to evaluate the program's cost-effectiveness.

METHODS

A concurrent mixed-methods randomized controlled trial design will be used. Patients aged between 18 and 65 years with remitted MDD (N = 140) will be randomized to either a group receiving care as usual (CAU) + the STAIRS-program or a control group receiving CAU + some basic psychoeducation. Quantitative efficacy data on functional and personal recovery and associated aspects will be collected using self-report questionnaires at the start of the intervention, immediately following the intervention, and at the six-month follow-up. Insights into patients' experiences on perceived effects and the way in which different program elements contribute to this effect, as well as the usability and acceptability of the program, will be gained by conducting qualitative interviews with patients from the experimental group, who are selected using maximum variation sampling. Finally, data on healthcare resource use, productivity loss and quality of life will be collected and analysed to assess the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of the STAIRS-program.

DISCUSSION

Well-designed recovery-oriented programs for patients suffering from MDD are scarce. If efficacy and cost-effectiveness are demonstrated with this study and patients experience the STAIRS program as usable and acceptable, this program can be a valuable addition to CAU. The qualitative interviews may give insights into what works for whom, which can be used to promote implementation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 1 July 2021, registration number NCT05440812.

Randomised controlled trial of the Community Navigator programme to reduce loneliness and depression for adults with treatment-resistant depression in secondary community mental health services: trial protocol

BACKGROUND

New treatments are needed for people with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), who do not benefit from anti-depressants and many of whom do not recover fully with psychological treatments. The Community Navigator programme was co-produced with service users and practitioners. It is a novel social intervention which aims to reduce loneliness and thus improve health outcomes for people with TRD. Participants receive up to 10 individual meetings with a Community Navigator, who helps them to map their social world and set and enact goals to enhance their social connections and reduce loneliness. Participants may also access group meet-ups with others in the programme every 2 months, and may be offered modest financial support to enable activities to support social connections.

METHODS

A researcher-blind, multi-site, 1:1 randomised controlled trial with N = 306 participants will test the effectiveness of the Community Navigator programme for people with TRD in secondary community mental health teams (CMHTs). Our primary hypothesis is that people who are offered the Community Navigator programme as an addition to usual CMHT care will be less depressed, assessed using the PHQ-9 self-report measure, at 8-month, end-of-treatment follow-up, compared to a control group receiving usual CMHT care and a booklet with information about local social groups and activities. We will follow participants up at end-of-treatment and at 14 months, 6 months after end-of-treatment follow-up. Secondary outcomes include the following: loneliness, anxiety, personal recovery, self-efficacy, social network, social identities. We will collect data about health-related quality of life and service use to investigate the cost-effectiveness of the Community Navigator programme.

DISCUSSION

This trial will provide definitive evidence about the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Community Navigator programme and whether it can be recommended for use in practice. The trial is due to finish in August 2025.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Prospectively registered on 8th July 2022 at: ISRCTN13205972.

Enabling QALY estimation in mental health trials and care settings: mapping from the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 to the ReQoL-UI or EQ-5D-5L using mixture models

PURPOSE

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are commonly collected in trials and some care settings, but preference-based PROMs required for economic evaluation are often missing. For these situations, mapping models are needed to predict preference-based (aka utility) scores. Our objective is to develop a series of mapping models to predict preference-based scores from two mental health PROMs: Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9; depression) and Generalised Anxiety Questionnaire-7 (GAD-7; anxiety). We focus on preference-based scores for the more physical-health-focussed EQ-5D (five-level England and US value set, and three-level UK cross-walk) and more mental-health-focussed Recovering Quality-of-Life Utility Index (ReQoL-UI).

METHODS

We used trial data from the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) mental health services (now called NHS Talking Therapies), England, with a focus on people with depression and/or anxiety caseness. We estimated adjusted limited dependent variable or beta mixture models (ALDVMMs or Betamix, respectively) using GAD-7, PHQ-9, age, and sex as covariates. We followed ISPOR mapping guidance, including assessing model fit using statistical and graphical techniques.

RESULTS

Over six data collection time-points between baseline and 12-months, 1340 observed values (N ≤ 353) were available for analysis. The best fitting ALDVMMs had 4-components with covariates of PHQ-9, GAD-7, sex, and age; age was not a probability variable for the final ReQoL-UI mapping model. Betamix had practical benefits over ALDVMMs only when mapping to the US value set.

CONCLUSION

Our mapping functions can predict EQ-5D-5L or ReQoL-UI related utility scores for QALY estimation as a function of variables routinely collected within mental health services or trials, such as the PHQ-9 and/or GAD-7.

A targeted psychological treatment for sleep problems in young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis in England (SleepWell): a parallel group, single-blind, randomised controlled feasibility trial

BACKGROUND

Sleep disturbance is common and problematic for young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis. Sleep disruption is a contributory causal factor in the occurrence of mental health problems, including psychotic experiences, anxiety, and depression. The implication is that treating sleep problems might have additional benefits on mental health outcomes in individuals at high risk. The present study had two aims: first, to establish the feasibility and acceptability of a randomised controlled trial to treat sleep problems with the aim of reducing psychotic experiences in young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis; and second, to provide proof of concept of the clinical efficacy of the treatment.

METHODS

We did a parallel group, single-blind, randomised controlled feasibility trial in two National Health Service trusts in England. Eligible participants were aged 14-25 years, a patient of mental health services, assessed as being at ultra-high risk of psychosis on the Comprehensive Assessment of At-Risk Mental States, and having current sleep problems (score of ≥15 on the self-report Insomnia Severity Index [ISI]). Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to either a targeted psychological therapy for sleep problems (SleepWell) plus usual care or usual care alone via an automated online system, with non-deterministic minimisation that balanced participants for ISI score and referring service. The SleepWell therapy was delivered on an individual basis in approximately eight 1-h sessions over 12 weeks. Assessments were done at 0, 3, and 9 months, with trial assessors masked to treatment allocation. The key feasibility outcomes were the numbers of patients identified, recruited, and retained, treatment uptake, and data completion. Treatment acceptability was measured with the Abbreviated Acceptability Rating Profile (AARP). In preliminary clinical assessments, the primary clinical outcome was insomnia at 3 and 9 months assessed with the ISI, reported by randomised group (intention-to-treat analysis). Safety was assessed in all randomly assigned participants. The trial was prospectively registered on ISRCTN, 85601537, and is completed.

FINDINGS

From Nov 18, 2020, to Jan 26, 2022, 67 young people were screened, of whom 40 (60%) at ultra-high risk of psychosis were recruited. Mean age was 16·9 years (SD 2·5; range 14-23), and most participants identified as female (n=19 [48%]) or male (n=19 [48%]) and as White (n=32 [80%]). 21 participants were randomly assigned to SleepWell therapy plus usual care and 19 to usual care alone. All participants provided data on at least one follow-up visit. 39 (98%) of 40 participants completed the primary outcome assessment at 3 and 9 months. 20 (95%) of 21 participants assigned to SleepWell therapy received the prespecified minimum treatment dose of at least four sessions. The median treatment acceptability score on the AARP was 48 (IQR 46 to 48; n=17; maximum possible score 48). At the post-intervention follow-up (3 months), compared with the usual care alone group, the SleepWell therapy group had a reduction in insomnia severity (ISI adjusted mean difference -8·12 [95% CI -11·60 to -4·63]; Cohen's d=-2·67 [95% CI -3·81 to -1·52]), which was sustained at 9 months (ISI adjusted mean difference -5·83 [-9·31 to -2·35]; Cohen's d=-1·91 [-3·06 to -0·77]). Among the 40 participants, eight adverse events were reported in six participants (two [11%] participants in the usual care group and four [19%] participants in the SleepWell therapy group). One serious adverse event involving hospital admission for a physical health problem was reported in the SleepWell therapy group, and one patient in the usual care alone group transitioned to psychosis. None of these events were classed as being related to trial treatment or procedures.

INTERPRETATION

A randomised controlled trial of a targeted psychological sleep therapy for young people at ultra-high risk of psychosis is feasible. Patients can be retained in the trial and assessments done by masked assessors. Uptake of the sleep therapy was high, and we found preliminary evidence of sustained reductions in sleep problems. A definitive multicentre trial is now needed.

FUNDING

NIHR Research for Patient Benefit and NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre.

The relations between socio-demographic information and negative symptoms, mental health, and quality of life: a latent profile analysis with psychotic patients in Kosovo

The current study aims to identify meaningful psychotic patients' profiles by examining certain combinations of patient's demographic and socio-economic variables (sex, age, marital status, number of children, cohabitant and level of education). Moreover, we aim to assess whether there is any significant effect of class membership (profile) on negative symptoms, health state, and quality of life among psychotic patients. A convenience sample of 103 patients (age: M = 22, SD = 1.75), was drawn from the clinical populations of Kosovo. Demographic and socio-economic data was obtained through individual interviews, meanwhile a battery of questionnaires was used to assess negative symptoms, mental health, and quality of life of patients. The 4-class solution was selected as the best fitting model and used in subsequent analyses. Results indicated a significant effect of class membership on health state, quality of life and negative symptoms. Practical implications are discussed.

Psychometric evaluation of the German version of the Recovering Quality of Life (ReQoL) measures in patients with affective disorders

BACKGROUND

The generic self-reported Recovering Quality of Life (ReQoL) measures were developed for measuring recovery-focused health-related quality of life (HrQoL) in persons with mental health conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the German version of the ReQoL measures in patients with affective disorders in Germany.

METHODS

Data from a patient sub-sample in a randomized controlled trial have been used (N = 393). The internal consistency and the test-retest reliability of the ReQoL measures were assessed using Cronbach's Alpha and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). The concurrent validity and the known-group validity of the ReQoL measures were assessed using Pearson's Correlation coefficient and Cohen's d. The responsiveness was assessed using Glass' Δ and the standardized response mean (SRM).

RESULTS

The reliability among the items of the ReQoL-20 was overall excellent. The ICC of the ReQoL-20 was r = 0.70, indicating moderate test-retest reliability. The concurrent validity of the ReQoL-20 with the clinical measure PHQ-9 was strong with a correlation coefficient of r = - 0.76. The known-group validity of the ReQoL-20 using PHQ-9 cut-off points was large with an effect size of d = 1.63. The ReQoL measures were sensitive to treatment response and remission of symptoms measured by the PHQ-9 with large effect sizes/SRM.

DISCUSSION

The psychometric properties of the ReQoL measures for the assessment of patients with affective disorders were overall good. With the ReQoL, valid and reliable measures for the assessment of recovery-focused HrQoL for persons with affective disorders are available in German language.

Protocol for a bandit-based response adaptive trial to evaluate the effectiveness of brief self-guided digital interventions for reducing psychological distress in university students: the Vibe Up study

INTRODUCTION

Meta-analytical evidence confirms a range of interventions, including mindfulness, physical activity and sleep hygiene, can reduce psychological distress in university students. However, it is unclear which intervention is most effective. Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven adaptive trials may be an efficient method to determine what works best and for whom. The primary purpose of the study is to rank the effectiveness of mindfulness, physical activity, sleep hygiene and an active control on reducing distress, using a multiarm contextual bandit-based AI-adaptive trial method. Furthermore, the study will explore which interventions have the largest effect for students with different levels of baseline distress severity.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The Vibe Up study is a pragmatically oriented, decentralised AI-adaptive group sequential randomised controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of one of three brief, 2-week digital self-guided interventions (mindfulness, physical activity or sleep hygiene) or active control (ecological momentary assessment) in reducing self-reported psychological distress in Australian university students. The adaptive trial methodology involves up to 12 sequential mini-trials that allow for the optimisation of allocation ratios. The primary outcome is change in psychological distress (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, 21-item version, DASS-21 total score) from preintervention to postintervention. Secondary outcomes include change in physical activity, sleep quality and mindfulness from preintervention to postintervention. Planned contrasts will compare the four groups (ie, the three intervention and control) using self-reported psychological distress at prespecified time points for interim analyses. The study aims to determine the best performing intervention, as well as ranking of other interventions.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was sought and obtained from the UNSW Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC A, HC200466). A trial protocol adhering to the requirements of the Guideline for Good Clinical Practice was prepared for and approved by the Sponsor, UNSW Sydney (Protocol number: HC200466_CTP).

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12621001223820.

Responsiveness to change in health status of the EQ-5D in patients treated for depression and anxiety

BACKGROUND

The EQ-5D is a commonly used generic measure of health but evidence on its responsiveness to change in mental health is limited. This study aimed to explore the responsiveness of the five-level version of the instrument, the EQ-5D-5 L, in patients receiving treatment for depression and anxiety.

METHODS

Patient data (N = 416) were collected at baseline and at end of treatment in an observational study in a Norwegian outpatient clinic. Patients were adults of working age (18-69 years) and received protocol-based metacognitive or cognitive therapy for depression or anxiety according to diagnosis. Responsiveness in the EQ-5D was compared to change in the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Effect sizes (Cohen's d), Standardised response mean (SRM), and Pearson's correlation were calculated. Patients were classified as "Recovered", "Improved", or "Unchanged" during treatment using the BDI-II and the BAI. ROC analyses determined whether the EQ-5D could correctly classify patient outcomes.

RESULTS

Effect sizes were large for the BAI, the BDI-II, the EQ-5D value and the EQ VAS, ranging from d = 1.07 to d = 1.84. SRM were also large (0.93-1.67). Pearson's correlation showed strong agreement between change scores of the EQ-5D value and the BDI-II (r_s -0.54) and moderate between the EQ-5D value and the BAI (r_s -0.43). The EQ-5D consistently identified "Recovered" patients versus "Improved" or "Unchanged" in the ROC analyses with AUROC ranging from 0.72 to 0.84.

CONCLUSION

The EQ-5D showed good agreement with self-reported symptom change in depression and anxiety, and correctly identified recovered patients. These findings indicate that the EQ-5D may be appropriately responsive to change in patients with depression and anxiety disorders, although replication in other clinical samples is needed.

Making an economic argument for investment in global mental health: The case of conflict-affected refugees and displaced people

Mental health expenditure accounts for just 2.1% of total domestic governmental health expenditure per capita. There is an economic, as well as moral, imperative to invest more in mental health given the long-term adverse impacts of mental disorders. This paper focuses on how economic evidence can be used to support the case for action on global mental health, focusing on refugees and people displaced due to conflict. Refugees present almost unique challenges as some policy makers may be reluctant to divert scarce resources away from the domestic population to these population groups. A rapid systematic scoping review was also undertaken to identify economic evaluations of mental health-related interventions for refugees and displaced people and to look at how this evidence base can be strengthened. Only 11 economic evaluations focused on the mental health of refugees, asylum seekers and other displaced people were identified. All but two of these intervention studies potentially could be cost-effective, but only five studies reported cost per quality-adjusted life year gained, a metric allowing the economic case for investment in refugee mental health to be compared with any other health-focused intervention. There is a need for more consistent collection of data on quality of life and the longer-term impacts of intervention. The perspective adopted in economic evaluations may also need broadening to include intersectoral benefits beyond health, as well as identifying complementary benefits to host communities. More use can be also made of modelling, drawing on existing evidence on the effectiveness and resource requirements of interventions delivered in comparable settings to expand the current evidence base. The budgetary impact of any proposed strategy should be considered; modelling could also be used to look at how implementation might be adapted to contain costs and take account of local contextual factors.

Development of an Instrument for the Assessment of Health-Related Multi-sectoral Resource Use in Europe: The PECUNIA RUM

BACKGROUND

Measuring objective resource-use quantities is important for generating valid cost estimates in economic evaluations. In the absence of acknowledged guidelines, measurement methods are often chosen based on practicality rather than methodological evidence. Furthermore, few resource-use measurement (RUM) instruments focus on the measurement of resource use in multiple societal sectors and their development process is rarely described. Thorn and colleagues proposed a stepwise approach to the development of RUM instruments, which has been used for developing cost questionnaires for specific trials. However, it remains unclear how this approach can be translated into practice and whether it is applicable to the development of generic self-reported RUM instruments and instruments measuring resource use in multiple sectors. This study provides a detailed description of the practical application of this stepwise approach to the development of a multi-sectoral RUM instrument developed within the ProgrammE in Costing, resource use measurement and outcome valuation for Use in multi-sectoral National and International health economic evaluAtions (PECUNIA) project.

METHODS

For the development of the PECUNIA RUM, the methodological approach was based on best practice guidelines. The process included six steps, including the definition of the instrument attributes, identification of cost-driving elements in each sector, review of methodological literature and development of a harmonized cross-sectorial approach, development of questionnaire modules and their subsequent harmonization.

RESULTS

The selected development approach was, overall, applicable to the development of the PECUNIA RUM. However, due to the complexity of the development of a multi-sectoral RUM instrument, additional steps such as establishing a uniform methodological basis, harmonization of questionnaire modules and involvement of a broader range of stakeholders (healthcare professionals, sector-specific experts, health economists) were needed.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study that transparently describes the development process of a generic multi-sectoral RUM instrument in health economics and provides insights into the methodological aspects and overall validity of its development process.

Measuring quality of life for people with common mental health problems

BACKGROUND

It is important to identify valid and acceptable outcome measures so that interventions evaluating common mental health problems can be assessed appropriately. Some advocate the use of generic preference-based measures claimed to be applicable for all health interventions, but others argue that they are insensitive for common mental health problems. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), to be used in cost-effectiveness studies in people with common mental health problems.

METHOD

The CORE-OM measure was tested for completeness, acceptability and responsiveness in a pilot study. Analyses for missing data, distribution of scores, and standardised response means (SRMs) were calculated.

RESULTS

Missing data did not exceed 5% for any of the CORE-6D items both at baseline and follow-up. The overall comprehension rate was high, and only 19 participants (14%) requested clarifications to complete the questionnaire. As expected in a feasibility study, there was a small and non-significant SRM.

CONCLUSION

CORE-OM is a valid and acceptable instrument to evaluate quality of life for people with common mental health problems. More research is needed with larger sample sizes to compare CORE-6D with other condition specific quality of life instruments.

Cost-effectiveness of transdiagnostic group cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders v. treatment as usual: economic evaluation of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial over an 8-month time horizon using self-reported data

BACKGROUND

This economic evaluation supplements a pragmatic randomized controlled trial conducted in community care settings, which showed superior improvement in the symptoms of adults with anxiety disorders who received 12 sessions of transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioural group therapy in addition to treatment as usual (tCBT + TAU) compared to TAU alone.

METHODS

This study evaluates the cost-utility and cost-effectiveness of tCBT + TAU over an 8-month time horizon. For the reference case, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) obtained using the EQ-5D-5L, and the health system perspective were chosen. Alternatively, anxiety-free days (AFDs), derived from the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the limited societal perspective were considered. Unadjusted incremental cost-effectiveness/utility ratios were calculated. Net-benefit regressions were done for a willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds range to build cost-effectiveness acceptability curves (CEAC). Sensitivity analyses were included.

RESULTS

Compared to TAU (n = 114), tCBT + TAU (n = 117) generated additional QALYs, AFDs, and higher mental health care costs from the health system perspective. From the health system and the limited societal perspectives, at a WTP of Can$ 50 000/QALY, the CEACs showed that the probability of tCBT + TAU v. TAU being cost-effective was 97 and 89%. Promising cost-effectiveness results using AFDs are also presented. The participation of therapists from the public health sector could increase cost-effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

From the limited societal and health system perspectives, this first economic evaluation of tCBT shows favourable cost-effectiveness results at a WTP threshold of Can$ 50 000/QALY. Future research is needed to replicate findings in longer follow-up studies and different health system contexts to better inform decision-makers for a full-scale implementation.

A digital patient-reported outcome (electronic patient-reported outcome) system for patients with severe psychiatric disorders: User-centered development study and study protocol of a multicenter-controlled trial

Background

The effective treatment of patients with severe psychiatric disorders primarily relies on subjective reporting of symptoms and side-effects. This information is crucial for a clinician's decision regarding medication adjustment. Treatment adjustment usually happens at a low frequency (∼4-8 weeks). In between points of care, patients are left alone with their symptoms and side-effects. This leads to uncertainty regarding the treatment, non-adherence, possible relapse, and rehospitalization.

Objectives

We aim to design a flexible electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) system, which allows patients with severe psychiatric disorders to: (a) record their symptoms using an app; (b) share the data with the clinical team at points of care; and (c) utilize the data to support therapy decisions.

Methods

In this article, we describe the development process which included the following steps: (a) formation of a co-design team; (b) stakeholder interviews with patients, practitioners, and digital health experts to access needs, requirements, and barriers; (c) prototype conceptualization and design; (d) user acceptance testing and refinement; and (e) finalization of the system for testing in a pilottrial.

Results

We included input from patients with lived experience of psychiatric disorders, clinical team members, software engineers, and researchers. A prototype system was refined, and iterative changes were made before finalization during a series of operational meetings. The system allows patients to digitally self-report their symptoms and provides longitudinal ePRO symptom data for export into the electronic health record.

Conclusions

Routine ePRO collection has the potential to improve outcomes and hereby also reduce health service costs. We have successfully developed a trial-ready ePRO system for severe psychiatric disorders. The findings were incorporated in the planning of a feasibility pilot trial. Assuming feasibility will be established, the system might be subjected to a certification process evaluation of safety and efficacy including a randomized controlled trial.

Translation and linguistic validation of the Swedish recovering quality of life (ReQoL) - A brief research report

In research and among clinicians, the focus has shifted from mainly symptom reduction and increasing functionality to a more recovery-oriented focus. Although there are instruments measuring recovery, there has been a lack of instruments sensitive enough to measure the quality of life for people with severe mental health disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to obtain a Swedish version of the Recovering Quality of Life (ReQoL) questionnaire adhering to best practice guidelines using various steps of translation, linguistic validation, and cognitive debriefing. The cognitive debriefing was conducted with seven participants, and all felt the items in the questionnaire were relevant to their health, apprehensible, and easy to complete. However, some issues were raised regarding wording and the concepts behind certain items. All feedback was considered, and some items were revised in response to criticism after continuous discussions. A Swedish version of ReQoL now exists, and although there is a need for ReQoL in different clinical research settings in Sweden, further research is required to psychometrically test the construct validity as well as reliability of the Swedish version in Sweden.

Validation of the Recovering Quality of Life (ReQoL) questionnaires for patients with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, stress-related, somatoform and personality disorders in Germany

The health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and the recovery process of persons with mental health conditions can be assessed with the Recovering Quality of Life questionnaires (ReQoL-20 and ReQoL-10). The aim of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the German version of the ReQoL measures in patients with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, stress-related, and somatoform disorders and in patients with disorders of adult personality and behavior. This study was based on a sub-sample of patients that were included in a randomized controlled trial evaluating an evidence-based, stepped and coordinated care service model for mental disorders (RECOVER). The internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's Alpha and the test-retest reliability was assessed by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Concurrent validity was assessed by Pearson's Correlation Coefficient and the known-group validity was assessed using the Cohen's d. The internal consistency of the ReQoL-20 and ReQoL-10 was excellent and good with Cronbach's alpha of α = 0.91 and α = 0.83 for all items. The test-retest reliability of the ReQoL measures was moderate with ICC of r = 0.72 to 0.74. The concurrent validity of the ReQoL measures with the Global Severity Index was overall high with a correlation coefficient of r = -0.70. In conclusion, for patients with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, stress-related, somatoform and personality disorders, the German version of the ReQoL measures is valid and reliable for the assessment of HrQoL and the recovery process.

Social prescribing of nature therapy for adults with mental illness living in the community: A scoping review of peer-reviewed international evidence

Social prescribing of nature therapy "green social prescribing" facilitates access to local nature-based activities that improve biopsychosocial wellbeing outcomes, are affordable, accessible, and can be adapted to context. These are becoming increasingly popular and gray literature is emerging, however, peer-reviewed scientific evidence is exiguous. This scoping review aimed to identify and critique peer-reviewed evidence for green social prescribing interventions and develop recommendations for research and clinical practice. Included studies were published in peer-reviewed journals in English on/after 1 January 2000. Participants were community-living adults with mental illness; Intervention was any green social prescribing program; Comparator was not restricted/required; Outcomes were any biopsychosocial measures; and any/all Study Designs were included. Twelve databases were searched on 15 October 2022; these were Academic Search Premier, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, JSTOR, ProQuest, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess quality. Seven publications describing 6 unique studies (5 UK, 1 Australia) were identified including 3 mixed-methods, 2 qualitative, and 1 RCT. Participants included 334 adults (45% female, aged 35-70 years); sample sizes ranged from 9 to 164. All studies showed improvements in biopsychosocial wellbeing, and participants from most studies (n = 5) reported increased connection to the earth and intention to further access nature. Participant demographics and diagnoses were poorly reported, and intervention activities and assessments varied considerably. However, MMAT scores were good overall suggesting these studies may reliably demonstrate intervention outcomes. We conclude that socially prescribed nature therapy can improve biopsychosocial wellbeing and is a potentially important intervention for mental illness. Recommendations for research and clinical practice are provided.

Agoraphobic avoidance in patients with psychosis: Severity and response to automated VR therapy in a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The social withdrawal of many patients with psychosis can be conceptualised as agoraphobic avoidance due to a range of long-standing fears. We hypothesised that greater severity of agoraphobic avoidance is associated with higher levels of psychiatric symptoms and lower levels of quality of life. We also hypothesised that patients with severe agoraphobic avoidance would experience a range of benefits from an automated virtual reality (VR) therapy that allows them to practise everyday anxiety-provoking situations in simulated environments.

METHODS

345 patients with psychosis in a randomised controlled trial were categorised into average, moderate, high, and severe avoidance groups using the Oxford Agoraphobic Avoidance Scale. Associations of agoraphobia severity with symptom and functioning variables, and response over six months to brief automated VR therapy (gameChange), were tested.

RESULTS

Greater severity of agoraphobic avoidance was associated with higher levels of persecutory ideation, auditory hallucinations, depression, hopelessness, and threat cognitions, and lower levels of meaningful activity, quality of life, and perceptions of recovery. Patients with severe agoraphobia showed the greatest benefits with gameChange VR therapy, with significant improvements at end of treatment in agoraphobic avoidance, agoraphobic distress, ideas of reference, persecutory ideation, paranoia worries, recovering quality of life, and perceived recovery, but no significant improvements in depression, suicidal ideation, or health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with psychosis with severe agoraphobic avoidance, such as being unable to leave the home, have high clinical need. Automated VR therapy can deliver clinical improvement in agoraphobia for these patients, leading to a number of wider benefits.

Estimating the Economic Value of Automated Virtual Reality Cognitive Therapy for Treating Agoraphobic Avoidance in Patients With Psychosis: Findings From the gameChange Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

An automated virtual reality cognitive therapy (gameChange) has demonstrated its effectiveness to treat agoraphobia in patients with psychosis, especially for high or severe anxious avoidance. Its economic value to the health care system is not yet established.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to estimate the potential economic value of gameChange for the UK National Health Service (NHS) and establish the maximum cost-effective price per patient.

METHODS

Using data from a randomized controlled trial with 346 patients with psychosis (ISRCTN17308399), we estimated differences in health-related quality of life, health and social care costs, and wider societal costs for patients receiving virtual reality therapy in addition to treatment as usual compared with treatment as usual alone. The maximum cost-effective prices of gameChange were calculated based on UK cost-effectiveness thresholds. The sensitivity of the results to analytical assumptions was tested.

RESULTS

Patients allocated to gameChange reported higher quality-adjusted life years (0.008 QALYs, 95% CI -0.010 to 0.026) and lower NHS and social care costs (-£105, 95% CI -£1135 to £924) compared with treatment as usual (£1=US $1.28); however, these differences were not statistically significant. gameChange was estimated to be worth up to £341 per patient from an NHS and social care (NHS and personal social services) perspective or £1967 per patient from a wider societal perspective. In patients with high or severe anxious avoidance, maximum cost-effective prices rose to £877 and £3073 per patient from an NHS and personal social services perspective and societal perspective, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

gameChange is a promising, cost-effective intervention for the UK NHS and is particularly valuable for patients with high or severe anxious avoidance. This presents an opportunity to expand cost-effective psychological treatment coverage for a population with significant health needs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN17308399; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN17308399.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031606.

Physical health of individuals with psychosis - a mixed method study

People with psychosis have poorer physical health than the general population and this aspect of care delivery has largely been neglected. The IMPULSE trial (ISRCTN 11913964) investigated a psychosocial intervention prompting people with psychosis to discuss their physical health concerns with mental health clinicians. This mixed-method study explored a series of clinical meetings over 6 months to understand how physical health is discussed, what actions are taken, and if these translated into benefits for the participating individuals with psychosis. 221 individuals with psychosis were included, attending 847 clinical meetings over 6 months. Results show that, when prompted, most participants (54%) took up the opportunity to discuss their physical health at least once. These individuals were keen to make changes such as adopt healthy diet, stop smoking, lose weight, etc. Despite taking steps to achieve these goals, after 6 months no improvement was detected in subjective satisfaction with physical health, severity of physical health problems or satisfaction with services. Adopting healthier lifestyle behaviours is difficult even in motivated individuals. Future research is needed to determine innovative approaches to promote lifestyle change in individuals with psychosis.

Enhanced supported living for people with severe and persistent mental health problems: A qualitative investigation

Supported living has been shown to improve functioning and social inclusion in people with severe and persistent mental health problems, reduce hospitalisation and provide secure accommodation in a population where housing needs are often unmet. Conversely, living in supported accommodation has been depicted by some as depersonalising, marginalising and an ordeal to survive. Discussions regarding housing and support often lack a thorough consideration of individual experiences, with a reliance on quantitative surveys. The question remains how to assure that supported accommodations actually are supportive of the residents' ongoing recovery process. The present study sought to shed light on the experiences of residents in an enhanced supported living service in the United Kingdom. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine residents of the service between July 2020 and February 2021. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis and indicated three superordinate themes of experiences considered valuable to residents: (1) support from care staff which was readily available; (2), a sense of community and daily activity offered by the residence and on-site activities; and (3) the experience of supported living as a stepping-stone in an ongoing recovery process. Findings indicate the power of comprehensive care with supportive staff, peer-relations, autonomy and fostering hope in empowering individuals in their ongoing recovery.

Crisis-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for psychosis (CBTp) in acute mental health inpatient settings (the CRISIS study): protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial

Background

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for psychosis (CBTp) has an established evidence base and is recommended by clinical guidelines to be offered during the acute phases of psychosis. However, few research studies have examined the efficacy of CBTp interventions specifically adapted for the acute mental health inpatient context with most research trials being conducted with white European community populations.

Aims

The aim of this study is to conduct a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT), which incorporates the examination of feasibility markers, of a crisis-focused CBTp intervention adapted for an ethnically diverse acute mental health inpatient population, in preparation for a large-scale randomised controlled trial. The study will examine the feasibility of undertaking the trial, the acceptability and safety of the intervention and the suitability of chosen outcome measures. This will inform the planning of a future, fully powered RCT.

Methods

A single-site, parallel-group, pilot RCT will be conducted examining the intervention. Drawing on principles of coproduction, the intervention has been adapted in partnership with key stakeholders: service users with lived experience of psychosis and of inpatient care (including those from ethnic minority backgrounds), carers, multi-disciplinary inpatient clinicians and researchers. Sixty participants with experience of psychosis and in current receipt of acute mental health inpatient care will be recruited. Participants will be randomly allocated to either the crisis-focused CBTp intervention or treatment as usual (TAU).

Discussion

Findings of this pilot RCT will indicate whether a larger multi-site RCT is needed to investigate the efficacy of the intervention. If the initial results demonstrate that this trial is feasible and the intervention is acceptable, it will provide evidence that a full-scale effectiveness trial may be warranted.

Trial registration

This trial has been prospectively registered on the ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN59055607) on the 18th of February 2021.

Study protocol for a pragmatic cluster RCT on the effect and cost-effectiveness of Everyday Life Rehabilitation versus treatment as usual for persons with severe psychiatric disability living in sheltered or supported housing facilities

Background

People with severe psychiatric disabilities and impaired autonomy, living in sheltered or supported housing facilities, often lead sedentary, solitary lives indoors and have significantly poorer health than others in the population. Meaningful everyday activities are important for the recovery towards an enrichening, agentic, social, and hopeful everyday life. The Everyday Life Rehabilitation (ELR) model—a person-centred activity- and recovery-oriented intervention—has shown positive outcomes in feasibility studies, and thus a randomised controlled trial (RCT) is required to establish the effectiveness of ELR, along with calculations of cost-effectiveness.

Methods

The ELR-RCT is a pragmatic, two-parallel-armed cluster RCT evaluating the effect and cost-effectiveness of using ELR from two measurement points over 6 months (pre-post intervention) and in three waves over 3 years. The primary outcome is recovering quality of life (ReQoL) at 6 months, and the secondary outcome is self-perceived recovery and daily functioning (RAS-DS) at 6 months. Additionally, Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) will be used for the intervention group. Power analysis has been conducted for primary outcome measure. The first wave will include an internal pilot, to be evaluated after 6 months, used as basis for decisions on updating the required sample size and any other need for adaptations before continuing with the full-scale RCT in the second and third wave. All municipalities within a geographic area in northern Sweden, with a minimum of one sheltered or supported housing facility for people with severe psychiatric or neuropsychiatric disability, including access to occupational therapy, will be enrolled. Participants will be block-randomised to receive ELR plus treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU alone for a control period. The control group will thereafter receive delayed ELR. Occupational therapists and housing staff will receive an educational package, manuals, and tools, as well as reflections with colleagues during the intervention period. Housing managers will receive questions for monthly follow-up and coaching with staff.

Discussion

This is a protocol for both an internal pilot and full trial of the first RCT study using the ELR intervention model in sheltered or supported housing facilities, evaluating the effects together with cost-effectiveness.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05056415. Registered on 24 September 2021.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06622-0.

Older forensic mental healthcare patients in England: demographics, physical health, mental wellbeing, cognitive ability and quality of life

Background

Older individuals (e.g., 55 years and over) constitute a growing proportion of the forensic mental health patient population. As a group, they are vulnerable to health outcomes similar to other individuals with serious mental disorders of the same age; however, these concerns can be compounded by complex forensic-related care backgrounds and clinical presentations, lengthy periods of time spent in prison or psychiatric hospitals, substance use histories, and crime perpetration or victimisation. The healthcare needs and strengths of this group are not well understood.The aim of this study was to identify and describe the demographic, physical health, mental wellbeing, cognitive ability, and quality of life profiles of older forensic patients in community, low, medium, and high security settings in England.

Methods

A cross-sectional quantitative study design was used. N=37 forensic patients aged 55 years and over completed six questionnaires. Data were also collected from patient records.

Results

Most patients were male and were diagnosed with psychosis. The most frequently committed index offence types were violent offences. Patients were prescribed 7.6 medications on average and had average anticholinergic effect on cognition scores of 2.4. Nearly half the sample had diabetes, with an average BMI score of 31.7 (indicating obesity). Possible cognitive impairment was identified in 65% of the sample. Patients' assessments of their recovery-related quality of life and mental wellbeing were comparable to published UK general population values. Assessments of quality of life were positively correlated with the ability to undertake everyday activities and cognitive performance.

Conclusions

We suggest that forensic services are well-placed to provide holistic mental and physical care to this group but that they should co-develop with patients a greater range of age-appropriate meaningful activities that are mindful of mobility issues and consider implementing more cognition-based and physical health interventions.

Estimating Cost-Effectiveness Using Alternative Preference-Based Scores and Within-Trial Methods: Exploring the Dynamics of the Quality-Adjusted Life-Year Using the EQ-5D 5-Level Version and Recovering Quality of Life Utility Index

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) and subsequent cost-effectiveness estimates based on the more physical health-focused EQ-5D 5-level version (EQ-5D-5L) value set for England or cross-walked EQ-5D 3-level version UK value set scores or more mental health recovery-focused Recovering Quality of Life Utility Index (ReQoL-UI), when using alternative within-trial statistical methods. We describe possible reasons for the different QALY estimates based on the interaction between item scores, health state profiles, preference-based scores, and mathematical and statistical methods chosen.

METHODS

QALYs are calculated over 8 weeks from a case study 2:1 (intervention:control) randomized controlled trial in patients with anxiety or depression. Complete case and with missing cases imputed using multiple-imputation analyses are conducted, using unadjusted and regression baseline-adjusted QALYs. Cost-effectiveness is judged using incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and acceptability curves. We use previously established psychometric results to reflect on estimated QALYs.

RESULTS

A total of 361 people (241:120) were randomized. EQ-5D-5L crosswalk produced higher incremental QALYs than the value set for England or ReQoL-UI, which produced similar unadjusted QALYs, but contrasting baseline-adjusted QALYs. Probability of cost-effectiveness <£30 000 per QALY ranged from 6% (complete case ReQoL-UI baseline-adjusted QALYs) to 64.3% (multiple-imputation EQ-5D-5L crosswalk unadjusted QALYs). The control arm improved more on average than the intervention arm on the ReQoL-UI, a result not mirrored on the EQ-5D-5L nor condition-specific (Patient-Health Questionnaire-9, depression; Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, anxiety) measures.

CONCLUSIONS

ReQoL-UI produced contradictory cost-effectiveness results relative to the EQ-5D-5L. The EQ-5D-5L's better responsiveness and "anxiety/depression" and "usual activities" items drove the incremental QALY results. The ReQoL-UI's single physical health item and "personal recovery" construct may have influenced its lower 8-week incremental QALY estimates in this patient sample.

Digital smartphone intervention to recognise and manage early warning signs in schizophrenia to prevent relapse: the EMPOWER feasibility cluster RCT

BACKGROUND

Relapse is a major determinant of outcome for people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Early warning signs frequently precede relapse. A recent Cochrane Review found low-quality evidence to suggest a positive effect of early warning signs interventions on hospitalisation and relapse.

OBJECTIVE

How feasible is a study to investigate the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a digital intervention to recognise and promptly manage early warning signs of relapse in schizophrenia with the aim of preventing relapse?

DESIGN

A multicentre, two-arm, parallel-group cluster randomised controlled trial involving eight community mental health services, with 12-month follow-up.

SETTINGS

Glasgow, UK, and Melbourne, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

Service users were aged > 16 years and had a schizophrenia spectrum disorder with evidence of a relapse within the previous 2 years. Carers were eligible for inclusion if they were nominated by an eligible service user.

INTERVENTIONS

The Early signs Monitoring to Prevent relapse in psychosis and prOmote Wellbeing, Engagement, and Recovery (EMPOWER) intervention was designed to enable participants to monitor changes in their well-being daily using a mobile phone, blended with peer support. Clinical triage of changes in well-being that were suggestive of early signs of relapse was enabled through an algorithm that triggered a check-in prompt that informed a relapse prevention pathway, if warranted.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcomes were feasibility of the trial and feasibility, acceptability and usability of the intervention, as well as safety and performance. Candidate co-primary outcomes were relapse and fear of relapse.

RESULTS

We recruited 86 service users, of whom 73 were randomised (42 to EMPOWER and 31 to treatment as usual). Primary outcome data were collected for 84% of participants at 12 months. Feasibility data for people using the smartphone application (app) suggested that the app was easy to use and had a positive impact on motivations and intentions in relation to mental health. Actual app usage was high, with 91% of users who completed the baseline period meeting our a priori criterion of acceptable engagement (> 33%). The median time to discontinuation of > 33% app usage was 32 weeks (95% confidence interval 14 weeks to ∞). There were 8 out of 33 (24%) relapses in the EMPOWER arm and 13 out of 28 (46%) in the treatment-as-usual arm. Fewer participants in the EMPOWER arm had a relapse (relative risk 0.50, 95% confidence interval 0.26 to 0.98), and time to first relapse (hazard ratio 0.32, 95% confidence interval 0.14 to 0.74) was longer in the EMPOWER arm than in the treatment-as-usual group. At 12 months, EMPOWER participants were less fearful of having a relapse than those in the treatment-as-usual arm (mean difference -4.29, 95% confidence interval -7.29 to -1.28). EMPOWER was more costly and more effective, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £3041. This incremental cost-effectiveness ratio would be considered cost-effective when using the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence threshold of £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained.

LIMITATIONS

This was a feasibility study and the outcomes detected cannot be taken as evidence of efficacy or effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

A trial of digital technology to monitor early warning signs that blended with peer support and clinical triage to detect and prevent relapse is feasible.

FUTURE WORK

A main trial with a sample size of 500 (assuming 90% power and 20% dropout) would detect a clinically meaningful reduction in relapse (relative risk 0.7) and improvement in other variables (effect sizes 0.3-0.4).

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial is registered as ISRCTN99559262.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 26, No. 27. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information. Funding in Australia was provided by the National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1095879).

Multisite randomised controlled trial of trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis to reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms in people with co-morbid post-traumatic stress disorder and psychosis, compared to treatment as usual: study protocol for the STAR (Study of Trauma And Recovery) trial

Background

People with psychosis have high rates of trauma, with a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence rate of approximately 15%, which exacerbates psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. Pilot studies have shown that trauma-focused (TF) psychological therapies can be safe and effective in such individuals. This trial, the largest to date, will evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a TF therapy integrated with cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis (TF-CBTp) on post-traumatic stress symptoms in people with psychosis. The secondary aims are to compare groups on cost-effectiveness; ascertain whether TF-CBTp impacts on a range of other meaningful outcomes; determine whether therapy effects endure; and determine acceptability of the therapy in participants and therapists.

Methods

Rater-blind, parallel arm, pragmatic randomised controlled trial comparing TF-CBTp + treatment as usual (TAU) to TAU only. Adults (N = 300) with distressing post-traumatic stress and psychosis symptoms from five mental health Trusts (60 per site) will be randomised to the two groups. Therapy will be manualised, lasting 9 months (m) with trained therapists. We will assess PTSD symptom severity (primary outcome); percentage who show loss of PTSD diagnosis and clinically significant change; psychosis symptoms; emotional well-being; substance use; suicidal ideation; psychological recovery; social functioning; health-related quality of life; service use, a total of four times: before randomisation; 4 m (mid-therapy); 9 m (end of therapy; primary end point); 24 m (15 m after end of therapy) post-randomisation. Four 3-monthly phone calls will be made between 9 m and 24 m assessment points, to collect service use over the previous 3 months. Therapy acceptability will be assessed through qualitative interviews with participants (N = 35) and therapists (N = 5–10). An internal pilot will ensure integrity of trial recruitment and outcome data, as well as therapy protocol safety and adherence. Data will be analysed following intention-to-treat principles using generalised linear mixed models and reported according to Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials-Social and Psychological Interventions Statement.

Discussion

The proposed intervention has the potential to provide significant patient benefit in terms of reductions in distressing symptoms of post-traumatic stress, psychosis, and emotional problems; enable clinicians to implement trauma-focused therapy confidently in this population; and be cost-effective compared to TAU through reduced service use.

Trial registration

ISRCTN93382525 (03/08/20)

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06215-x.

Schema Therapy in the Nursing Home Setting: A Case Study of a Cognitively Impaired Patient

The use of schema therapy to treat personality disorders in older adults is gaining scientific attention. Personality disorders are prevalent in one out of ten older adults and have a detrimental effect on quality of life. Although 24% or more of nursing home residents may have personality disorders, psychotherapeutic treatment options in the case of comorbid cognitive impairment have not yet been studied. This study concerns a 63-year-old care-dependent male nursing home resident with a personality disorder, a substance use disorder, and several cognitive impairments due to cerebrovascular disease, who presented with complaints of loneliness, low self-esteem, sleeping problems and anger outbursts. Schema therapy was delivered based on the schema mode model for a period of 27 months. Post-treatment assessment demonstrated a decrease in early maladaptive schemas and dysfunctional schema modes and improved personality functioning overall. Although situational psychological distress fluctuated throughout treatment, quality of life improved after 7 months and remained stable onwards. Presented complaints either remitted or strongly diminished. Substance use was also addressed and was in remission for the last 20 months of therapy. This case study suggests that schema therapy is a viable treatment for older adults with personality disorders who present with cognitive impairments in nursing homes.

Automated virtual reality therapy to treat agoraphobic avoidance and distress in patients with psychosis (gameChange): a multicentre, parallel-group, single-blind, randomised, controlled trial in England with mediation and moderation analyses

BACKGROUND

Automated delivery of psychological therapy using immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR) might greatly increase the availability of effective help for patients. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an automated VR cognitive therapy (gameChange) to treat avoidance and distress in patients with psychosis, and to analyse how and in whom it might work.

METHODS

We did a parallel-group, single-blind, randomised, controlled trial across nine National Health Service trusts in England. Eligible patients were aged 16 years or older, with a clinical diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder or an affective diagnosis with psychotic symptoms, and had self-reported difficulties going outside due to anxiety. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either gameChange VR therapy plus usual care or usual care alone, using a permuted blocks algorithm with randomly varying block size, stratified by study site and service type. gameChange VR therapy was provided in approximately six sessions over 6 weeks. Trial assessors were masked to group allocation. Outcomes were assessed at 0, 6 (primary endpoint), and 26 weeks after randomisation. The primary outcome was avoidance of, and distress in, everyday situations, assessed using the self-reported Oxford Agoraphobic Avoidance Scale (O-AS). Outcome analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population (ie, all participants who were assigned to a study group for whom data were available). We performed planned mediation and moderation analyses to test the effects of gameChange VR therapy when added to usual care. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, 17308399.

FINDINGS

Between July 25, 2019, and May 7, 2021 (with a pause in recruitment from March 16, 2020, to Sept 14, 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions), 551 patients were assessed for eligibility and 346 were enrolled. 231 (67%) patients were men and 111 (32%) were women, 294 (85%) were White, and the mean age was 37·2 years (SD 12·5). 174 patients were randomly assigned to the gameChange VR therapy group and 172 to the usual care alone group. Compared with the usual care alone group, the gameChange VR therapy group had significant reductions in agoraphobic avoidance (O-AS adjusted mean difference -0·47, 95% CI -0·88 to -0·06; n=320; Cohen's d -0·18; p=0·026) and distress (-4·33, -7·78 to -0·87; n=322; -0·26; p=0·014) at 6 weeks. Reductions in threat cognitions and within-situation defence behaviours mediated treatment outcomes. The greater the severity of anxious fears and avoidance, the greater the treatment benefits. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of serious adverse events between the gameChange VR therapy group (12 events in nine patients) and the usual care alone group (eight events in seven patients; p=0·37).

INTERPRETATION

Automated VR therapy led to significant reductions in anxious avoidance of, and distress in, everyday situations compared with usual care alone. The mediation analysis indicated that the VR therapy worked in accordance with the cognitive model by reducing anxious thoughts and associated protective behaviours. The moderation analysis indicated that the VR therapy particularly benefited patients with severe agoraphobic avoidance, such as not being able to leave the home unaccompanied. gameChange VR therapy has the potential to increase the provision of effective psychological therapy for psychosis, particularly for patients who find it difficult to leave their home, visit local amenities, or use public transport.

FUNDING

National Institute of Health Research Invention for Innovation programme, National Institute of Health Research Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre.