Active Assistance for Psychological Therapy (ACTISSIST)-version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Active Assistance for Psychological Therapy (Actissist): Using mobile technology to deliver cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis
IRAS ID
140740
Contact name
Sandra Bucci
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Research summary
The early course of psychosis, called First Episode Psychosis (FEP), involves a number of relapses to psychosis; 80% of FEP patients will relapse within 5-years of their initial episode. Relapse negatively affects patient’s psychological and social development. The early phase following FEP is a critical period. Risk factors for relapse in FEP are non-adherence with medication, substance misuse, carers’ critical comments and social isolation. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in treating severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. However, a shortage of trained clinicians and resource pressures mean that of people with psychosis who could benefit, at best only 10% have access to CBT. Even those who are offered CBT often experience long delays before receiving treatment, which means early warning signs of relapse are often missed. \n\nIn light of these findings, there are two aims of this research: 1. To develop a mobile phone software application (app) that delivers a CBT-style intervention in a person’s everyday life; 2. To examine the feasibility, acceptability and effects (efficacy) of the CBT app. We hope that delivering CBT in this way will make helpful psychological interventions more accessible to patient’s. \n\nThe study will be carried out over 28 months and involves 3 phases: Phase 1 - a qualitative investigation, using focus groups with staff and individual interviews with patients, to inform the content of the CBT app, as well as the clinical and research protocol; Phase 2 - software development of the app itself (by software engineers at the University of Manchester); Phase 3 - evaluating the app in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to test the feasibility and effects of the app. At the end of phase 3, there will be another qualitative investigation to explore the acceptability of the mobile phone intervention. \n
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/WM/0118
Date of REC Opinion
28 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion