CBT-f-DDD version 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Depersonalisation-Derealisation Disorder (CBT-f-DDD): A feasibility study
IRAS ID
314923
Contact name
Elaine Hunter
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN97686121
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
ISRCTN submission, 40944
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, days
Research summary
Depersonalisation-Derealisation Disorder (DDD) is a distressing condition where people feel a profound sense of unreality and disconnection from the world around them. Around 1% of the population have DDD but there has been almost no research and there are no effective treatments. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is helpful in treating other mental health conditions and this study will test if CBT that has been specifically adapted for people with DDD (CBT-f-DDD) can be easily delivered within the NHS. As this is a feasibility study, we have 2 aims: (1) to investigate the feasibility of using CBT-for-DDD in a small study where people with DDD are randomly divided into either having CBT or not, and (2) try this within a typical NHS setting. This will then enable us to refine the treatment and set up a large-scale clinical trial to show if it really works and how best to deliver it. We will design a CBT-for-DDD manual and train NHS therapists in this. We will then recruit people aged 16-75 with symptoms of DDD from NHS services (within NHS trusts, e.g. Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust and Barnet, Enfield and Haringey NHS Foundation Trust) and randomly split these people into two groups where one is given CBT-f-DDD and the other group has standard care. After 6-months of treatment, these groups will be compared to see if their symptoms have changed and if they found the treatment acceptable, and we will also do a 12-month follow-up to see if any changes are lasting. We will primarily assess the practicalities of delivering the treatment within standard NHS mental health services and patients’ experience with the study and treatment, so we can better design a future larger study.
REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/LO/0318
Date of REC Opinion
5 May 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion