Feasibility of metabolic monitoring in SMI
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot cohort study of the feasibility and acceptability of utilising continuous glucose monitoring and accelerometer devices to record and monitor glucose levels, mobility changes and physical activity over a 4-week period in patients with serious mental illness, newly initiated on antipsychotic drugs.
IRAS ID
330215
Contact name
Hari Subramaniam
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leicestershire Partnership Trust R&D
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Metabolic disorders (such as diabetes and weight gain) are a common risks to patients who take antipsychotic medications.
There is routine monitoring (blood tests checking for metabolic disorders) when taking these medications. However, there is no data on what happens to blood sugars levels and activity levels (walking and moving around) when patients first start taking antipsychotic medications and if this can lead to having a metabolic disorders. The aim is to use a glucose monitor and watch like device which monitors activity level to monitor the changes in blood sugar and activity for the first month of starting antipsychotic therapy. Medical records at 6 months will be checked to see if participant has developed metabolic disorders.
There is little research about wearable devices in measuring metabolic disorders for mental health patients. This study will aim to identify if using wearable technology is an effective way to measure metabolic disorder changes. This could guide further research as researchers could have a method in which they can see if early treatments (such as intense exercise programmes) have an effect on these early changes when starting antipsychotics. The common difficulties that could arise with wearable technology for mental health patients will be monitored during this study and therefore help future research when considering wearable technology for monitoring.
The glucose monitor is a small 2p sized device which is routinely being used by diabetic patients, it is a simple device which can be self administered in less than 1 minute and when applying it, it feels like a tiny pinch of the skin. The device has a microfilament (less than 0.5cm) which sits in the skin and can automatically take blood sugar readings throughout the whole day .Each device can be l The accelerometer is a watch-like device (like a Fitbit) and monitors activity level.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/WM/0148
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jul 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion