Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Acute Crisis (IPT AC)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Acute Crisis (IPT AC) After Deliberate Self-Harm/Poisoning
IRAS ID
184776
Contact name
Debra Bowyer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Lothian Research and Development
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 28 days
Research summary
IPT AC is a 4 session adaptation of Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) designed to reduce distress and decrease the risk of self-harm and suicide. The purpose of IPT-AC is to increase accessibility to IPT at the front door of our services in NHS Lothian. Patients presenting in acute distress will have access to highly skilled nurses who are experienced in working with crisis. Through IPT AC training and supervision, nurses will also have a theoretical underpinning and clear structure to their work.
NICE guidelines (2011) recommend 3-12 sessions of a psychological intervention specifically structured for people who self-harm. Further, the intervention should be tailored to individual need, and could include cognitive-behavioural, psychodynamic or problem-solving elements. IPT AC, with its brief, personally tailored, interpersonal, problem-solving approach meets these criteria. IPT has a strong evidence base in its treatment of depression. It has also been successfully modified as a brief intervention, and there is growing evidence of its suitability for managing acute distress.
A service development feasibility study provided IPT AC training and supervision to 5 mental health nurses and 1 psychiatrist at the Department of Psychological Medicine, Accident and Emergency, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE). 18 patients received 4 sessions of IPT AC and analyses showed a significant decrease in symptoms of depression and core distress post-treatment.
This service development will now be expanded over the next 3 years across sites: RIE; Mental Health Assessment Service (MHAS), REH; and St Johns Hospital A and E. Two full-time mental health nurses will be recruited and trained in the IPT AC model and will assist in the delivery of the intervention across these sites. Ongoing supervision will be provided. A research psychologist will oversee the evaluation and primary outcomes will include hospital-reported and self-reported repetitions of self-harm, quality of life, distress and depressive symptoms.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
16/SS/0023
Date of REC Opinion
26 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion