REACT Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An online randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of a peer supported self-management intervention for relatives of people with psychosis or bipolar disorder: Relatives Education And Coping Toolkit (REACT)
IRAS ID
179111
Contact name
Fiona Lobban
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Lancaster University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Psychosis and bipolar disorder are very serious mental health problems, which affect over 6 million people in the UK. Relatives (family and friends) provide the vast amount of care, which would otherwise cost the NHS over a billion pounds each year. However, this caring role also puts high strain on relatives who often struggle to cope. The UK government have made a commitment to assess the needs of relatives and provide them with the information and support they need. However, finding ways to provide this support is a challenge and access to clinical services, and support for relatives is often very poor. REACT is an online toolkit that provides relatives with the information and support they need. It was co-designed with relatives, consists of easy to navigate modules, and is supported online by REACT Supporters(experts by lived experience) and peer support forums. Feasibility data showed that REACT was acceptable to relatives, and reduced their distress. The toolkit has been adapted in light of feedback and will be delivered in an online trial to test its clinical and cost effectiveness across the UK. Relatives will be directed to the study website through a wide range of routes including clinical services, voluntary sector organisations, and web searches. We plan to recruit 666 relatives who will be allocated at random to either receive access to the REACT website, or to an online Resource Directory which includes information about all currently available services. They will be asked to complete questionnaires to assess their distress levels and wellbeing at the beginning, and after 12 and 24 weeks. We will test whether there is a difference in how REACT or the Resources Directory impact on distress and wellbeing levels.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0732
Date of REC Opinion
15 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion