Remote Approaches to Psychosocial Intervention Delivery (RAPID)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Remote psychosocial interventions to prevent avoidable psychiatric hospital admissions in people with serious mental health problems: a multi-arm multi-stage trial
IRAS ID
307657
Contact name
Anthony Morrison
Contact email
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN33079589
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 10 months, 31 days
Research summary
People with serious mental health problems (SMHP) are more likely to be admitted to psychiatric hospital following contact with crisis services. Pressure on hospital beds is made worse by the extra impact on crisis care, and hospital admissions can be traumatic; because of COVID-19 admitting someone to hospital can be additionally problematic. People with SMHP are vulnerable to COVID-19 due to increased risk of underlying physical health problems, medication effects and engagement with services. There is an urgent need for treatments to address suicidal thoughts/behaviours and reduce avoidable hospital admissions. We will conduct a multi-site trial to find out which brief and remotely delivered treatments are helpful for people with SMHP with recent suicidal thoughts/suicide attempt. The main question is whether the treatments are more effective in reducing hospital admissions over a 6-month period compared to usual treatment (TAU), and if these treatments provide value for money. We will assess the impact on suicidal thoughts and behaviour, hope, recovery, anxiety, and depression. We will carry out a trial that has four treatment conditions. All treatments will be delivered remotely. We will compare the following treatment groups delivered for 3 months: 1) Structured peer support, 2) A safety planning approach delivered by assistant psychologists, 3) A CBT-based suicide prevention app, 4) TAU. Treatment allocation will be decided by chance. 200 people will participate in a smaller trial to see if there is interest for the study. 1035 people to take part in the main trial. To understand whether the treatments are working, we will look at the results when 559 people have been recruited. If one or more of the treatments is not helpful, it will be removed from the trial. We will complete questionnaires with people at baseline, 3-months and 6-months to see if the treatments have been helpful.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/LO/0326
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jun 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion