Remote Exercise And Lifestyle (REAL) Intervention for Early Psychosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the Feasibility of a Remote Exercise And Lifestyle (REAL) Intervention for Early Psychosis: a mixed-methods study
IRAS ID
322359
Contact name
Joseph Firth
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN12893459
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
People with mental illness experience drastic inequalities in physical health, having a 2-3 fold risk of cardiometabolic diseases, and a ~15 year reduced life expectancy compared to the general population. This is mostly due to a lack of access to sufficient health care, side-effects of psychotropic medications, and heightened risk of adverse health behaviours observed in mental health populations. While there is an increasing amount of investment, research and innovation around using digital technologies to improve the health behaviours and physical fitness of the general population, the uses of such technologies for improving physical health in mental health populations is not widely studied. If this vulnerable population continues to be ‘left behind’ from technological advances in health promotion, this could ultimately result in even greater health disparities arising for people with mental illness over time.
To begin addressing this gap, this study will examine the acceptability, feasibility and outcomes of using digital technology to support a remotely-delivered exercise and lifestyle intervention in young adults receiving treatment for a severe mental illness - specifically, First Episode Psychosis (FEP). For this study, 32 participants with FEP will be recruited from Early Intervention Services (EIS) in the NHS. All participants will be provided with a Fitbit Inspire wearable device for the duration of the study (8 weeks), and access to the FitBit premium app. A non-randomised crossover design will be used to assign participants to either the FitBit-only control condition, or the ‘Remote Exercise and Lifestyle’ (REAL) intervention group (which receives twice-weekly supervised online exercise sessions). Participants’ physical activity levels and their engagement with the intervention will be measured, alongside survey-style questions on their physical and mental well-being.REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SW/0033
Date of REC Opinion
27 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion