STructured lifestyle Education for People WIth SchizophrEnia V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
STructured lifestyle Education for People WIth Schizophrenia (STEPWISE)
IRAS ID
138897
Contact name
Richard Holt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Health & Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
There is an urgent need to develop ways to help people with schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses (SMI) to manage their weight. Obesity and overweight occur 2-3 times more commonly among people with schizophrenia. As well as increasing the risk of physical health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease, weight gain may be a reason that stops people from taking their medication. This can make their mental health worse.
There is evidence to suggest that people with schizophrenia can change their diet and exercise habits, with appropriate support, in the short term. Research is needed to see whether lifestyle interventions are effective in promoting further weight loss in the longer term for people SMIs. The STEPWISE study has to objections:
1) to develop a lifestyle education programme that meets the needs of people with SMI and first episode psychosis. We will adapt the programme from a successful education programme, called DESMOND, which was developed for people with diabetes or at risk of diabetes. Trained educators will deliver a test programme to patients in three cycles. Feedback from each cycle will refine the programme content and delivery to the needs of people with SMI.
2) the education programme will then be examined in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) compared with usual advice and information provided by the NHS on healthy lifestyles.
We aim to recruit 412 people from 10 Mental Health Trusts in the UK. It is important to find out if people with schizophrenia can change their lifestyle and lose weight as a result of the education programme. We will measure body weight during the trial and measure other potential health benefits from changes in diet and physical activity. Qualitative research will see whether the programme is acceptable to people with SMI, their carers and health care professionals.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/0019
Date of REC Opinion
4 Feb 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion