Acceptability and feasibility of using MOL in acute inpatient units
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is Method of Levels (MOL) therapy an acceptable and feasible psychological intervention for people using acute mental health in-patient services? A case series
IRAS ID
270417
Contact name
Sara Tai
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 24 days
Research summary
Psychological therapy is scarce on acute in-patient units. Ward environments, pressure to keep stays short and uncertainty about length of admission make structured therapy difficult. Other options for delivering interventions need to be explored.
Method of levels (MOL) is a flexible psychological intervention based on Perceptual Control Theory (PCT). PCT states that mental health problems result when people are unable to control important experiences (goals). Loss of control usually occurs when people try achieving multiple but conflicting goals simultaneously so achieving any becomes difficult. Positive mental health and wellbeing requires finding ways to balance goals, which MOL therapy aims to help people with. MOL focuses on developing awareness of goals and conflicts so individuals can begin finding solutions to balancing and achieving their goals.
MOL is a patient-led therapy designed to be applied to any problem, regardless of diagnosis. Patients are encouraged to decide the focus, duration and frequency of their therapy. MOL can be used as a short-term intervention, which is suited to in-patient units. Previous research shows that MOL has helped people with different mental health problems. MOL appears to be a suitable therapy for acute settings, but no formal published data is available at present.The current study, which is unfunded and part of a thesis for the doctorate in clinical psychology, aims to provide ‘proof of concept’ by exploring whether MOL is feasible and acceptable to people in acute in-patient units in GMMH and Pennine Care trusts. This will be done through a case series of between 6-10 people using in-patient services who will be offered MOL. We will explore whether clinically significant change can be achieved during admissions by analysing outcome measure data and thematically analysing participants’ qualitative experiences of MOL. The results can inform future research into the effectiveness of MOL in this setting.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NW/0112
Date of REC Opinion
1 May 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion