Attachment style and disease progression in Huntington's disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Is attachment style associated with progression in Huntington's Disease?
IRAS ID
291806
Contact name
Alberto Salmoiraghi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 22 days
Research summary
Insecure attachment style has been shown to affect the way people feel and regulate their emotions, how people seek help, including medical, as well as increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes, such as an increased use of substances or increased depression. The Huntington’s Disease (HD) population are also at an increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders and have also been shown to have an increased likelihood of having an insecure attachment style. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the attachment style and HD progression, using a scale called "Experiences in Close Relationships – Revised attachment measure" and "Universal Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS)" data from North Wales HD patients currently enrolled on ENROL-HD study, a longitudinal observational study that had been approved by the R&D and ethic committee. The results of the UHDRS measurements from ENROLL-HD will be used to calculate the progression of the disease and any correlation with attachment style. Establishing a relationship between attachment style and outcomes is important as specific interventions can be delivered early to improve outcomes. For example, as attachment style affects the adherence to treatment, targeted interventions on compliance could be offered at early stages, which in turn may improve the outcomes. We hope to recruit between 30 and 40 people and to publish in a prestigious peer reviewed journal such as Lancet Psychiatry.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0364
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jul 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion