Coping with Unusual ExperienceS for 12-18 year olds (CUES+)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Coping with Unusual ExperienceS for 12-18 year olds (CUES+): A transdiagnostic randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of cognitive therapy in reducing distress associated with unusual experiences in adolescent mental health services.
IRAS ID
164065
Contact name
Suzanne Jolley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London; Director of Research Management, Director of Administration (Health Schools)
Eudract number
N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 8 months, 26 days
Research summary
Childhood ‘unusual experiences’ (such as hearing voices that others cannot, or suspicions of being followed) are common, but can become more distressing during adolescence, especially for young people in contact with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Unusual experiences associated with distress (UEDs) occur in psychosis, a rare but serious mental health condition. UEDs also occur in other common adolescent mental health problems, and make it less likely that young people will recover well. Research in adults has shown that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBTp) is helpful, and saves money by reducing hospital admissions. National guidance recommends that young people with psychosis or UEDs receive CBTp, to help them feel less distressed, which may also improve their future mental health. More research in children is needed, to make sure that the recommendations suit them as well as adults. CAMHS therapists need specialist training and supervision to deliver CBTp. Services need to ask about UEDs consistently, as children may not otherwise report them. Our study aims to find out whether CBTp is helpful and cost-effective for adolescents with UEDs. We will support therapists in the service to deliver CBTp. We will invite adolescents in CAMHS to complete questionnaires about UEDs and how they are feeling. If they have UEDs, we will offer them CBTp, either immediately, or after 6 months. Who gets CBTp immediately will be decided randomly, like tossing a coin. Participants will complete the questionnaires again after 4 months, when the CBTp is finished, and after 6 months, to see if any helpful changes last. We will compare the CBTp group with the 6-month-wait group, on distress, UEDs, and health and social costs. We will write up what we find for publication in a scientific journal. If the CBTp is helpful, we will make our therapy manual widely available.
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1970
Date of REC Opinion
18 Nov 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion