FAP
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Follow-up study of adult prisoners treated for ADHD
IRAS ID
215813
Contact name
Philip J Asherson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
About 25% of young offenders meet criteria for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), causing significant impairment to sufferers and posing behavioural challenges to the prison system. Yet ADHD is not routinely diagnosed and treated in prisons. HMYOI Isis is currently providing an ADHD clinic and, together with HMYOI Polmont and HMYOI Rochester, is host to the first ever randomised controlled trial of a medication for ADHD. Little is known about long-term medication adherence and effects in this population and even less is known about what happens to offenders with ADHD once they are released back into the community and whether collecting such information is feasible. The aim of this study is to follow up prisoners with ADHD receiving treatment as part of routine clinical care to see whether they continue receiving and taking medication, and the effect this has on their ADHD symptoms as well as their behaviour whilst in prison. Prisoners will also be followed up on their release with a view to establish how they fare in the community, i.e. are they in touch with healthcare services; do they have access to medication for ADHD and do they take it; what are their living circumstances. Data gathered as part of this study will inform the feasibility of collecting follow-up data from this population, and the development of a structured care pathway for people with ADHD transitioning from prison to the community. Participants will be followed up at four month intervals whilst they are in prison and at one and six months post release. They will be asked to attend a short clinical interview, which in the community will be done over the phone. Participants are recruited from HMYOIs Isis, Polmont and Rochester.The care for these institutions is commissioned by Oxleas NHS Trust and Forth Valley Health Board respectively.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NE/0108
Date of REC Opinion
13 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion