FReSH START Feasibility Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Function REplacement in repeated Self-Harm: Standardising Therapeutic Assessment and the Related Therapy - WP3 - Feasibility
IRAS ID
269176
Contact name
Else Guthrie
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN16049211
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Self-harm is a major public health challenge with an estimated lifetime prevalence of 5-6% and some 220,000 hospital attendances annually in England and Wales. Repetition of self-harm is common with 70% of hospital attenders reporting previous episodes. An intervention that improves the quality of life of people who repeatedly self-harm and that could be delivered without the need for expensive specialist services would be of potential benefit to many of those who attend hospital each year. A recent Cochrane review showed little evidence for the benefit of existing therapies for the problem of repeated self-harm. Therapies are intensive, of long duration, and require specialist therapists; there is no published evidence of cost-effectiveness. The latest Cochrane review, NICE guidelines and expert commentaries all point to the need for new research to test the effectiveness of interventions in this population. Despite the importance of reducing repetition, we know from working with people who have experience of self-harm that a therapeutic approach that works with service users to identify valued (positive) goals is a more acceptable approach than therapies focused on reduction of the act itself. Our approach involves modifying three existing therapies specifically for use with people who self-harm. We have selected therapies that can be easily adapted to deliver a new therapeutic approach for self-harm, have an evidence-base, and are accessible to the large numbers of people who repeatedly self-harm and are seen in mainstream NHS practice. Where the therapy is not already available in certain centres, each can easily be taught and learned by mental health professionals. This feasibility study with 30 participants forms part of a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funded research programme. Assuming the feasibility study is successful and the therapy acceptable to participants, the next phase will be a large scale randomized controlled trial.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0409
Date of REC Opinion
7 Feb 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion