IMProVe version 1.0

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Investigating change mechanisms in psychotherapy for distressing voices (the IMProVe study)

• IRAS ID

  201754

• Contact name

  Sarah Fielding Smith

• Contact email

  s.fielding-smith@sussex.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 3 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  This study will explore the feasibility of using smartphone-based assessment of daily life experiences to investigate change mechanisms during psychological therapy for distressing auditory verbal hallucinations (voice hearing experiences). If this method proves feasible, it will be used to assess change mechanisms within a subsequent full-scale Randomized Controlled Trial. Identification of the active mechanisms of therapy will enable modification of therapies in terms of focus (upon the variables most active in the change process) and/or length (if a sufficient focus upon the most active variables can be achieved more efficiently).

  In this feasibility study, ten participants will take part in three six-day smartphone assessment periods, which occur before, during, and after receiving a 12-week course of group person-based cognitive therapy (PBCT), an evidence-based intervention for distressing voices founded on principles of both mindfulness and cognitive therapy.

• REC name

  London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  16/LO/0565

• Date of REC Opinion

  28 Apr 2016

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion