Mindfulness intervention for people experiencing psychosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Individualised Mindfulness-Based Intervention for People experiencing Psychosis: A Feasibility Study
IRAS ID
268919
Contact name
Joseph H Ridler
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
Research Summary
Psychosis can negatively impact people’s lives, such as causing distress, trauma, and difficulties in employment and relationships. This study will evaluate whether a 1:1 mindfulness intervention improves recovery for people experiencing psychosis, defined by the "recovery model". The recovery model emphases building resilience and control, and reducing distress, rather than controlling or removing "symptoms". Research has suggested that this form of recovery is achieved twice as often as full symptomatic recovery for people experiencing psychosis.
Mindfulness offers a different layer of recovery to traditional interventions for psychosis, in that it does not try to resist, remove or alter ‘symptoms’, instead changes the way one reacts to them. Through breaking the cycle of reacting to experiences, mindfulness seeks to empower people to turn towards, accept and let go of difficult or distressing experiences.
Participants will meet criteria for a primary diagnosis of a "psychosis spectrum disorder" (formal diagnosis is not required), be minimum 16 years old, and currently under the care of NHS Lothian Mental Health Services. Previous mindfulness experience will not exclude people, but potential participants must not be currently taking part in other individual or group mindfulness practices.
This study will investigate an 8-session 1:1 mindfulness intervention, adapted from a group protocol. Participants will also be asked to practice mindfulness between sessions; however, this is not mandatory. Each session will last approx. 60 minutes, with an additional one-minute questionnaire. In addition, 60-90 minutes of questionnaires will be collected one week pre- and post-intervention, and one 15-minute questionnaire between Sessions 4 and 5. Therefore, participation will last around 10 weeks. Mindfulness sessions will mostly take place on NHS Lothian sites, however may take place in the community, provided the space is private and will not be disturbed (subject to risk assessment).
Summary of Results
Quality of life (QoL) is often poor for people experiencing psychosis. However, while this is partially linked with psychosis experiences, people can live fulfilling lives while still experiencing psychosis. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) aim to improve how people relate to their experiences. MBIs may therefore help improve QoL.
This study assessed feasibility of a novel 1:1 MBI for people experiencing psychosis, including two predictors: metacognitive beliefs (i.e., beliefs about one’s own thoughts) and between-session practice. Feasibility was examined through recruitment, intervention delivery, data collection, and limited assessment of outcomes.
The study found that the 1:1 MBI was feasible, though many participants preferred shorter appointments with one mindfulness practice. The amount of between-session practice varied between participants, and many did not complete any practice. Metacognitive beliefs improved between pre-intervention and mid-intervention, before worsening post-intervention. Most other measures indicated some improvement.
The intervention appears feasible to be run as a full trial, with some adaptations. Initial evidence suggests that people experiencing psychosis benefit from the 1:1 MBI, however barriers to between-session practice need to be investigated. Finally, the unexpected deterioration of metacognitive beliefs post-intervention needs to be explored further.REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SC/0132
Date of REC Opinion
28 Apr 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion