MODIFY project: A feasibility study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mental health and other psychological therapy Outcomes; their relationship to Dementia Incidence in the Following Years (MODIFY): A feasibility project
IRAS ID
270018
Contact name
Joshua Stott
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UCL
Duration of Study in the UK
10 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The objective of this research is to test feasibility and acceptability of measuring change over psychological therapy in dementia risk factors which are not routinely measured in IAPT i.e. poor sleep, loneliness, isolation, physical inactivity and high alcohol use. We will use qualitative interviews to investigate perceived changes in these risk factors over the course of therapy, as well as barriers and facilitators to participation in the study. Further qualitative interviews will explore barriers and facilitators to people living with dementia attending and benefiting from psychological therapy.
In order to address these aims we will recruit 200 people over the age of 60 enrolled in IAPT for psychological therapy. Participants will take part in three sessions - pre-therapy and post-therapy (at 3 and 6 months). In each session (lasting around 1.5 hours), participants will complete a series of questionnaires to test dementia risk factors. Participants will also complete an ‘at-home’ pack of questionnaires after each session (lasting around 1 hour). They will be provided with an activity tracker (not internet enabled) to wear between sessions. They will complete tests of blood pressure and hearing. Researchers will access participant’s medical records for information on physical health, medication use and dementia assessments and diagnosis. Qualitative interviews will be conducted with a sub-sample of participants to examine perceived change in risk factors over the course of therapy, whether it is feasible to measure change in dementia risk factors in IAPT, and the barriers to setting up a large cohort in the future. Interviews will also be conducted with sample approximately 25 purposively-sampled people affected by dementia to explore barriers and facilitators to people living with dementia attending and benefiting from psychological therapy.
Results will have important benefits for clinical practice, policy, and the NHS because the outputs will enhance knowledge about dementia prevention globally.REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0003
Date of REC Opinion
30 Apr 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion