Narrative Exposure Therapy in EIP: RCT feasibility study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Narrative Exposure Therapy in Early Intervention in Psychosis: A feasibility Randomised Control Trial (RCT) study
IRAS ID
337365
Contact name
Miriam Fornells-Ambrojo
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
7584052 , UCL worktribe reference; Z6364106/2024/12/57, UCL Data Protection Number
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
Many people with first episode psychosis, that can involve hearing voices others cannot and feelings of paranoia, have experienced past trauma. A large proportion of them (as high as 80%) report repeated childhood trauma such as abuse and discrimination.
The effects of repeated trauma on recovery from psychosis are large: symptoms do not get better, people are less likely to do everyday activities, they are more likely to feel suicidal and have more hospital admissions. Not assessing and treating trauma extends their and their carers’ suffering. Early intervention in psychosis (EIP) services offer support to people experiencing psychosis, but they don’t usually ask about trauma or offer effective trauma therapies.
Narrative exposure therapy (NET) is unique as an NHS-approved treatment that was designed for repeated and complex trauma. Training to provide NET is brief and straightforward, so there is potential for many therapists to be trained. NET has not yet been evaluated in EIP.
In this feasibility study people in EIP services will be invited to take part in a trial in which chance will decide whether they receive NET or usual treatment. Everyone taking part will fill in questionnaires at the start and after 4 and 8 months, including questions about trauma impact, psychosis symptoms and experiences of NET.
This is a National Institute for Health and Care Research funded feasibility study under the Research for Patient Benefit programme. Recruitment will take place in EIP in two sites: Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Trust and the North London Mental Health Partnership.
The study will:
a) provide an initial assessment of safety and acceptability of NET in EIP
b) tell us whether it is possible to train EIP clinicians to deliver NET.REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0350
Date of REC Opinion
2 May 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion