Occupational therapy intervention for sleep in schizophrenia v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development of an occupational therapy intervention to improve sleep in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders using Delphi study methodology.
IRAS ID
228454
Contact name
Sophie M Faulkner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 16 days
Research summary
Background and aim:
Sleep problems are very common in people with schizophrenia and related disorders (including schizoaffective disorder and delusional disorder). This impacts on these people’s quality of life, affects their recovery, can affect their social life or work, and worsens isolation.Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-i) has been found to be effective in some groups, but is not widely available in practice. Experts have called for briefer alternatives to CBT-i to be created.
People with schizophrenia have more irregular, broken and un-refreshing sleep, often combined with being less active in the daytime. Theories of sleep processes suggest addressing daytime activity may help, by increasing tiredness at bedtime, and improving light exposure (light is important for our biological sleep rhythms (circadian rhythms)).
We will develop a brief alternative to CBT-i, with increased focus on daytime activity, for delivery by an occupational therapist.
Methods:
We will draw on the knowledge of eighty-five experts (clinicians, researchers, patients and carers). Experts will be consulted in four ‘rounds’, in an adapted version of a method called a Delphi study. This will begin with online surveys, and end with a round focused on acceptability and the format of the treatment.Patient and public involvement:
We will appoint a patient advisory group, who will be consulted throughout the fellowship. During the Delphi study we will ask the patient advisory group to help review our analysis between rounds, and to help with interpreting the end results.Outputs:
We plan to publish this study in a peer-reviewed academic journal, and have funds for ‘open access’ publishing (free to read). We will present the findings at conferences, to service user groups, and within NHS services.
The aim is that this research would eventually lead to the widespread availability of a brief non-drug treatment, within mental health services.REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
18/SS/0122
Date of REC Opinion
26 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion