Pilot befriending trial in people with ID
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot randomised controlled trial of one to one befriending by volunteers, compared to usual care, in reducing symptoms of depression in people with intellectual disability (ID)
IRAS ID
240552
Contact name
Afia Ali
Contact email
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN63779614
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2018/10/63, Data protection registration
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, months, 0 days
Research summary
Many people with intellectual disability (ID) have few friends and limited access to social support,which can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. This can have an adverse effect on self-esteem and lead to depression. The aim of befriending is to reduce isolation and encourage social participation. Befriending is effective in reducing symptoms of depression in the general population, and may improve social satisfaction in people with ID. However, there have been no randomised controlled trials evaluating befriending in people with ID. We plan to carry out a pilot randomised controlled trial of one to one befriending by volunteers for
people with ID compared to a control group, to identify if it will be feasible and acceptable to carry out a full randomised controlled trial.
A total of 50 participants with ID from two community befriending organisations will be randomised to either one to one befriending by a volunteer or a control group (Usual Care).In the intervention arm, participants will be matched to a volunteer who will meet with the individual at least once a week for one hour, over a six month period. The control group will have access to usual care.
We will examine information about the recruitment rate of participants with ID and volunteers, the number of participants with ID who are successfully matched to a volunteer and the number of volunteers or participants with ID who drop out of the study. We will explore if befriending reduce symptoms of depression, psychological distress and loneliness, and improves social participation, selfesteem
and quality of life in people with ID and if it reduces health and social care costs. We willexplore potential benefits to the volunteers (wellbeing and attitudes towards people with ID. These measures will be recorded at baseline, at the
end of the intervention (6 months) and at 12 months.REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/2188
Date of REC Opinion
2 Jan 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion