Remote monitoring of risk factors for inpatient aggression
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Using remote monitoring technology within forensic mental health services to investigate the psychological and physiological predictors of aggressive behaviour
IRAS ID
246472
Contact name
Ben Greer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
Forensic mental health services care for people with mental health difficulties who may pose a serious risk of harm to themselves and/or others. Staff in these services routinely complete risk assessments for the individuals under their care, to stratify patients into risk groups and tailor treatments and resources. However, these assessments demonstrate low-to-moderate predictive accuracy, particularly for ‘high-risk’ patients and longer-term aggression. One reason for this may be because structured risk assessments are conducted infrequently (e.g. monthly), and may be unable to identify changes in risk which occur more frequently (e.g. hourly). These assessments are also limited to cognitive and behavioral risk factors, however research suggests changes in physiological processes, such as electrodermal activity and heart rate variability, also increases risk of aggression.
Monitoring cognitive, behavioural, and physiological risk factors in real-time may provide additional information regarding changes in risk state, but this is not feasible with structured risk assessments due to the time and resources required to conduct an assessment. However, monitoring cognitive processes and behaviours in real-time is possible through active remote monitoring (active RMT), using repeated questionnaires multiple times a day. In addition, advances in passive remote monitoring (passive RMT) technology, including devices such as wristbands and watches, have made it possible to monitor physiological signals without the need for extensive, obtrusive equipment, with minimal intrusion into individuals’ daily activities.
A study currently in progress by the author is investigating staff perspectives of practical barriers and acceptability of wearable technology within a forensic mental health service. Following on from this, the current study first aims to investigate the acceptability of both active and passive RMT among service users. A larger sample will then be recruited to investigate the relationship between cognitive, behavioural, and physiological risk factors monitored in real-time, and inpatient aggression.
REC name
Wales REC 5
REC reference
18/WA/0219
Date of REC Opinion
22 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion