SCENE (Work Package 3)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploratory testing of a structured intervention for expanding social networks in psychosis
IRAS ID
234335
Contact name
Stefan Priebe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 18 days
Research summary
Psychosis affects a large number of people (1-2% of the population), can last for decades and cause much distress to patients and carers. Although patients receive medication, practical support and sometimes talking therapies, these
treatments have limited benefit and many patients remain socially isolated.Previous studies have shown that small social networks are associated with poor quality of life. We would like to devise an intervention to expand patients’ social networks and consequently improve their quality of life.
In this specific study we aim to develop and initially test this intervention. We will ask 12 clinicians to deliver an initial version of the intervention to a small number of patients (N=24). We will then interview patients and clinicians about their experience of receiving or delivering the intervention. Patients will also be interviewed about their social contacts and activities, symptoms and quality of life before and after the intervention. The data collected will help to improve the instructions for the intervention and produce a manual in order to see whether the definitive intervention is more beneficial than normal care in a following large study.
The study will be carried out at different sites in order to make the intervention applicable to different (urban and rural) areas. The study sites will be East London, Luton, Bedfordshire, North East of England (York and surrounding area), and Devon.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1675
Date of REC Opinion
15 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion