TAPERS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Treating Anxiety to PrevEnt Relapse in Schizophrenia (TAPERS): a feasibility trial
IRAS ID
265272
Contact name
Jeremy Hall
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Eudract number
2019-001408-39
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The main aim of the TAPERS study is to establish whether adding antidepressant medication to treatment as usual in early psychosis is feasible and acceptable to patients. In the longer term we will also look at whether this decreases relapse rates. To achieve this, we need to understand whether adding an antidepressant in this way is acceptable to patients, and can be delivered within the context of NHS care. By the end of the feasibility trial we will be in a position to decide whether it is appropriate to proceed to a larger, full-scale evaluation of add-on antidepressant treatment in early psychosis. This work will investigate a new way of decreasing relapse in psychosis, with potential major health benefits and cost savings to the NHS.
Psychosis is characterised by abnormal thoughts and perceptions. Psychotic illnesses, such as schizophrenia, typically begin in the early 20s and patients frequently relapse, despite the best available treatment, with significant consequences for sufferers, carers and the NHS. Anxiety and depressive symptoms often occur in psychotic illnesses and may precede relapses. Antidepressant medications are effective in decreasing anxiety, and are well tolerated in psychosis.
Our eventual aim is to discover whether antidepressant medication in early psychosis decreases rates of psychotic relapse. In order to plan for a large scale evaluation of this approach, we need to determine whether the addition of antidepressants is a) acceptable to patients; b) feasible; c) associated with a decrease in key relevant symptoms such as anxiety. We will involve service users, carers and health professionals from trial design through to dissemination. We have agreed a plan to embed service user and carer involvement throughout the trial by appointing an experienced service user representative from local psychosis services to our advisory group.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0220
Date of REC Opinion
11 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion