Recovery Approaches in Mental Health: Evaluating the Whole Life Approach Manual (WLAM) for Therapy in Persons with Schizophrenia
- Conditions
- Topic: Mental Health Research NetworkSubtopic: SchizophreniaDisease: SchizophreniaMental and Behavioural DisordersSchizophrenia
- Registration Number
- ISRCTN37110238
- Lead Sponsor
- Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation NHS Trust (UK)
- Brief Summary
Not available
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- Completed
- Sex
- Not specified
- Target Recruitment
- 120
1. Aged 18 - 65 years at study recruitment visit (week 0), either sex
2. A current diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder or schizophreniform disorder within the meaning of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), confirmed either by the treating clinician or case record examination by a research psychiatrist
3. Current impairment in social, personal and occupational function as defined by the presence of both of a score of 35 on the SASS and a score of 75 on the Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale (SOFAS)
4. Currently taking antipsychotic pharmacotherapy and with a clinical evaluation that at least 50% compliance can reasonably be expected in the forthcoming one-year period. This would typically be taken to mean that the intended dose is taken fully on 50% of days or that the full intended dose is taken on 50% of days or permutations falling between these limits.
5. Considered clinically stable by the treating psychiatrist
6. WLAM therapy is judged an appropriate therapeutic intervention by the treating psychiatrist
7. Able to give informed consent
1. Within 180 days of the first date of diagnosis. Date of diagnosis will be taken to be the date of first diagnosis by a clinician.
2. Inpatient psychiatric attention for greater than 7 days, with any of those days being within 30 days of study entry (recruitment visit, week 0)
3. Presence of an affective psychosis which, in the opinion of the treating psychiatrist, dominates the clinical picture
4. Currently severely depressed, as defined by a score of greater than 14 on the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD)
5. Meets DSM-IV syndromal criteria for borderline personality disorder. Potential participants with borderline personality features not meeting full criteria may be included provided that the treating psychiatrist is of the opinion that there is not syndromal borderline personality disorder.
6. Previously received WLAM for greater than 30 days
7. Received specialist therapeutic attention for a substance dependence disorder in the past 6 months. The use of illicit substances is not, in itself, exclusionary.
8. Currently subject to any legal limitation or restriction on freedom (e.g. subject to court order, probation or the Mental Health Act)
9. Currently taking exceptionally high doses of antipsychotic pharmacotherapy meaning: a total dose exceeding an aggregated 170% of BNF upper limit dosing for one or more antipsychotic drugs singly or combined, e.g., two antipsychotic drugs both being taken at 90% of their respective BNF maxima would be exclusionary
10. Currently receiving a structured psychotherapy that would continue concomitantly with WLAM therapy. Structured psychotherapy will be taken to include cognitive-behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, cognitive-analytic therapy, psychodynamic therapy. Therapies such as anxiety management, assertiveness training and social therapies will not be regarded as exclusionary.
11. Would be unable to undertake any free market employment because of physical disabilities directly attributable to a physical disease or handicap and that disease or handicap is permanent and irremediable
Study & Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Study Design
- Not specified
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Social Adaptation Self-evaluation Scale (SASS). This is a self-report scale of 21 items, measured at baseline, week 24, week 48, week 60 and week 72.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method 1. Adherence with the program: adherence will be recorded by the Whole Life therapist using a five-point scale<br>2. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), measured at baseline, week 24, week 48, week 60 and week 72<br>3. Health of the Nation Outcome Scales, measured at baseline, week 24, week 48, week 60 and week 72<br>4. Participant's perception of therapy<br>5. Qualitative evaluation of Whole Life Therapy<br>6. Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale, measured at baseline, week 24, week 48, week 60 and week 72