NCT05567575

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) Informed Mobile-Application for First Episode Psychosis

Culturally Adapted Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) Informed Mobile-Application for First Episode Psychosis (FEP). A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Onset of First Episode Psychosis (FEP) is at a young age and is a critical period influencing the long-term course of the disorder. Failure to identify FEP can lead to serious implications such as disruption of education, reduced long-term employment, huge economic burden, and is associated with significantly higher mortality. The prevalence of psychosis increases rapidly from age 14 onwards with a peak incidence in the late teens and early 20s. The aim of the project is to examine the acceptability and feasibility of a mobile phone application-based intervention 'TechCare-PK', for individuals with psychosis in Pakistan. The main objectives are to determine whether appropriate individuals could be identified and recruited to the study and whether the TechCare App would be an acceptable intervention for individuals with psychosis.

Detailed description

Onset of First Episode Psychosis (FEP) is at a young age and is a critical period influencing the long-term course of the disorder. Failure to identify FEP can lead to serious implications such as disruption of education, reduced long-term employment, huge economic burden, and is associated with significantly higher mortality. The prevalence of psychosis increases rapidly from age 14 onwards with a peak incidence in the late teens and early 20s. The aim of the project is to examine the acceptability and feasibility of a mobile phone application-based intervention 'TechCare-PK', for individuals with psychosis in Pakistan. The main objectives are to determine whether appropriate individuals could be identified and recruited to the study and whether the TechCare App would be an acceptable intervention for individuals with psychosis. Where there are challenges related to distance, inconvenience, being homebound or reluctance to face-to-face interventions, Mobile Health (mHealth) approaches that leverage mobile devices such as cellular phones and smartphones can be used to support healthcare system. Research has found mobile based interventions as highly acceptable to families and may meet carers' needs in respect of information, guidance, professional and emotional support. These services has been considered as a good and easy mode of exchanging information, providing health related education and advice, management of symptoms, to early recognize the complications, giving reassurance and for providing quality services. Methods: Study Design: A multi-center single blind Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) comparing with Treatment as Usual (TAU) with participants with First Episode Psychosis (FEP) to be recruited from different psychiatric units across four cities in Pakistan i.e., Karachi, Lahore, Hyderabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. If required additional centers will be added i.e., Quetta, Multan and Peshawar following proper ethics amendments. Aim The aim of this study is to design, and test culturally adapted mobile based CBT intervention for patients with FEP. Objectives: * Develop and refine an app based intervention (TechCare) based on existing culturally adapted intervention for psychosis, using patient and public involvement. The aim is to improve its potential efficacy, establish acceptability of the refined intervention to potential participants and facilitators and establish mobile app based deliverability of the intervention * To explore the usefulness of TechCare as an acceptable intervention in reducing symptoms of psychosis. * Undertake an internal pilot to establish recruitment and attrition rates, compliance with protocol and acceptability of the trial design to participants. The proposed study will consist of three phases. First phase of study will focus on developing the app based intervention (TechCare) through qualitative work. Second phase will test run the application with 6-8 service users and incorporate suggestions and refinement of intervention and in the third phase we will test it in a randomised controlled trial.

Conditions

• Psychosis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,	TechCare is based on the intelligent real time therapy (iRTT) conceptual model proposed by Kelly et al. iRTT relates to the use of mobile technologies to deliver interventions such as CBT, extending beyond assessment of symptoms. The intervention is based on the treatment manual developed by David G. Kingdon and Douglas Turkington. The intervention is informed by evidence based cognitive models of psychosis, where the participant is able to choose from a list of pre-selected digital self-help strategies that are personalised to each participant. For example, the App may incorporate the participant's favourite music in the form of multimedia or YouTube links, which are prompted during symptom elevation. Other examples may include psychoeducation, goal setting, problem-solving, etc., based on common self-help strategies in CBT for Psychosis (CBTp).

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-10-01
• Primary completion: 2024-12-30
• Completion: 2025-07-31
• First posted: 2022-10-05
• Last updated: 2024-05-17

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Pakistan