NCT06263712

Differences Between Suicide Attempters and Suicide Ideators. Influence of the Brief Therapy Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) on Neuropsychological Correlates and Psychological Process Factors - Project 2

Differences Between Suicide Attempters and Suicide Ideators. Influence of the Brief Therapy ASSIP on Neuropsychological Correlates and Psychological Process Factors (NePsyASSIP HT) - Project 2

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 156 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Bern · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The present study consists of 3 projects in total and aims to investigate the (neuro-) psychological patterns from suicidal ideation to suicidal behavior as well as the effects and feasibility of ASSIP Home Treatment. The overall aim of project 2 is to investigate how the (neuro-) psychological patterns are modulated by the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP). Therefore, suicide attempters participating in this project 2 will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group ASSIP or a standard care plus resource interview (STAR) group. The ASSIP and STAR interventions take place at the University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern (Switzerland). At the end of the assessment in project 1 participants who reported a history of past suicide attempt (SUAT) will be informed about project 2. Only if participants agreed to take part in project 2 and have signed the informed consent, they are randomized into two conditions: The ASSIP intervention (ASSIP) versus standard of care plus resource interview (STAR). Participants of both groups will be assessed again 4 weeks and 12 months after their first baseline assessment of project 1.

Detailed description

Purpose and aims: The present study consists of 3 projects in total and aims to investigate the (neuro-) psychological patterns from suicidal ideation to suicidal behavior as well as the effects and feasibility of ASSIP Home Treatment. After the cross-sectional study in project 1 determining the (neuro-) psychological patterns between suicide ideators (SUID) and suicide attempters, in project 2, the aim is to learn more about the (neuro-) psychological patterns and how they are modulated by a suicide-specific brief intervention ASSIP that was proven to be effective. In addition to the (neuro-) psychological assessment, longitudinal process factors are examined by comparing an ASSIP intervention group to a group of standard care plus resource interview (STAR). The STAR intervention refers to the usual and customary practices within the field, including suicide risk assessment, a non-specific resource focused intervention and if necessary, further outpatient or inpatient treatment. Background: In Switzerland, approximately three people die by suicide every day and suicide attempts exceed this number by far. As a previous suicide attempt is one of the strongest predictors for a completed suicide, it is of utmost importance to identify the people at risk. However, research has shown that traditional risk factors (e.g., depression, psychiatric disorder, etc.) reliably predict suicide ideation but poorly predict suicidal behavior. Furthermore, while effective suicide-specific interventions exist, up to 50% of the suicide attempters reject the recommended treatment and around 60% discontinue treatment after one session. Hence, a different approach is required. In this study, three projects will be conducted. Project 1 aims is to identify the (neuro-) psychological patterns of suicidal attempters by comparing between the following four different groups: 1\) patients with a prior suicide attempt (SUAT) 2) patients with no prior suicide attempt, but suicidal ideation (SUID) 3) a general patient group (CLIN), and 4) a healthy control group (HLTH). Project 2 aims to investigate how these patterns are modulated by the efficacious brief therapy ASSIP. In project 3, the feasibility, effects and cost-effectiveness of the ASSIP Home Treatment will be investigated. Study design of project 2: A longitudinal analysis over 12 months will only be conducted for the SUAT group. SUAT who participated in project 1 will be asked whether they also wish to participate in project 2. If they agree, they will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group ASSIP or STAR group to understand the influence of the brief ASSIP on (neuro-) psychological correlates in suicide attempters. The brief therapy ASSIP and STAR will take place at the University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern (Switzerland). Participants in project 2 will be assessed at 4 weeks, and 12 months after the first assessment which was conducted within project 1 and participants will be assessed on several process factors after each ASSIP or STAR session.

Conditions

• Inhibitory Control
• Self Efficacy
• Suicide Ideation
• Suicide, Attempted
• Locus of Control
• Process Factors
• Movement Synchrony

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP)	The Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) is a specific therapy for patients with a suicide attempt in their biography. The brief therapy ASSIP consists of three to four sessions of approximately 50 minutes each. Session 1: A narrative interview is conducted, in which the patient is asked to tell her\*his personal story which led to the suicidal crisis. The narrative is video-recorded. Session 2: Using video-playback of the recorded narrative, patient and therapist explore further details of the suicidal process. Session 3: A case conceptualization focusing on the patient's vulnerability and the trigger of the suicidal crisis is formulated in writing. A list of safety strategies for the prevention of future suicidal behavior is developed jointly with the patient. Regular letters are sent to patients over a period of 2 years.
BEHAVIORAL	Standard of care plus resource interview group (STAR)	The standard of care plus resource interview group (STAR) will be offered a clinical interview, a risk assessment, and a non-specific resource focused intervention over three face-to-face sessions. In this resource focused intervention, the patient is asked to name her\*his resources, describe them, and give examples.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-03-25
• Primary completion: 2026-12-01
• Completion: 2026-12-01
• First posted: 2024-02-16
• Last updated: 2026-01-22

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Switzerland