Sussex Psychosis Research interest Group (SPRiG)

Current Research

Studies now recruiting: 

 

The CONNECT Digital Study: Predicting psychosis relapse using digital devices

The CONNECT study aims to address the question: Can wearables and smartphones help service users manage their mental health?
To answer this question, The University of Manchester has developed a remote digital data collection system via a smartphone app which they are testing to see if it can predict an individual’s chance of psychosis relapse.

Find out more here: https://www.connectdigitalstudy.com/ or SPFT Research Studies

Email the research team: spft.connectdigitalstudy@nhs.net

SlowMo2: Testing a therapy for people with paranoia

The SloMo2 study will explore how well SloMo therapy works when used in everyday NHS mental health services. SloMo is a digitally supported talking therapy designed to help people who have worries about harm from others. It works by helping people slow down fast thinking habits that can contribute to worries, to find ways of feeling safer and living well. Previous research has shown that people find SloMo helpful, easy to use, and enjoyable.

This study will assess how SloMo can be delivered by NHS therapists and whether it improves outcomes for service users. The target is to deliver SloMo therapy to 150 service user participants (50 per NHS Trust site), recruited over an 18-month period.

We will measure SloMo's impact on service user's mental health, how well it fits into routine care, and its value for money. If successful, SloMo could be made more widely available across the NHS.

Find out more here: https://www.slomotherapy.co.uk/ or SPFT Research Studies

Email the research team: spft.slomotherapy@nhs.net

The Sleeping Better study

Aiming to find out whether the Sleeping Better therapy works, half of the people who take part will have the sleep therapy and half will not. Whether a person has the therapy is decided randomly decided by a computer. The sleep therapy is provided in around eight sessions over 12 weeks. The research team then see how people have got on with and without the therapy. Everyone will meet a research assistant to conduct the assessments to find out if things have changed. These assessments will be at the beginning and then after 12 and 24 weeks.

Find out more here: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN71800376 or SPFT Research Studies

Email the research team: spft.sleepingbetter@nhs.net

PIPP2: Prevelance of Pathogenic Antibodies in Psychosis 

This study aims to see how many people with psychosis may have a specific problem with their immune system. We can find out that by testing your blood sample for specific antibodies.

Find out more here: NIHR : Be part of research or SPFT Research Studies

Email the research team: spft.askaboutresearch@nhs.net

Vision Quest: Understanding Visual Hallucinations

One in three people with psychosis have visions, also known as visual hallucinations. Surprisingly, little is known about these experiences. We are trying to understand more about the thoughts people have about their visions and the impact they can have on their lives. This study aims to develop our understanding of visions in two ways:

  1. Develop a new measure exploring people's beliefs about visions
  2. Explore the relationship between visions and other issues such as poor sleep, high worry. 

Find out more here: or SPFT Research Studies

Email the research team: Joanna.Pooley@nhs.net

The Improving Social Recovery in Psychosis (ISRIP) trial 

The Improving Social Recovery in Psychosis (ISRIP) trial is a large multisite study funded by a National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment grant. The study addresses severe social disability in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are the mental health problems most frequently associated with poor social outcomes and the personal and economic costs are large, particularly for those from minoritised groups. Current psychosocial interventions have limited impact, particularly for those most affected.

The ISRIP study will test whether a psychological intervention called Social Recovery Therapy (SRT), delivered alongside usual care, improves time spent in structured activity compared to usual care alone. Secondary outcomes include symptoms, mood, hopefulness, and quality of life. We will also explore the cost-effectiveness of the intervention and conduct a and long-term follow-up to see whether any benefits are maintained. The trial also includes a mixed-methods process evaluation to understand implementation, cultural adaptations, and experiences of underserved groups.

We will recruit 350 adults with non-affective psychosis who have significant social disability. SRT will be delivered by trained psychological practitioners in community mental health services, trained and supported by expert supervisors. Participants will be assessed at baseline, 9 and 15-months, with a longer-term follow-up at 24 months. This research will provide high-quality evidence on SRT’s effectiveness and inform NHS implementation. 

More information about the project can be found here: Improving Social Recovery in Psychosis (ISRIP): a definitive randomised controlled trial and process evaluation of Social Recovery Therapy compared to treatment as usual for people with psychosis and severe social disability - NIHR Funding and Awards

Email the research team: spft.askaboutresearch@nhs.net