An evaluation of the effectiveness of an internet-based treatment program for psychotic like experiences.

In this Study, it is proposed that a delayed treatment randomised controlled trial will review the effectiveness of the internet-based self help program Ontrack GetReal. The trial will involve a wait list (control group) and an intervention group. The wait list will be offered the intervention three months later. Ontrack GetReal is a free online treatment program for people who are having odd or unusual experiences. The program may also help people in the early stages of psychosis, where they may be hearing voices or feel suspicious of other people. The program uses targeted evidence based therapy techniques that have been shown in research to be helpful with PLE’s. The overall aims of this study are: 1. To reduce distress associated with psychotic like experiences (PLEs) 2. To improve help seeking behaviours of young people if distressed 3. To determine if having e-support/ therapist contact assists in achieving the above outcomes. This internet based delayed treatment trial will compare two different Groups. Group 1 (control) allocated participants will firstly be placed on a wait list where they will complete the baseline assessments but not be offered access to the GetReal program for 3 months. They will receive an email each month to inform them that they are still ‘waiting’ ‘due to high demand’ and they will shortly be given access. Group 2 (intervention) will get full access to the GetReal program as well as access to an e-support/ therapist that will send automated step-care intervention emails based at re-engaging a participant who may “log on” for transient experience or unusual thought and then not continue to use the program. This group will receive 4 emails across the 3 month period. This email will review their use of the program and to prompt them to re-engage with the GetReal program should they require it. This study will be in a delayed treatment format to determine if the Getreal program improves the outcomes relating to (i) reducing any distress associated with odd or unusual experiences (ii) and/or increasing early help seeking behaviours compared to participants using a self-help program themselves. Participants will be randomly allocated to either the control or intervention group by a predetermined list of allocation. They will then complete all baseline measures and either (a) be placed on a wait list for 3 months or (b) have immediate access to the getreal program.