None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The aim of the research project is to deliver and test an innovative digital smartphone intervention, Peer Tree, which is designed to reduce loneliness in young people with psychosis and other mental health conditions. The intervention is administered daily for 6 weeks. Young people aged 16-25 years who report high levels of loneliness and have a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder or a different disorder that has psychotic features will be recruited. In accordance with a randomised control trial study design, after participants complete the baseline assessment, they will be randomised to either the treatment as usual or intervention group. Those in the waitlist group will complete treatment as usual but will be provided with the same content once they have completed the research project. This will be provided in the form of +Connect, the predecessor of Peer Tree that doesn’t not contain the forums. Our research is expected to contribute to the development of personalised, modular mental health interventions that are cost-effective and efficient. There are currently no personalised, modular interventions available to address loneliness in young people.
Interventions
Participants will be assessed to determine their eligibility in the study, part of this assessment period is to confirm a psychotic disorder diagnosis. All participants enrolled in the trial will undergo three assessments sessions: baseline (before Peer Tree), post-intervention/end of treatment (immediately after 6week intervention ends), and three months post intervention. After the baseline assessment, participants will be randomised to one of the following two arms:Peer Tree Smartphone Applic
Participants will be assessed to determine their eligibility in the study, part of this assessment period is to confirm a psychotic disorder diagnosis. All participants enrolled in the trial will undergo three assessments sessions: baseline (before Peer Tree), post-intervention/end of treatment (immediately after 6week intervention ends), and three months post intervention. After the baseline assessment, participants will be randomised to one of the following two arms:Peer Tree Smartphone Application or Treatment as usual. Peer Tree Smartphone Application Participants will use the Peer Tree smartphone application individually for approximately 5-10 minutes per day for 6 consecutive weeks. They will have the flexibility to use the app wherever and whenever they would like, with researchers being able to measure meta-data for adherence to using the smartphone application. The intervention involves short video clips in the form of animations, shared experience videos, actor videos, and expert videos displaying information about different social and emotional processing, and positive psychology principles. The content of the videos include a range of different themes from identifying strengths to expressing gratitude to findings wider meaning. Participants rate their mood daily and are presented with one video per day. They answer questions about the videos to earn in-app rewards (e.g., tokens/badges to interact with the app). Challenges are provided throughout the intervention to assist participants in exercising the skills they have learnt and to maximise building relationships, these are not compulsory but are encouraged. Participants will also be able to access an online, moderated forum where they can discuss the different topics and challenges within the app. These will be moderated by clinicians, researchers, and peer moderators to ensure the safety of the app users.
Sponsors
Swinburne University of Technology
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
16 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1) Primary diagnosis of a Psychotic Disorder (Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective, Schizophreniform, Brief Psychotic Disorder, Delusional Disorder, Substance Induced Psychotic Disorder, Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified). 2) Aged between 16 and 25 years 3) Owns a smartphone device (iPhone or Android device) 4) Be engaged with a current mental health organisation of service (or was engaged at time of Baseline Assessment) or be currently engaged with a General Practitioner
Exclusion criteria
1) Acutely unwell or recently (e.g., hospitalised within the last 4 weeks for psychiatric reasons, or reports being acutely unwell) 2) Moderate to High Risk Issues (including suicidality and risk of harm to self, others, and objects) 3) Under the age of 16 and over the age of 25 4) Doesn't own a smartphone device 5) Known diagnosis of Personality Disorder 6) Current Substance dependence or abuse
Outcome results
None listed