NIHRDataInsights/HRCSData huggingface dataset:
Title: 2012 Bamford Call: Transitions & outcomes for care leavers with mental health and/or intellectual disabilities
Funder: Health and Social Care Research and Development Division (HSC R&D) of Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland

Abstract: This study examines the interface between child and adult services to support the needs of care leavers with mental health and/or intellectual disabilities transitioning to adult life. These young people are over-represented in the leaving care population; are at high risk of multiple levels of adversity, exclusion and oppression as they move into young adult life; and are likely to require continued support during transition and in young adult life. Yet there has been very limited consideration of the transitional experiences of this group of care leavers in extant research literature. The study will use existing health and social care data collection processes to profile the characteristics of care leavers with mental health and/or intellectual disabilities and undertake case studies with a sample of these care leavers to examine transitional experiences and outcomes in young adult life. Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods will be utilised, including an innovative peer research approach. Case studies will provide new insights into their transitional experiences and develop recommendations on how best to organise the interface between child and adult service systems to more effectively support their transition to adult life. It is anticipated that findings from this study will inform child and adult health and social care providers on how to make best use of available resources and effectively fulfil Corporate Parenting responsibilities across the boundaries of child, 16+ and adult service systems The study should also inform future service development by investigating the effectiveness and compatibility of existing service systems and exploring alternative models of service delivery to meet the transitional needs of care leavers with mental health and/or intellectual disabilities.


Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: 2012 Bamford Call: Improving pathways and care for young people in NI with mental health problems in the transition from CAMHS to adult services (IMPACT)
Funder: Health and Social Care Research and Development Division (HSC R&D) of Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland

Abstract: This study aims to determine what is the best way to organise the interface between services for children and young people and for adults in order to support the transition from childhood to adulthood? A similar study in England (TRACK) found that only 4% of young people experienced the ideal transition. In many areas, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are designed to meet the needs of a wide range of disorders such as Attention Deficit and Hyper Activity Disorder (ADHD) or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), whereas adult mental health is usually restricted to people with psychosis or severe depression. Consequently, many such young people may find that on reaching adult services there is a lack of appropriate treatment and care. Many others, particularly young men with complex problems, disengage from services only to make contact later with more intractable problems We propose to undertake a mixed methods study in which we will examine the transition of young people aged 16-18 years referred to CAMHS, systematically detailing their pathways to adult services and the involvement of community and primary care services. We will explore health and social outcomes including engagement and services satisfaction. The study will examine barriers to effective transition and will include Prof.essional and family perspectives. The team is comprised of experienced health service researchers, including academic psychiatrists from the UK, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland who have expertise in CAMHS and early intervention services, in collaboration with senior NHS managers and young service users. The findings from this study will significantly contribute to the improvement in early intervention and continuity of care for young people in Northern Ireland.


Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: In:tuition 2: Trial Evaluation of the In:tuition Programme
Funder: Alcohol Research UK

Abstract: An independent evaluation of In:tuition: an interactive, life-skills programmed developed by Drinkaware. The evaluation is funded and overseen by Alcohol Research UK using a grant provided by Drinkaware.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Adolescent eating disorders and related behaviours: longitudinal course and risk factors
Funder: Department of Health (England)

Abstract: Eating disorders and related behaviours (EdrB) start in early adolescence, and affect about 30% of adolescents. Eating disorders (ED) are associated with a high disease burden and mortality. There is still uncertainty about the course and nosology of adolescent EdrB and relevant risk factors of EdrB. Objectives: 1) To clarify the course and significance of EdrB in early and mid-adolescence; 2) to build a developmental model of (genetic and environmental) risk factors for adolescent EdrB; to determine if maternal ED is an additional independant risk ractor for this. I will study the Avon Longditudinal Study of Parents and their Children (ALSPAC); a well characterised population-basedcohort of 14,000 mothers and children. I will use available (genetic and environmental) data previously collected and collect data on adolescent EdrB at age 14 and 16 (from parents and adolescents). I will also collect additional data on lifetime/current maternal ED and ED symptoms and their course. Aims: 1) Main outcomes will be latent classes of EdrB (longditudinal and cross-sectional), and EdrB symptom presence. These will be used as dependant variables for aim 2). For 1) I will use longditudinal class analysis and growth trajectory models and structural equation modelling. For Aim 2) molecular genetic analyses will use individual polymorphisms . I will use linear and logistic regression and multilevel extensions as well as structural equation modelling to investigate the role of risk factors. This study will be fundamental in informing appropriate prevention strategies and early intervention


Research activity codes: 2.3 PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS;2.2 FACTORS RELATING TO PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Implementing improvement strategies based on an Integrated Care Pathway for Early Psychosis.
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: Integrated Care Pathways (ICPs) form a key part of the Scottish Government's Strategy to implement service redesign. Furthermore, the Healthcare Quality Strategy for NHSScotland prioritises caring and compassionate staff and services, effective collaboration between clinicians, patients and others and clinical excellence. In our previous research, we have being able to identify a group of individuals recovering from a first episode of psychosis have difficulties engaging and collaborating with services. This group is at heightened risk of poor outcome reflected in higher negative symptoms and failure to achieve remission at 12-months. In line with the Healthcare Quality Strategy our aim is to implement and evaluate an Integrated Care Pathway for improving (a) person centred care and (b) increasing the availability of effective interventions for individuals with psychosis who are at heightened risk of poor outcome following a first episode of psychosis and who are at risk of disengagement from services.


Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: A volitional helpsheet (VHS) to reduce self-harm: A randomised trial
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: Aim. To investigate the efficacy of a VHS in the management of SH. Research Questions. (1) Does a VHS reduce the number of people who re-present to hospital with SH in the six months following an index episode of SH? (2) Does a VHS reduce the number of SH episodes per person in the six months following an index episode of SH?


Research activity codes: 6.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Measuring and monitoring patient informed clinical outcomes in psychological therapy supervision (MEMOS). A stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial.
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: Providing feedback on patient progress to therapists improves clinical outcomes for clients, particularly those who are failing to improve with therapy. This encouraging research has been carried out by a small group of researchers, largely working in the US health care context. The samples studied have been young people attending university counselling services, suffering from mild mental health disorders. Given that therapists are not necessarily alert to treatment failure, have an overly optimistic view of their patient’s progress in therapy even when provided with evidence to the contrary, clinical supervision may be a more effective method through which to provide patient informed clinical outcomes than directly to therapists themselves.


Research activity codes: 6.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: COUNSELLING VERSUS LOW-INTENSITY COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY FOR PERSISTENT SUBTHRESHOLD AND MILD DEPRESSION (CLICD): A PILOT/FEASIBILITY RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: Persistent depressive symptoms below the threshold criteria for major depression is a chronic condition with a prolonged course and high risk of relapse or progression to major depressive episodes. This is a 3-arm pilot randomised controlled clinical trial comparing short-term (6 months) outcomes of counselling and low-intensity cognitive behaviour therapy with treatment as usual for the treatment of persistent subthreshold and mild depression. Patients will be randomised to either eight weekly sessions of person-centred counselling, eight weeks of cognitive-behavioural self-help resources with telephone support, or GP usual care. This pilot will provide estimates for the recruitment, adherence, and retention rates for the main trial. If the pilot study demonstrates that recruitment and retention rates at six months are satisfactory, and if results are consistent with there being some potential benefit for treatment participants, we will apply for funding for a definitive trial from NHS HTA including an 18 months follow-up.


Research activity codes: 6.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: retinopathy screening predict future referral to ophthalmology?
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: Building on our experiences, the proposed study is a Pilot Trial to determine the parameters of a larger, definitive pragmatic multi-centre (UK wide) randomised controlled trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACTdp) for individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia who also meet diagnostic criteria for major depression. The proposed trial is a 24-month Prospective Randomised Open Blinded Evaluation (PROBE) which will investigate (a) target Population - confirm the eligibility and suitability of individuals who are likely to benefit from treatment; (b) Intervention - identify any modifications required to our ACTdp protocol; (c) Control group - explicitly work out the content of the 'Standardized Treatment' (ST) package and its local implementation, and how to measure uptake and fidelity to ST; (d) Outcomes - confirm which outcomes are appropriate for measuring all relevant dimensions of a treatment effect. Participants will be randomised to ACTdp plus Standard Treatment (ST) versus ST alone.


Research activity codes: 6.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Are positive psychotherapy techniques feasible in acquired brain injury rehabilitation?
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: Stroke, head injury and other forms of brain injury are a major cause of physical, psychological and social disability in the adult population. Psychological distress is common following brain injury, but the evidence base for specific psychotherapeutic methods in this population is limited, and standard treatment approaches may not be suitable. Recently there has been a growing interest in positive psychology – the study of wellbeing, positive emotions and characteristics, and personal growth. We believe that positive psychotherapy techniques may be beneficial in post-brain injury rehabilitation, to prevent or reduce psychological morbidity. Because such techniques have not previously been applied in this population, we propose to conduct pilot work to examine the feasibility and acceptability of two promising intervention techniques, in addition to examining the reliability and validity of positive psychology assessment measures. This project will provide essential information to allow us to plan future clinical trials in this area.


Research activity codes: 6.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Understanding of, and responses to, self-harming patients among Scottish General Practitioners: a cross-sectional, observational study
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: This intensive qualitative investigation will explore General Practitioners' (CPs') understanding of, and response to, self-harming patients and identify gaps in GPs' training needs relating to the recognition and management of self-harm. A purposive sample of 20-30 GPs will be recruited from practices within Edinburgh CHP. Participants will be chosen to ensure maximum sample diversity in respect of age, gender, professional experience and location of practice (areas of low and high socio-economic deprivation). They will be asked to take part in an in-depth personal interview and to respond to vignettes which describe different self-harm scenarios. Study findings will be used to design a tailored training intervention to support GPs in more effective management of self-harming patients. A secondary aim of the present study will be to assess the feasibility of conducting an evaluation of such an intervention.


Research activity codes: 7.3 MANAGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Economic evaluation of MEMOS: Measuring and monitoring patient informed clinical outcomes in psychological therapy supervision
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: We have been awarded a CSO grant (MEMOS: CZH/4/708) to assess if providing feedback through the supervision process is more effective than providing this information to therapists themselves in terms of improving clinical outcomes, particularly for patients who are failing to improve with routine NHS psychological therapy. The CSO committee asked us to consider an economic evaluation to run alongside the randomised controlled trial. We wish to evaluate if it is more cost effective to provide an alert for patients who are failing to improve with therapy (through supervision in the MEMOS condition) as opposed to standard supervision where an alert is not given though therapists do receive feedback on patient’s progress. We hypothesise that alerting supervisors and therapists that patients are not improving (in MEMOS) may increase therapy time (and cost) but with better clinical outcomes and lower cost in the longer term. We have been awarded a CSO grant (MEMOS: CZH/4/708) to assess if providing feedback through the supervision process is more effective than providing this information to therapists themselves in terms of improving clinical outcomes, particularly for patients who are failing to improve with routine NHS psychological therapy. The CSO committee asked us to consider an economic evaluation to run alongside the randomised controlled trial. We wish to evaluate if it is more cost effective to provide an alert for patients who are failing to improve with therapy (through supervision in the MEMOS condition) as opposed to standard supervision where an alert is not given though therapists do receive feedback on patient’s progress. We hypothesise that alerting supervisors and therapists that patients are not improving (in MEMOS) may increase therapy time (and cost) but with better clinical outcomes and lower cost in the longer term.


Research activity codes: 7.1 INDIVIDUAL CARE NEEDS
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: A feasibility study for a trial of Recovery versus Mindfulness models for Depression (ReMoDe)
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: Much of the burden of depression relates to its recurrent nature. Guidelines support early intervention for recurrent episodes with pharmacological and psychological interventions, including Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), which was designed specifically to help people who suffer repeated bouts. MBCT would benefit from comparison with other interventions. Self-help and mutual/peer support have also become increasingly important approaches in addressing mental health. Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) based mutual support models can be a cost effective mechanism for offering care and support through voluntary input of non-professionals in their delivery. MBCT training and delivery can be costly: it is only currently delivered within NHS settings. However, beyond the qualitative impact of the Recovery approach there is little evidence for its effectiveness. We propose a feasibility study leading to a trial of the effectiveness of WRAP V MBCT to compare their outcomes, delivery/sustainability costs and cost/benefits.


Research activity codes: 6.6 PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: Community Pharmacy Services for drug Misusers: Measuring National Service Delivery and the Development of Professional Attitudes and Practice Over Two Decades
Funder: Chief Scientist Office (Scotland)

Abstract: In 1995, 2000 and 2006 identical surveys were conducted of all community pharmacies in Scotland to chart the development of the services they provide for drug misusers. These surveys provided detailed information on pharmacists’ attitudes, involvement, training and experience of/in various aspects of drug misuse services such as prescribing, needle exchange and non-prescription drug misuse. Furthermore, prescribing data was obtained that gave information on prescription source (GP or specialist) and dispensing requirements e.g. supervised consumption. Since 2006 there have been further developments in drug treatment. There has been a new drug Strategy emphasising recovery with subsequent changes in the management of substance misusers in specialist services. There has also been the implementation of pharmacist prescribing. A further survey using the same data collection tool with minor modifications is proposed. This would allow the impact of these changes to be assessed as well as informing service development, delivery and training.


Research activity codes: 8.1 ORGANISATION AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES;8.3 POLICY, ETHICS AND RESEARCH GOVERNANCE
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH
Title: 2012 Cochrane Fellowship-Claire McCartan- Early Education Interventions for Improving School-Readiness
Funder: Health and Social Care Research and Development Division (HSC R&D) of Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland

Abstract: School readiness comprises the adequate development of those cognitive, social and emotional skills needed for academic success, physical and mental health and general wellbeing (Noble et al. 2012; Doyle et al. 2012; Savage and Waldfogel 2011). Children from socially disadvantaged families often start school with poorly developed ‘school readiness skills’, particularly emergent literacy and maths skills, and skills associated with socio-emotional development. Negative and anti-social behaviours are related to poor academic performance and young people facing emotional difficulties and family disruption they are at increased risk of school drop-out, academic failure and school discipline problems (Alexander et al. 2001; Loeber & Farrington 2000; Kutash et al. 2006). A range of interventions have been developed that seek to develop school-readiness in young children. They address one or more of a range of factors associated with poor school readiness. Some aim to equip the child for education, with particular emphasis on the skills of literacy and numeracy; others concentrate on developing skills in executive functioning, and/or psychosocial competencies important for learning including self-regulation, sitting still, listening, following instructions and taking turns in conversation and play - pro-social behaviours that have been linked with positive academic outcomes (Pasi 2000; DiPerna & Elliott 1999). Increasingly, teachers and schools are seeking to attend to these developmental concerns for the benefit of all students. The proposed review will synthesise evidence from randomised and quasi randomised trials of early education-based interventions for school readiness. Participants will be primary school children up to age 7. Interventions will be any pre-school, classroom based intervention designed to augment children’s social-emotional competence and/or language development/emergent literacy skills. The intervention may include a family-based component. Comparisons would be no-intervention of management as usual. Outcome domains will include: self-regulation, child behaviour; cognitive and language development; educational achievement; costs and adverse effects.


Research activity codes: 3.1 PRIMARY PREVENTION INTERVENTIONS TO MODIFY BEHAVIOURS OR PROMOTE WELL-BEING
Health categories: MENTAL HEALTH