Extrait

Background and study aims People living with mental illness in the community frequently become extremely socially isolated. It has been previously shown that social isolation is associated with worse mental and physical outcomes in the longer term. This trial seeks to examine whether spending time on weekly bases with a volunteer companion alleviates these patients social isolation and improves outcomes. Who can participate? Patients aged between 18-65, diagnosed with schizophrenia or a related disorder and being socially isolated. What does the study involve? Patients are randomly allocated into one of two groups. Those in group 1 (intervention group) meet with a volunteer weekly to spend at least an hour together. The patient chooses what they do during this time but the volunteer introduces a range of possible social activities, such as going out for tea and cake, or the cinema. Those patients in group 2 have a one-off meeting with a researcher to discuss the different possibilities of engaging in free or low-cost social activities and groups in the local area. Volunteer companions are training on their role and supported throughout the trial. Both patients and volunteers are assessed at four points during the trial, i.e. at the start, after 6 months, at the end of the 12-month trial, and, finally, 6 months after the trial has ended. Qualitative interviews are further carried out to explore their opinions and experiences of participating in the trial. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Within this study there are two groups of participants that we need to consider with regards to potential risks and benefits - the volunteer participants, and the patient participants. Main risk that may occur are: emotional burden; maintaining patient participant confidentiality; ending the relationship; abuse of both the volunteer participant and the patient participant. Main benefits involve an opportunity to widen one's social sphere, and to decrease one's social isolation in patients; for volunteers gains include gaining experience in working with someone with mental health illness; receiving training in mental health awareness, listening skills, equality and diversity. Where is the study run from? Newham Centre for Mental Health, London (UK) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? July 2015 to February 2016 Who is funding the study? National Institute for Health Research (UK) Who is the main contact? Dr Hana Pavlickova

Critère d'inclusion

• Topic: Mental Health; Subtopic: Schizophrenia, Psychosis; Disease: Schizophrenia, Psychosis

Liens

• isrctn
• ictrp