Comparison between extension of specialised early intervention for first episode psychosis and regular care: a randomised controlled trial

ISRCTN ISRCTN11889976
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN11889976
Secondary identifying numbers MCT-94189
Submission date
20/03/2009
Registration date
10/06/2009
Last edited
06/07/2020
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Ashok Malla
Scientific

Douglas Hospital Research Centre
6875 LaSalle BLVD
Montreal
H4H 1R3
Canada

Study information

Study designOpen-label randomised controlled design
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleA randomised controlled evaluation of 'extended specialised early intervention service' versus 'regular care' for management of early psychosis over the five year critical period
Study acronymPEPP RCT
Study objectivesPrimary hypothesis:
Individuals in the experimental group will show higher rates of symptomatic remission and experience longer periods of remission than the control group throughout the extension period of three years.

Secondary hypotheses:
1. The difference in remission rates will be mediated by the level of medication adherence in the two groups
2. As the experimental group is expected to have higher levels of working alliance with their treatment providers than the control group, we hypothesise that the difference in the level of medication adherence between the two groups and retention in treatment will be predicted by working alliance
3. The experimental group will have better clinical outcomes (lower relapse rates and levels of symptoms), functional outcomes (social/occupational functioning), and quality of life than the control group

Finally, we will assess the cost-effectiveness of extended specialised early intervention (SEI) versus the control intervention. A hypothesis for this is not easily justified as the determination of whether the greater benefits are worth the extra cost, if incurred, is a matter of judgement. Cost-effectiveness analysis serves to clarify just what additional resources are required to achieve a given degree of additional benefit.
Ethics approval(s)Douglas Institute Research Ethics Board (REB) approved in June 2007; last modification approved in November 2008.
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedFirst episode psychosis
InterventionExperimental intervention: extended specialised early intervention service (SEI) -
Patients randomised to the experimental condition will receive an extension of the SEI service beyond the current two years. It is important to recognise that it is the effectiveness of the total package of an extended SEI service, with its multiple components and not any single component of that model that is being tested. Individual treatment components included in the SEI extension are described below briefly with each component having its efficacy already well established in numerous controlled studies. The entire 'package' meets standards of optimum SEI service as outlined in the International Early Psychosis Association guidelines and has been proven to be effective after two years of delivery in several randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (e.g., the OPUS trial). In the proposed study, the SEI service will be extended for an additional three years for the experimental condition to cover the entire 'critical period'. Specifically, patients in the extended SEI service will receive the following:
1. Modified assertive case management
2. Continued emphasis on appropriate treatment goals
3. Continued family support and intervention
4. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
5. Treatment of problems associated with substance abuse

Control intervention: SEI for two years followed by regular care -
Patients randomised to the control condition will receive treatment as usual in general medical or regular psychiatric services that are normally available to all patients in the absence of an SEI service. Under usual circumstances, patients are provided treatment in a variety of settings and there is often great variability in the level and quality of care received by patients. Regular care can include any of the following:
1. Hospital out-patient services where most of the care is provided by psychiatrists with or without nursing or other professional involvement
2. Care by psychiatrists in community office practice
3. Care by family physicians with variable support from psychiatric services. Such care is usually provided in settings that treat other psychiatric patients with a variety of diagnoses and different levels of chronicity.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureDefined by remission status, measured as the proportion of patients in complete remission (to make it comparable to the OPUS follow-up study in order to increase generalisability) achieved by patients for the entire period of three years of the additional intervention (following randomisation). Using sustained remission as the primary outcome measure is justified because of high association of length of remission and functional outcome (work and social functioning). Remission status will be measured upon entry and every three months (at evaluation) until completion at 3 years.
Secondary outcome measures1. Clinical outcome, measured upon entry and every three months until completion
2. Functional outcome, measured every six months until completion
3. Quality of life, measured every six months until completion
Overall study start date01/04/2009
Completion date01/04/2014

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants240
Total final enrolment217
Key inclusion criteriaThe aim of our study is to demonstrate effectiveness of a model of care applicable to the largest number of persons with first episode psychosis (FEP) as they appear in clinical settings and not to show efficacy of a single treatment intervention for patients with pure unencumbered diagnoses. Therefore, the inclusion criteria are designed to recruit patients truly representative of FEP patients likely to be seen in any treatment facility:
1. Aged 18 - 35 years, either sex
2. Able to provide informed consent
3. Meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for a psychotic disorder (schizophrenia spectrum psychoses and affective psychosis) confirmed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders Patient Edition
4. Have completed 24 months of treatment and follow-up in one of the two SEI services. Patients with co-morbid diagnosis of substance abuse and dependence will be included.
Key exclusion criteria1. Lack of ability to provide informed consent as assessed by requesting patient to provide brief summary of treatment protocol following presentation of the consent form
2. Lack of ability to speak either English or French fluently as assessed by the patient indicating English or French as the preferred language for communication
3. Intelligence quotient (I.Q.) below 70 as assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) short form
Date of first enrolment01/04/2009
Date of final enrolment01/04/2014

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Canada

Study participating centre

Douglas Hospital Research Centre
Montreal
H4H 1R3
Canada

Sponsor information

Douglas Hospital Research Centre (Canada)
Hospital/treatment centre

Perry Pavilion, Fourth Floor, Rm. E-4206
6875 LaSalle Blvd.
Borough of Verdun
Montreal, Quebec
H4H 1R3
Canada

Website http://www.douglasrecherche.qc.ca
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/05dk2r620

Funders

Funder type

Research organisation

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) (Canada) - http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca (ref: MCT-94189)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol article protocol 14/02/2015 Yes No
Results article results 01/07/2019 06/07/2020 Yes No

Editorial Notes

06/07/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The total final enrolment number has been added from the reference.