REACT Trial: Supporting relatives of people with psychosis or bipolar disorder
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN72019945 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN72019945 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | 19695 |
- Submission date
- 19/11/2015
- Registration date
- 19/11/2015
- Last edited
- 10/08/2022
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Approximately 1 in 100 people will experience mental health problems at some point in their lives.
Bipolar disorder, previously known as “manic depression”, is a disorder characterised by extreme mood swings, alternating between mania (extreme highs) and depression (extreme lows). People suffering from BD can also show signs of psychosis. Psychosis is a serious mental disorder in which thought and emotions are impaired, causing a person to lose touch with reality. These conditions are thought to affect more than 6 million people in the UK alone. Many relatives of people with psychosis or BD provide a large amount of vital unpaid care, but at huge personal cost in terms of high levels of distress, a significant practical, financial and emotional burden, and increased use of healthcare services. The UK Government recognises the need to support relatives in a caring role and NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) recommends that this is done by providing them with structured information and support. However, evidence shows that relatives often are not able to access the information and support they need. A recent review of the quality of mental health services has shown that improving support for relatives should be a national priority. REACT is an online resource which has been developed to provide relatives with the information and support they need. It works by providing information about how best to cope with a relative suffering from BD or psychosis, as well as providing a support network with other people in a similar situation. The aim of this study is to find out whether the REACT online toolkit is an effective and cost-effective way of supporting relatives of people suffering from BD or psychosis.
Who can participate?
Adults who are relatives or close friends with someone suffering from bipolar disorder or psychosis.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group are given login details to access to the REACT toolkit. The toolkit is divided into a number of different modules which provide information about psychosis and BD, ideas of strategies they could use to manage common problems and stories (retold by actors) from other relatives about their experiences. Participants are also able to contact “REACT supporters” (people with experience caring for someone with psychosis or BD) throughout the 24 week study, during office hours. Participants in the second group are given access to a “resource directory”, which lists details about how to access support that is currently available to relatives as well as information about how to get help through the NHS. Throughout the study, participants in both groups continue to receive any support or care that they usually receive. At the start of the study, 12 and 24 weeks, participants complete questionnaires in order to measure their level of distress.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit from being able to talk about and explore their personal experiences. Additionally, the resource directly available to all participants could help them to develop a better understanding of bipolar disorder and psychosis and potential avenues for support as a relative of someone with mental health problems. Participants are given high-street voucher(s) in appreciation of their contribution to this research. The most likely risk to participants in this trial is increased distress (note that participants must be distressed in order to take part in the study).
Where is the study run from?
The study takes place online, and is run from Lancaster University (UK).
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2015 to September 2018
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)
Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Heather Robinson (Public)
2. Professor Fiona Lobban (Scientific)
f.lobban@lancaster.ac.uk
Contact information
Public
Division of Health Research
Faculty of Health & Medicine
Room C07
Furness Building
Lancaster University
Lancaster
LA1 4YG
United Kingdom
Scientific
Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research
School of Health and Medicine
Division of Health Research
Lancaster University
Lancaster
LA1 4YG
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0001-6594-4350 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +44 (0)1524 593752 |
| f.lobban@lancaster.ac.uk |
Study information
| Study design | Single-blind multi-centre randomised controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Internet/virtual |
| Study type | Treatment |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet |
| Scientific title | An online randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of a peer supported self-management intervention for relatives of people with psychosis or bipolar disorder: Relatives Education And Coping Toolkit (REACT) |
| Study acronym | REACT |
| Study hypothesis | The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of an online peer supported self-management intervention (REACT) for relatives of people with psychosis or bipolar disorder. |
| Ethics approval(s) | RES Committee North West – Lancaster, 21/09/2015, ref: 15/NW/0732 |
| Condition | Topic: Mental Health, Primary Care; Subtopic: Bipolar affective disorder, Psychosis, Primary care; Disease: Bipolar affective disorder, Psychosis, All Diseases |
| Intervention | Current interventions as of 23/10/2017: Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Participants in both groups continue to receive treatment as usual (TAU) throughout the duration of the study period (i.e. any support and/or help that they currently receive). Group 1: Participants in this group receive the REACT intervention, a facilitated online intervention for relatives of people with psychosis/BD. The toolkit is comprehensive and modular in format so that the content is divided into manageable sections which can be used flexibly depending on the individual needs of the relative. Although the information is by necessity standardised, the toolkit is designed to help relatives tailor this information to make it more specific to their family. Case examples, activity tasks (including reflective questionnaires), and self-assessment tasks are used extensively to aid illustration. To enhance peer support and interactivity the toolkit includes the REACT Group (a peer support discussion board) and a Direct Messaging facility, which allows participants to ask for further information in a private context from REACT Supporters. REACT Supporters all have experience of caring for someone with psychosis or BD, and work to facilitate the website. Group 2: Participants receive a Resource Directory which lists details of how to access the full range of support currently available to relatives. The Directory will include websites of the main national organisations including MIND, Carers Trust, Rethink Mental Illness, Carers UK, SANE, Bipolar UK, Samaritans, and NHS Choices, amongst others. The current treatments used for participants in both groups are assessed using the adapted CSRI which will include contact with health, social and voluntary sector services. No direct changes will be made to current treatment as part of the trial. Relatives will be informed that taking part in the trial will not affect any support or services that they, or their relative, receive. Therefore, this study compares the addition to treatment as usual of a standardised way to deliver this intervention via the REACT website (including Resource Directory), with treatment as usual plus a Resource Directory which signposts relatives to currently available support in the NHS and voluntary sector. Both REACT and The Resource Directory will be available from the point at which people enter the study for at least the 6 month follow-up period, and then continuing to the end of the funded study. Participants in the resource directory arm will have access to the content of the modules after the final follow-up. Previous interventions: Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Participants in both groups continue to receive treatment as usual (TAU) throughout the duration of the study period (i.e. any support and/or help that they currently receive). Group 1: Participants in this group receive the REACT intervention, a facilitated online intervention for relatives of people with psychosis/BD. The toolkit is comprehensive and modular in format so that the content is divided into manageable sections which can be used flexibly depending on the individual needs of the relative. Although the information is by necessity standardised, the toolkit is designed to help relatives tailor this information to make it more specific to their family. Case examples, activity tasks (including quizzes), and self-assessment tasks are used extensively to aid illustration. To enhance peer support and interactivity the toolkit inlcudes the REACT Group (a peer support discussion board) and an “Ask the Experts” facility, which will feed into a “Frequently Asked Questions” information page. The REACT website will be facilitated by “REACT Supporters” with experience of caring for someone with psychosis or BD. Group 2: Participants receive a Resource Directory which lists details of how to access the full range of support currently available to relatives. The Directory will include websites of the main national organisations including MIND, Carers Trust, Rethink Mental Illness, Carers UK, SANE, Bipolar UK, Samaritans, and NHS Choices. It will also explain how to access support through NHS health services. This information is included in one of the modules on the REACT site but will be available to control participants via a separate link. This ensures that all relatives in the trial have access to current best practice. The current treatments used for participants in both groups are assessed using the adapted CSRI which will include contact with health, social and voluntary sector services. No direct changes will be made to current treatment as part of the trial. Relatives will be informed that taking part in the trial will not affect any support or services that they, or their relative, receive. Therefore, this study compares the addition to treatment as usual of a standardised way to deliver this intervention via the REACT website (including Resource Directory), with treatment as usual plus a Resource Directory which signposts relatives to currently available support in the NHS and voluntary sector. Both REACT and The Resource Directory will be available from the point at which people enter the study for at least the 6 month follow-up period, and then continuing to the end of the funded study. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure | Relatives' distress is measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) at 24 weeks |
| Secondary outcome measures | Current secondary outcome measures as of 23/10/2017: 1. Relatives' distress is measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) at 12 weeks 2. Relatives' well-being is measured using the Carers' Well-Being and Support Measure (CWS) at 12 and 24 weeks 3. Costs of delivering the intervention versus NHS and productivity cost savings in use of health services and paid work (adapted version of the CSRI) at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks 4. Cost effectiveness – cost of significant unit change (defined as 3 point reduction) in primary outcome (GHQ-28) at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks 5. Cost utility – marginal cost of any changes in marginal change in quality adjusted life years (QALYs) (making use of the EQ-5D-5L, as recommended by NICE) at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks 6. Mechanism of change for the REACT intervention is measured using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) and Brief COPE at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks Previous secondary outcome measures: 1. Relatives' well-being is measured using the Carers' Well-Being and Support Measure (CWS) at 24 weeks 2. Costs of delivering the intervention versus NHS and productivity cost savings in use of health services and paid work (adapted version of the CSRI) at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks 3. Cost effectiveness – cost of significant unit change (defined as 3 point reduction) in primary outcome (GHQ-28) at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks 4. Cost utility – marginal cost of any changes in marginal change in quality adjusted life years (QALYs) (making use of the EQ-5D-5L, as recommended by NICE) at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks 5. Mechanism of change for the REACT intervention is measured using the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) and Brief COPE at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks |
| Overall study start date | 01/10/2015 |
| Overall study end date | 30/09/2018 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Carer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | Planned Sample Size: 666; UK Sample Size: 666; Description: We require 666 relatives to take part based on our power calculation. |
| Total final enrolment | 800 |
| Participant inclusion criteria | 1. Aged 16 or over. 2. Are the relative or close friend of someone with a psychosis or bipolar disorder (removed 23/10/2017: friends are required to have a period of at least 6 months within the last 2 years during which there was regular contact) 3. Distressed (according to GHQ score) 4. Currently seeking help 5. Regular access to a computer which is connected to the internet 6. A good working knowledge of written and spoken English |
| Participant exclusion criteria | (Removed 23/10/2017: Currently taking part in another research study evaluating an intervention for relatives of people with mental health problems) 1. Living outside the UK 2. Living in any of the 6 areas involved in the IMPART study |
| Recruitment start date | 22/04/2016 |
| Recruitment end date | 31/08/2017 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- England
- United Kingdom
Study participating centre
Faculty of Health & Medicine
Room C07
Furness Building
Lancaster
LA1 4YG
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
University/education
Research Support Office B58
Bowland Main
Bailrigg
Lancaster
LA1 4YT
England
United Kingdom
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/04f2nsd36 |
|---|
Funders
Funder type
Government
Government organisation / National government
- Alternative name(s)
- National Institute for Health Research, NIHR Research, NIHRresearch, NIHR - National Institute for Health Research, NIHR (The National Institute for Health and Care Research), NIHR
- Location
- United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 30/11/2019 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| Publication and dissemination plan | 1. All products will be widely disseminated to all relevant stakeholders including service users, relatives, NHS managers and frontline clinical staff including GPs; clinical academics; the general public. A study website will additionally provide updates and outputs from the study and links to all publications and presentations. 2. A trial protocol paper will be submitted for publication before the end of the data collection period of the trial 3. A full report will be submitted to NIHR within 6 months of the end of the funding period 4. A main outcome paper will follow the end of the study 5. Additional papers describing health economic and mechanistic process will follow |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from the Trial Management Group (TMG) Chair Prof. Fiona Lobban (f.lobban@lancaster.ac.uk). The data will be available indefinitely once the trial papers have been published. Participants have consented to their data being used for secondary analysis of broader research questions related to improving outcomes for relatives of people with psychosis or bipolar disorder. All data will be anonymised. Consent for any analysis must be confirmed by the TMG Chair. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 14/04/2020 | 12/05/2020 | Yes | No |
| Results article | results | 01/06/2020 | 02/07/2020 | Yes | No |
| Protocol article | 18/07/2017 | 10/08/2022 | Yes | No | |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No |
Editorial Notes
10/08/2022: Publication reference added.
02/07/2020: Publication reference added.
12/05/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The total final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
09/03/2020: The intention to publish date was changed from 30/09/2019 to 30/11/2019.
20/06/2019: The intention to publish date was changed from 31/12/2018 to 30/09/2019.
20/11/2017: IPD sharing statement added.
23/10/2017: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment start date was changed from 01/03/2016 to 22/04/2016.
2. The recruitment end date was changed from 30/04/2017 to 31/08/2017.
