Social Work Intervention following Self-Harm
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN76914248 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN76914248 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | 16229 |
- Submission date
- 18/11/2013
- Registration date
- 29/01/2014
- Last edited
- 18/12/2020
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
The aim of the study is to investigate if a new social intervention can help people who have self-harmed (for example: taken an overdose of tablets) or may have thoughts of doing so.
Who can participate?
People who have been attending hospital following an episode of self-harm, or who have been referred by their GP to primary mental health care services because of self harm or thoughts of self harm.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to either receive the intervention or treatment as usual. Participants receiving the intervention have contact with a trained professional for 4-6 weeks. The help provided is basically a talking therapy, and participants are encouraged to engage with other services who can help them with social issues (for example with relationships or finances). The practitioner makes referrals where necessary and supports the person in contacting services where relevant. Both groups are assessed three times over three months to see if there is any difference between those who receive the intervention and those who do not.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
We hope that the intervention will lead to fewer re-hospitalisations and improved quality of life. Participants will be paid £10 in high street vouchers after the first assessment and then at the end of the study when they have completed both the 4-week and 12-week assessments they will receive a further £20 in vouchers. The only risks are that the participants will already be in an emotional state and might find the help provided causes them some further upset; however, to help them to learn to cope with their life events this is an essential part of the process and the researchers working on this project are experienced mental health workers.
Where is the study run from?
Swansea University (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2014 to May 2016
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Social Care and Health Research (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Nilufar Ahmed
n.ahmed@swansea.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
ILS2
Swansea University
Singeton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)1792 602651 |
|---|---|
| p.j.huxley@swansea.ac.uk |
Scientific
27 Haldane Building
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)1792 602819 |
|---|---|
| n.ahmed@swansea.ac.uk |
Study information
| Study design | Parallel randomised controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised parallel trial |
| Study setting(s) | Hospital |
| Study type | Treatment |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet |
| Scientific title | Social Work intervention following self-harm: a feasibility study for a replication of a successful intervention developed in Australia |
| Study acronym | SWISH |
| Study objectives | Current hypothesis as of 02/02/2016: A social intervention will produce better outcomes in depression and wellbeing than treatment as usual. Previous hypothesis: That the SWISH intervention produces better outcomes than treatment as usual. |
| Ethics approval(s) | South West Wales Ethics Committee (Wales REC 6), 28/05/2014, ref: 14/WA/0074 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Deliberate self-harm and/or suicidal ideation |
| Intervention | Current interventions as of 02/02/2016: Participants are randomised to either receive the intervention or treatment as usual. The intervention is a 4-6 week contact programme comprised of a mix of face to face and telephone contact. Patients are encouraged to discuss the circumstances that led to their presentation with the SWISH practitioner and identify social factors which can be addressed. The SWISH practitioner will help the patient engage with community services. SWISH is more than signposting, it assertively links individuals with existing support services. Additionally it keeps patients engaged with services as they wait for appointments which they may have been referred to as part of their treatment as usual. Treatment as usual ranges from discharge with no further follow up; discharge to general practitioner; signposting to community services Previous interventions: Participants are allocated randomly to the SWISH intervention or treatment as usual. A research worker will assess 60 eligible candidates at baseline, six weeks and three months. The intervention was developed in Australia, and consists of an individualised talking therapy and practical help. It has now been manualised and this will form the basis of our intervention. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure | Current primary outcome measures as of 02/02/2016: Symptoms of depression measured using Beck Depression Inventory. Measured at baseline, four weeks and three months. Previous primary outcome measures: Symptoms of depression measured using Beck Depression Inventory. Measured at baseline, six weeks and three months. |
| Secondary outcome measures | Current secondary outcome measures as of 02/02/2016: 1. Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA) 2. Service contacts that the person has had in a defined period measured using Client Service Receipt Inventory (CSRI) Measured at baseline, four weeks and three months. Previous secondary outcome measures: 1. Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA) 2. Service contacts that the person has had in a defined period measured using Client Service Receipt Inventory (CSRI) Measured at baseline, six weeks and three months. |
| Overall study start date | 01/01/2014 |
| Completion date | 31/05/2016 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | 120 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Current inclusion criteria as of 02/02/2016: Person aged 18 or over who presents to Mental Health Services (either directly at hospital or indirectly through referral from General Practitioner to Local Primary Mental Health Support Services) with self-harm and/or suicidal ideation Previous inclusion criteria: 1. Admitted with first episode of self-harm 2. No contact with psychiatric services in the last two years |
| Key exclusion criteria | Current exclusion criteria as of 02/02/2016: Anyone who, following a psychosocial assessment by a Mental Health Practitioner, is: 1. Unable to give informed consent 2. So unwell that they have to be admitted to a psychiatric bed 3. Requires secondary mental health services 4. Assessed as high risk for violence 5. Known or assessed to have a severe mental illness and require other services 6. Is under a current and active care treatment plan with Adult Mental Health Services 7. Is unable to communicate in English Previous exclusion criteria: 1. Too unwell to participate according to direct care staff 2. Referred for psychiatric assessment or treatment 3. Unable to communicate in English or Welsh |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/01/2015 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/12/2015 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- Wales
Study participating centres
SA31 2AF
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
University/education
Department of Research and Innovation
Digital Technium
Swansea
SA2 8PP
Wales
United Kingdom
| contact@dri.swansea.ac.uk | |
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/053fq8t95 |
Funders
Funder type
Research organisation
Government organisation / National government
- Alternative name(s)
- Sefydliad Cenedlaethol ar Gyfer Ymchwil Gofal Cymdeithasol ac Lechyd, NISCHR
- Location
- United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 01/06/2016 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| Publication and dissemination plan | The study report will be provided to funders for publication in June 2016 Further publications planned: 1. Study protocol to submit for publication February 2016 2. A systematic review on self-harm interventions to submit for publication March 2016 3. Social outcomes and self-harm paper to submit TBC 4. Findings papers to submit TBC Dissemination plan: 1. Present at service user forums 2. Present at academic conferences 3. Produce information on findings to send to all participants 4. Present at Health Board strategic and service planning meetings |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol article | protocol | 14/09/2016 | Yes | No | |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No |
Editorial Notes
18/12/2020: Internal review.
16/09/2016: Publication reference added.
02/02/2016: the following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The overall trial end date was changed from 30/09/2015 to 31/05/2016.
2. The target number of participants was changed from 60 to 120.
