Groundbreaking research aims to improve early psychosis treatment
NHFT is supporting mental health service users in Northamptonshire to take part in a national research project aimed at improving treatment and care for early psychosis.
Psychosis is a mental health condition where people lose some contact with reality. This may involve seeing or hearing things that other people cannot see or hear, and believing things that are not actually true. It may also involve confused thinking or speaking.
The Early Intervention Mission is a UK-wide study of people who have either had a first episode of psychosis or are considered at risk of early psychosis.
By monitoring and working with them over an extended period of time, the project aims to support a better understanding of the condition to improve early identification, prevention, treatment and personalised care for those affected.
NHFT service users aged 16 to 65 and receiving treatment for first-episode psychosis or supported by the At-Risk Mental State (ARMS) team are being offered the chance to sign up for the study, which has been developed with help from people who have lived experience of psychosis.
Participants are first asked to attend an initial research visit where they will give a blood or saliva sample and then answer a series of questions and complete a series of thinking tasks.
After this they will be contacted every six months for up to three years and asked to complete digital questionnaires, covering topics such as mood, symptoms, medication use and quality of life.
Eligible service users are also being recruited to the study as 'controls' to provide baseline data for comparison with the early psychosis participants.
Leading the project for NHFT are Research Delivery Lead Elizabeth Sabin and Senior Clinical Research Nurse Pamela Chiriseri, who is supported by Advanced Clinical Practitioner Parama Ellapan to identify patients who would qualify for the study and support those who want to sign up.
More than 30 patients have been recruited so far, with NHFT being the top recruiter in the country during July.
Elizabeth says: "We're really pleased to be able to take part in this research project, alongside other NHS trusts up and down the UK. Its aim is to give clinicians a better understanding of how early psychosis progresses in those affected, as well as the different levels of risk that people experience.
"It is hoped this can help to develop more advanced prevention, treatment and support for early psychosis.
Pamela adds: "It is encouraging to see a culture change where services are embracing research and embedding it into everyday practice."