Evaluation of a Brief Intervention to Improve Engagement in Early Intervention Services for Psychosis

Launched by NOVA SCOTIA HEALTH AUTHORITY · May 7, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to help young adults with psychotic disorders become more engaged in their treatment. Researchers have found that many young people who have had negative experiences with healthcare before starting early intervention services for psychosis (EIS) may struggle to engage fully in their care. The trial will adapt a brief support program called "Just Do You," which focuses on overcoming these barriers, and will evaluate its effectiveness with participants in Nova Scotia. The goal is to see if this program can improve how well young adults stick with their treatment and their overall recovery.

To be eligible for this study, participants need to be between 18 and 35 years old and in the first 3 to 12 months of treatment for a psychotic disorder, like schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Those who join the study can expect to attend two sessions led by a clinician and a peer support worker, where they will discuss their experiences and learn skills to help them engage more in their care. This trial is important because it aims to improve support for those who have faced challenges with healthcare in the past, ultimately helping them on their path to recovery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Within first 3-12 months of treatment in early intervention services.
• • Diagnosis of a psychotic disorder using the DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder, etc.)
• • Diagnosis within past 5 years.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Primary diagnosis that is not a psychotic disorder.
• • Outside of age limits.
• • Intellectual Disability (IQ \< 70)