Current research studies
Find out more about our current research studies and how you can get involved.
Dementia research studies
Our Dementia Research Unit focuses on drug development for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and memory problems, as well as trials and observational studies looking at therapeutic options.
We value the opportunity to be involved in worldwide research studies that are funded by pharmaceutical companies. These studies are usually clinical trials that have the potential to make major breakthroughs in the treatment of long-term mental illness, such as dementia.
We're currently conducting a number of industry-sponsored trials and has a growing reputation for setting up, carrying out and completing trials to the highest standard. We work with a range of leading pharmaceutical companies to develop breakthrough drugs that will ultimately improve services and care.
Alongside working with industry and academic partners, we believe that the people who use NHS services and those who work in the NHS, should have the opportunity to take part in, and benefit from, research.
If you would like to learn more about the type of research we do, and receive study updates, you might like to join our Research Network - our community of patients, staff and anyone interested in mental health research.
The National Institute of Health Research manages Join Dementia Research which is a register to help you connect with dementia research locally and nationally.
The Dementia Research Unit
The Dementia Research Unit offers patients the opportunity to participate in clinical trials, as well as other therapeutic options. Most studies examine the effect and impact of new medications on the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, or look at the way in which current medications can be repurposed to help people with the disease. Most dementia clinical trials explore ways to reduce the damage that harmful proteins cause in the brain as the disease progresses with a view to slowing down and reducing the impact that dementia has on patient’s lives.
How do clinical trials work?
Patients are usually randomised into one of two groups and may receive a new treatment or a placebo. As part of the data collection process, we use questionnaires to ask patients about the impact that the disease has on everyday life, assess their memory and cognition, and also gather information from their carer.
Although lots of safety data has already been gathered about new medications before they are used with research participants, most of our clinical studies are designed to include people in the early stages of their illness with quite mild symptoms, who are generally in good physical health. This is both to ensure patient’s safety and means that data collected is as unbiased as possible. Although some study visits can be conducted at home, most of our research requires patients to come to the clinic in Crowborough or Brighton on several occasions. Travel costs are reimbursed or we can book a taxi if this is more convenient.
Dementia affects 850,000 people in the UK and it's hoped that research will help us find a cure.
What types of research takes place at the Dementia Research Unit?
Examples of the type of research that you may be able to volunteer for include:
- Medication studies
- Completing questionnaires and interviews
- Imaging studies (x-rays and scans)
- Lifestyle, diet and exercise studies
- Observation studies
- Giving your opinion about treatments received
Volunteering for a research study
If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering for a study, our team will discuss this with you, your carer or relatives and anyone else you wish to involve. We will inform you of possible benefits and potential risks, so you can decide if you wish to take part. You will be told about the time commitment, which varies from study to study, as well as the possibility of receiving a placebo or being in the control group in a study. If you choose to take part, your routine clinical care will not be affected.
Why should I take part?
Some patients who volunteer say they are doing so to help improve treatments for future generations, as well as potentially experiencing the benefits of new medications themselves. In addition, all of our study participants receive close physical health monitoring throughout the trials they take part in, which usually includes regular blood tests, ECGs and sometimes tests such as MRI or PET scans. Our friendly team of research nurses and clinical research coordinators will do everything they can to make your experience, and that of the person accompanying you, as pleasant as possible. We have a lovely space at our unit, within Crowborough Hospital, and look forward to welcoming you.
Contact
If you know someone who may be interested in taking part in a clinical trial, or would like to find out more about dementia research please contact us. You will be under no obligation to take part:
Dementia Research Unit, Grove House, South View Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 1HB
Call: 01892 603107 (please leave an answerphone message and we will call you back)
What is the study about?
The trial will look at the use of a drug called Memantine for treatment of people with Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia (PDD) symptoms. The aim of the trial is to find out if Memantine treatment can help improve overall health and functioning for people with DLB or PDD.
Who is running the study?
The trial is sponsored by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and funded by the Health Technology Assessment | NIHR
Why is the study being run?
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) are related complex illnesses with a wide range of distressing symptoms. People with DLB/PDD have worse quality of life, more complex symptoms, higher care costs, and are more sensitive to medications than people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (AChEI) are commonly used medicines that can help people with DLB/PDD by improving day to day functioning and thinking abilities. Another drug which might help is Memantine, used to treat moderate to severe confusion in AD. It may help to improve memory, awareness and the ability to perform daily functions; however, it is not clear if adding Memantine to AChEI is beneficial for people with DLB/PDD.
The aim of this trial is to find out if adding Memantine to AChEI improves overall health and functioning for people with DLB or PDD.
What will taking part involve?
If you agree to take part you will join one of two trial treatment groups for 12 months:
- a placebo (‘dummy’ drug) group OR
- a medication (Memantine) group
You will have planned visits and phone calls with the local trial team, who will ask you about your symptoms, how you feel and your study treatment.
A family member or person who knows you well will also be asked to answer questions about your symptoms and about how they are feeling.
Who can take part?
Potential participants should be currently taking cholinesterase inhibitors
Contact details
- For more information please email spft.
dementiaresearchunit or call 01892 603107 (please leave a message).@nhs.net - Further information can be found on the study website: https://research.ncl.ac.uk/cobalttrial/
COGNIKET-MCI is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center, multi-country, pivotal trial to study the effects of a nutritional intervention of ketogenic medium-chain triglycerides (kMCT) and B-vitamins on cognitive functioning in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment.
What is the study about?
Société des Produits Nestlé has developed a nutritional formulation, called BrainXpert intended for dietary management of people with mild cognitive impairment. The purpose of the COGNIKET-MCI studies is to learn about the efficacy of BrainXpert and understand its long-term tolerability, when compared with placebo, when taken twice daily over 12 months in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
Who is running the study?
The study sponsor is Société des Produits Nestlé and it is being run by Professor Tabet and the team at the Dementia Research Unit.
Why should you take part?
• Participants will be helping others by contributing to medical research.
• Participants' condition will be checked as long as their participation in the trial lasts.
• The nutritional product may help to improve their condition.
What will taking part involve?
The study will be explained fully to you and your partner, it includes:
• 2 intervention periods: a blinded intervention period (the first 52 weeks) and an open-label intervention period (the final 26 weeks).
• Taking BrainXpert/Placebo twice daily over 18 months
This trial has a screening visit and 4 study visits at the centre, which involves
• Physical examination
• Memory tests and questionnaires on how well you manage daily routines
• Blood samples
Who can take part?
You may be able to take part if you:
• are at least 60 years of age
• Have a diagnosis of Mild cognitive impairment
• Have a study partner who is willing and able to attend trial visits
How can I take part?
If you would like to hear more about the study please leave a message on our voicemail with your name and telephone number giving the reference ‘COGNIKET-MCI study’. We will give you a call back and tell you more about the study and can arrange to send you some written information. Alternatively, you can email or write to us using the details below:
Contact details:
Atsuko Fujisawa or Alice Russell
Clinical Research Coordinators
Dementia Research Unit,
Grove House,
Crowborough TN6 1HB
Office Tel: 01892 603107 (Please leave a message)
Email: spft.
What is the study about?
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of pre-existing Type 2 Diabetes and dementia on the way people present to the memory clinic, their diagnosis, outlook, mental health, and carer support.
This is a feasibility study. In this study, we aim to determine the feasibility of assessing and following up two groups of patients with dementia for one year.
One group will have both dementia and Type 2 Diabetes, and the other group will have dementia without Type 2 Diabetes. This will help us understand the impact of Type 2 Diabetes on dementia, in comparison to those without Type 2 Diabetes.
Who is running the study?
This study is sponsored by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
The researcher is Dr Ain Nizam who is a part-time Psychiatry doctor, and part-time PhD student at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. This research study is part of her PhD studies, and she is supervised by a supervisory team led by Professor Naji Tabet, Professor of Dementia at the Centre for Dementia Studies, Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
Why is the study being run?
This study will help us understand the impact of Type 2 Diabetes on dementia, in comparison to those without Type 2 Diabetes.
Why should you take part?
Your participation will contribute to the future benefit of individuals with dementia and their caregivers, as the results of this study will be used to assess the feasibility of conducting larger studies in this topic.
What will taking part involve?
We will invite you and your carer to an interview at the start of the study and another interview the end of the study. During the interviews, you and your carer will be asked to complete some questionnaires.
If you have Type 2 Diabetes, you will be asked to keep a record of any significant diabetes-related incidents requiring medical attention (e.g. low blood sugar levels), hospital admissions related to diabetes, and changes in diabetes medications during the 1-year study period. You and your study partner will be given a sheet to record these events.
There is a further interview where up to 12 participants with both dementia and Type 2 diabetes, alongside their carer, will be invited to talk about their hopes, concerns, expectations for the future, and their views about the care they have been receiving.
Who can take part?
If you can say yes to all these statements, you are welcome to take part:
- You have attended one of the memory clinics at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust;
- You have a diagnosis of dementia and possibly a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes; and
- You have a carer who is willing to take part as a study partner throughout the study and attend interviews together with you. Please refer to the separate Carer (Study Partner) Participant Information Sheet which will be provided.
How can I take part?
If you have any questions about this study, wish to discuss taking part or have any concerns, you can contact the researcher organising the study.
Contact details:
Dr Ain Nizam
T: 01892 603107
E: spft.
Dementia Research Unit,
Grove House,
Southview Road, Crowborough,
East Sussex TN6 1HB
What is the study about?
This study will adapt the Coping Strategy Enhancement (CSE) intervention, which is a non-pharmacological intervention, used to reduce the distress that is associated with hallucinations. This intervention will be adapted for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their family carers.
Who is running the study?
This first and last phase (Co-adapt and co-evaluate) will be conducted in Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT). Whereas the trial will be conducted across two sites: SPFT and Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW). The study will be conducted in a blend of face- to- face meetings or virtually. Amaani Al-Azzawi is working on this study as part of her PhD research.
What is the possible impact?
There are currently no non-pharmacological interventions that exist to support PLWD and their family carers to manage hallucinatory experiences, despite this being a common experience. The Coping Strategy Enhancement (CSE) intervention has been utilized with a range of patient groups across the lifespan and diagnoses and been found to be beneficial.
What will taking part involve?
Take part in 2-3 focus group meetings to co-adapt the CSE, and or participants will receive 4, 1 hour sessions of therapy with a clinical psychologist. The lead researcher will conduct a final assessment meeting and deliver exit interviews.
Who can take part?
- Focus group participants (Phases 1+4): Co-adapt and co-evaluate: PLWD, family carers of PLWD and clinicians that work with PLWD.
- Trial Participants (Phases 2+3): To receive the adapted intervention: PLWD and their family carers.
Contact details and further info
Dementia Research Unit, Grove House, Crowborough TN6 1HB
Tel: 01892 603107 (please leave a message)
Email: spft.
Amaani Al-Azzawi (Doctoral Researcher at Brighton and Sussex Medical School) presented a poster at the Alzheimer Europe Conference in Geneva, Switzerland in October 2024. This conference theme was “New Horizons-Innovating for Dementia”. The poster is based on the protocol of her empirical PhD research study: The OASIS study- A co-adaptation and co-evaluation of the Coping Strategy Enhancement intervention, in the context of hallucinations in dementia.
The poster was submitted within the sub-theme of ‘inclusion and intersectionality in dementia research’. This poster highlights the involvement of people with lived experience (PLWD, carers and clinicians) in the research study, from an initial scoping review and co-adaptation of the bespoke intervention materials to continual consultation with a Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP). Amaani welcomed the chance to share the work that Sussex Partnership and the Sussex Voices Clinic are supporting, with international peers. See the poster here.
What is the study about?
OASIS-CARE is a survey which aims to understand the knowledge, confidence and approaches that care home staff have towards supporting people living with dementia who experience hallucinations, in care home settings.
Who is running the study?
- The study is sponsored by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
- The Principal Investigator is Professor Mark Hayward.
- The study opened in October 2025 and will be open until March 2026.
What is the possible impact?
By identifying gaps in knowledge, confidence, and approaches towards hallucinations, the survey can inform targeted training programs for non-pharmacological support for hallucinations in care homes.
Why should you take part?
- £5 voucher for completing all compulsory questions on the survey.
- Contributing to research for people living in care homes.
- Research certificate upon request.
What will taking part involve?
Completing a 10-15 minute survey online.
Who can take part?
Any person who has a working role in a care home in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Contact details
Researcher contact for more details: a.
Parent study: Feasibility trial of an non-pharmacological intervention for hallucinations in dementia- the OASIS Trial- https://
What is the study about?
Up until now this type of MRI scanning and analysis has been limited to research projects. This study aims to find out whether these new ways of looking at MRI brain scans are useful to help with diagnosis and prognosis of memory and thinking problems. We will therefore be working with research groups and with commercial companies to design tests on MRI scans that can be used in the memory clinic.
Read this BBC news report to find out more about the study.
Who is running the study?
Cambridge University Hospital and the University of Cambridge
Why is the study being run?
New types of brain scan analysis using computer algorithms may be better than standard MRI reporting to measure changes to the brain in disease.
Why should you take part?
If there is no reason that you cannot have an MRI scan, you will be invited for a scan. If the study is successful in its stated aims, then it will help us to use these advanced MRI technologies to improve the diagnosis of brain disorders.
What will taking part involve? This would be very similar to an MRI scan you would have on the NHS. Usually an NHS MRI scan lasts 10-15 minutes, the study the scan is slightly longer, lasting around 30 minutes.
Who can take part?
All patients in whom the treating clinician considers neuroimaging to be part of the usual diagnostic pathway will be included in the study.
How can I take part?
Speak with your clinician about the study during your initial memory assessment appointment.
Contact details
Tel: 01892 603107
What is the study about?
Now open in Sussex, READ-OUT is a study is looking to better understand which blood biomarkers perform best in diagnosing Alzheimer’s and non-Alzheimer's dementias. It is undertaking broad, nationwide blood sampling at 29 sites, including SPFT. This will assist the NHS by researching how biomarker testing can be implemented both sustainably and at scale as well as considering the cost-saving benefits of large volume biomarker testing.
It is part of the multi-million-pound Blood Biomarker Challenge – a 5-year programme which aims to revolutionise dementia diagnosis. It is supported by Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, Gates Ventures, and players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. Its goal is to bring blood tests for dementia diagnosis into the NHS by 2029.
The 5 year Programme
The READ-OUT team (REAl World Dementia OUTcomes) for the first 3 years will run a fact-finding study that will take blood tests in around at least 28 Dementias Platform UK sites across the UK, involving 3000 people from diverse populations.
In the final 2 years, the team will run a clinical trial with 880 people to explore how having a blood test for dementia affects diagnosis and quality of life, patients and carers, impact on care and how the results should be communicated to patients.
For clinicians and the NHS, it will them to understand the best type of biomarker assessment having studied approaches with volunteers across the UK. This will include use of postal bloods tests and how assay testing can be rolled out across the UK.
Who is funding the study?
READ-OUT was awarded £4.5 million by the Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research and Gates Ventures including £5m raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The project aims to revolutionise dementia diagnosis.
Who can take part?
We're looking for people aged over 45 with memory issues or a dementia diagnosis.
How can I take part?
Please click this link for more information
Contact our Dementia Research Unit if you would like to talk to someone about taking part in Sussex:
What is the study about?
The Time for Dementia Project is an educational programme looking to improve the understanding, attitude and knowledge of health care professionals about dementia. See our film about Time for Dementia.
Who is running the study?
Time for Dementia is led by the Brighton and Sussex Medical School as part of multi stakeholder collaboration between teaching colleagues, undergraduate healthcare students, families living with dementia, researchers, Alzheimer’s Society and other universities.
Since its inception in 2015, the programme has been delivered at seven universities and across nine different professional courses.
Why is the study being run?
The project aims to improve healthcare student knowledge, attitudes and empathy towards people with dementia and their caregivers. Additionally, the project aims to provide students with a more balanced view of what it is like to live with dementia both from the perspective of the person with dementia and the caregiver, as well as increased insight into living with other physical health problems. They will take this knowledge with them in their healthcare careers. Students taking part in the programme include: medical, nursing, paramedic, radiography, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy students.
Why should you take part?
The benefits to students and families are being comprehensively evaluated. Responses from both students and families have been positive. Families felt motivated to take part in the programme to raise awareness and increase knowledge about what it's really like to live with and care for someone with dementia. Many families felt taking part was of value to them to see the impact their involvement has on student learning. They describe the visits as fun, friendly, sociable and enjoyable.
A key long-term goal is to influence national dementia education policy and to promote the Time for Dementia programme as a new way of building understanding in dementia and other health conditions for healthcare professionals in their undergraduate training.
A comprehensive dissemination manual will be developed to advise other higher education institutions on how to deliver a similar programme to ensure optimum cost-effectiveness. The model can also be rolled out to other conditions, for example Time for Autism is currently in development and will be implemented at BSMS.
What will taking part involve?
The project involves having a pair of trainee healthcare professionals visit a family who has experience of dementia. The students visit for a two-year period through their training three times a year for 1-2 hours at a time. The students speak to both a person with a diagnosis of dementia and also a family carer. Each visit is a relaxed conversation within the person’s home where the students hear about what it is like to live with a diagnosis of dementia and what it is like to support a loved one with dementia. If you and your carer are happy to take part in the Time for Dementia programme, you may be invited to take part in the research study.
Who can take part?
People with dementia and their carers
How can I take part?
Please contact the Time for Dementia team - details below.
Contact details
If you are a family living with dementia and are interested in taking part in the programme, please contact the Time for Dementia Team:
Call: 07484 089562
Email: timefordementia
Follow us on twitter: @Time4Dementia
Find out more
Read more about the programme.
Read more on the Alzheimers UK website
This film was made in 2016, but explains the benefits of the programme
The TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 5 study will test if an investigational medicine is safe and effective in people with symptoms of early Alzheimer’s disease. The study will take up to 1 year 10 months. Study participants will get study medicine by infusion. For every two study participants, one will get investigational medicine and one will get placebo.
Who is running the study?
The study sponsor is Eli Lilly and Company Limited
What is the possible impact?
Researchers think the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease could be caused by a build-up of amyloid proteins in the brain. These amyloid proteins can stick together and form tiny clumps known as amyloid plaques. Amyloid plaques may lead to problems with memory and thinking. The investigational medicine being tested in the TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 5 study may remove amyloid plaques and could slow memory loss.
Why should you take part?
Taking part in this study means you are actively involved in medical research. All study participants will help improve our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and may help make new medicines a reality.
If you decide to take part, you will get at no cost to you:
- All study-related medicines, care, and check-ins.
- Access to specialized doctors and research teams.
What will taking part involve?
Study participants will have about 22 planned visits.
Study participants will get study medicine by infusion. You will also need to complete questionnaires, additional electrocardiograms (ECGs), MRI scans, PET scans, (which you would not have to otherwise). MRI/PET scans may take place at a different location to where the study visits normally take place, your study doctor will let you know.
Who can take part?
You may be able to join this study if you:
- Are aged 60 to 85 years old.
- Have memory loss that has gotten worse over time.
- Have a trusted study partner.
A study partner is a person who knows you well and would notice any changes in your memory, mood, and behaviour. This could be your spouse, partner, friend, family member, or someone whose job it is to help you. Your study partner would also consent to the research study.
How can I take part?
Please contact the Dementia Research Unit:
E: spft.
T: 01892 603107 (please do leave a message with contact details if no reply and we will get back to you).
Mental health research studies
Developing a complex intervention to improve the process of disclosing adverse childhood experiences (ACE) for service users and staff. An experience-based co-design study.
What is the study about?
The aim of this project is to find new ways of working to support front-line mental health practitioners to discuss adverse childhood experiences with service users in a way that promotes healing and prevents further harm.
Who is running the study?
Funded by the Wellcome Trust and sponsored by King's College London & Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT), the study is run by Jessica Sears as part of her PhD programme in Mental Health Research for Health Professionals.
What is the possible impact?
- For service users: Improved experience of disclosing ACEs; access to trauma treatment options; improved therapeutic relationship; improved mental health outcomes.
- For staff: Improved confidence and competence to sensitively explore ACEs; improved compassion; greater job satisfaction.
What are the benefits of taking part?
Teams that decide to be involved will have a unique opportunity to reflect on their experiences of working with trauma survivors in community mental health settings. Members of the team and service users will also have the opportunity to be collaborators in the co-design process to develop a novel intervention.
What will taking part involve?
If you would like to take part you will be invited to:
- An individual interview to explore your experiences of care under a CMHT
- A series of workshops to design service improvements
You can decide to take part in the interview and not attend the workshops.
Who can take part?
- We are looking for adults aged 18 and over, who identify as having experienced ‘adverse childhood experiences’ and have sought help for their mental health from SPFT community mental health services.
- We are also inviting mental health practitioners (particularly staff from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic groups) from SPFT community mental health teams who have experience working with service users with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
How can I take part?
If you would like to know more about the project you can email Jessica Sears: Jessica.
In the UK about 140,000 15–19-year-olds experience depression. An estimated 35,000 young people access NHS treatment for depression, of which:
• about 14,000 do not respond.
• a further 8,000 are likely to experience depression again after initial successful treatment.
Teenagers who still have symptoms after treatment for low mood, depression or anxiety, or who relapse quickly, need more treatment options.
What is the study about?
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed Mindfulness for Adolescents and Carers (MAC) as a version of MBCT adapted to be more engaging for teenagers. MAC aims to help teenagers recover from depression and the parallel parent/carer group aims to support parents and carers to cope better.
We want to find out, Is Mindfulness for Adolescents and Carers (MAC) plus treatment as usual (TAU) more effective and cost-effective compared to TAU alone; how does it work and for whom does it work best?
Who is running the study?
ATTEND is a Randomised Controlled Trial sponsored by Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and University of Cambridge. The Principal Investigator is Professor Tamsin Ford, with Prof Clara Strauss leading for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The study is sponsored by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR)
Timeline
ATTEND will be recruiting participants from June 2024 to January 2026.
What is the possible impact?
New treatment that could be implemented in NHS teams and schools across UK to support young people with depression/low mood. Potentially this treatment could be offered nationwide as a second-line intervention to teenagers who continue to struggle with symptoms of depression after receiving therapy. We hope this will not only help the young people offered this treatment but also reduce waitlists in CAMHS to improve access to mental health support.
Why should you take part?
You will be helping support in the development of a new treatment for depression and all participants will be randomised into either our treatment arm (offered an 8-week MAC group) or our control group (continue with current treatment). Both groups will be offered £60 incentive for involvement of the study (spread across one year).
What will taking part involve?
After being randomised to either 8-week MAC therapy group or control group, we ask participants to complete a short questionnaire every two weeks to track mood over one year so that we can compare how effective MAC is compared to current treatments offered in schools and the NHS.
Who can take part?
Young people between ages 15-18, struggling with low mood/depression, who have previously completed an evidence-based treatment for depression or anxiety.
How can I take part?
Contact us with your interest or fill in your details on the study website
Take a look at the study website here: www.
See a poster for the study here
See the participant information sheet here
Contact details
T: 07886 589752
E: attend
For Sussex site specific queries, please contact:
What is the study about?
The CONNECT study aims to address the question: Can wearables and smartphones help service users manage their mental health?
To answer this question, The University of Manchester has developed a remote digital data collection system via a smartphone app which they are testing to see if it can predict an individual’s chance of psychosis relapse.
Who is running the study?
The £12.5m study is being led by the University of Manchester, funded by The Wellcome Trust and in collaboration with lived experience advisors from the McPin Foundation to ensure people with lived experience of psychosis are involved throughout the study.
The CONNECT smartphone app will be tested across six higher education institutions and their partnering NHS trusts across the country, including the University of Sussex partnered with the Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust.
Why is the study being run?
People who experience psychosis can encounter changes in their activity levels, sleep pattern and getting out and about just before they become unwell or experience a relapse. For example, someone who is feeling very anxious or low might not feel like socialising much. They might stay at home more than usual, phone their friends less, sleep less and experience other changes.
In CONNECT, we are asking people with a diagnosis of psychosis to use the CONNECT app in conjunction with a wearable device (smartwatch or Fitbit) to see how changes in behaviours and patterns might relate to their mental health getting worse. In the future, by using this system it may be possible to tell in advance when someone’s mental health might be getting better or worse by looking at these changes and offering extra support at the time it is needed.
Why should you take part?
The insight gained could be transformative to how we manage psychosis and enable timely intervention to prevent relapses in mental health. By participating in CONNECT, you will be contributing to the development of new knowledge which could help people who experience psychosis in the future.
If you do not have your own smartphone and/or wearable device, we are able to provide these for you, and at the end of taking part in the 12-month study, you will be able to keep the smartphone and wearable device (if you asked for one to use during the study). We will also pay for your data network costs for the time you are using the CONNECT app (£10/month), and reimbursement for your time spent attending 3-monthly research assessments over the 12 months will be £20 per assessment. You will also be reimbursed for any reasonable travel to and from research appointments.
What will taking part involve?
Participants in the study will be asked to use a smartphone and a wearable device (Fitbit or smartwatch) and download the CONNECT app. Over a 12-month period, we will ask participants to answer a short set of questions via the CONNECT app a few times a week which asks about their thoughts, feelings and mood.
We will also collect information automatically (without participants needing to do anything) using sensors which are built into all modern smartphones and the wearable device. This information will be about things like a person’s general movements, sleep and activity levels. Using this information, we will be able to work out if changes in sleep or activity levels, for example, might be a sign of someone becoming unwell.
Finally, we will ask participants to meet with a researcher (by phone, online, or in person) every three months over the 12 months to attend an interview to discuss progress.
Who can take part?
People over 16 years old with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder who have experienced at least one acute episode of psychosis in the last two years and are under the care of NHS mental health services.
More information
See a short film about the study here
You can find out more about the study on the CONNECT Digital Study website
Publications and findings
- Digital remote monitoring (DRM) captures service users' health-related data remotely using devices such as smartphones and wearables. Data can be analysed using advanced statistical methods (eg, machine learning) and shared with clinicians to aid assessment of people with psychosis' mental health, enabling timely intervention.
- Fifty-nine mental health professionals were interviewed about their views on DRM in psychosis care. They saw the value of using DRM to detect early signs of relapse and to encourage service user self-reflection on symptoms. However, the accuracy of data collected, the impact of remote monitoring on therapeutic relationships, data privacy, and workload, responsibility and resource implications were key concerns. Policies and guidelines outlining clinicians' roles in relation to DRM and comprehensive training on its use are essential to support its implementation in practice.
- Further evaluation regarding the impact of digital remote monitoring on service user outcomes, therapeutic relationships, clinical workflows, and service costs is needed.
Contact
Please ask your care co-ordinator to get in touch if you are interested in participating in the study.
Email: spft.
What is the study about?
The study will develop a performance-based screening tool that measures personal qualities (e.g. empathy, warmth etc.) of psychological practitioners.
Sixty practitioners and undergraduate psychology students will be invited to take part in a role-play scenario with an actor building on vignettes of psychosis clients. Participants will be provided with specific instructions to enable them to role-play either low, medium or high skills in a particular therapeutic domain. The role-plays are not designed to evaluate the actual skills of the participants but rather to provide a full range of role-played skills in preparation for the next phase. The responses in this role-play will be video-recorded and will be used in the next phase of the study. We hope to find out whether this screening tool (and associated role-play scenarios) can be used to identify skills in psychological practitioners and whether the identified qualities promote trust in clinicians.
This would ensure that people working as psychological practitioners have the necessary personal qualities and it can help identify training needs.
Who is running the study?
This study is being conducted by Miriam Hiersch (PhD student, principal investigator) and Prof Kathryn Greenwood from the School of Psychology, University of Sussex. The study sponsor is the University of Sussex, and it’s funded through the South east Network for Social Sciences (SeNSS). The study has received approval from the Sciences & Technology Cross-Schools Research Ethics Committee (SCITEC) at the University of Sussex and the Health Research Authority (IRAS number: 341260). This phase of the study (phase 1) will only run in Sussex Partnership Trust, as participants need to be able to travel to Brighton and Hove to participate.
What is the possible impact?
The study is being done because the existing measures for assessing personal qualities of therapists (e.g. empathy, warmth etc,) are not specific to psychological practitioners or to working with psychosis clients. Psychological practitioners (such as assistant psychologists, mental health and wellbeing practitioners etc.) can deliver short interventions to people with psychosis. It is important that these practitioners have the necessary personal qualities to promote trust in patients and colleagues, to facilitate a good therapeutic relationship and to provide effective treatment. Therefore, the screening tool that will be developed through this study will help identify these personal qualities and could then be used during the hiring or training process.
What will taking part involve?
Taking part would involve you agreeing to meet the researcher to take part in a role-play scenario. An actor will portray a psychosis client. You will be given some information about this “client” and be given ten minutes to read through all the instructions before each scenario. This will allow you to role-play a therapist with low, medium or high skills. You will then be asked to talk to the “client” for around five minutes. You will be taking the role of a psychological practitioner who is seeing this “client” for the first time. You want to find out what the client’s main issues are and set some goals for the treatment. You will be provided with a description of the client and some prompts for what you should talk about and how you should act. You will meet with three separate “clients” for around five minutes each. The procedure is similar, but the client presentation will be slightly different every time. These interactions will be video-recorded, so that these videos can be used in the second phase of
What are the benefits of taking part?
- You may contribute some valuable input into personal qualities needed to deliver psychological treatment
- You might learn more about your own personal qualities
- You can also enter a £25 prize draw at the end
- If you are a student, you can get 4 SONA credits for your participation.
Who can take part?
- You can take part in this study if you are either an undergraduate with no experience delivering interventions or a psychological practitioner (e.g. Assistant Psychologist, Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner etc.) with some experience delivering interventions to people with psychosis (either less than one year or more than one year)
- You need to be at least 18 years old to participate and have no current (self-reported) mental health issues that might affect your participation
- Recruitment for this phase will be open until the end of June 2025.
How can I take part?
- Please email the principal investigator (Miriam Hiersch) to take part: mkh29
@sussex.ac.uk - You will then be sent potential dates and you can pick a date/time that suits you.
- The study will take place at the Sussex Education Centre in Hove or at the University of Sussex.
What is this project about?
People living with eating disorders can have problems that affect their wellbeing and the wellbeing of the people that care for them.
The aim of the project is to understand more about eating disorder symptoms, treatment and outcomes. It is hoped that this will lead to better treatments which work well for lots of different groups of people.
The purpose of the EDCRN project is to collect and record information about eating disorder symptoms, treatment, outcomes, demographics, risk factors and physical health markers in participating eating disorder services across the UK. This information will be collected through questionnaires, blood test results and other physical test results. The information will be recorded in a secure online platform.
Who is running the study?
King's College London (lead sponsor) and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (co sponsor) are the sponsors of the study.
Chief Investigator is Prof Gerome Breen
The Principal for Sussex Partnership is Amy Brown
The EDCRN dataset
The EDCRN dataset has been co-produced by people with lived experience, caregivers, clinicians and researchers. It comprises patient and carer-reported questionnaire data, and clinician-reported information on eating disorder presentation, diagnosis and biomarkers (where available).
All patients receiving treatment at services who take part in the EDCRN will be invited to take part. Data will be recorded via the EDCRN platform. Services will have instantaneous access to the information provided by patients and carers, and clinicians will be able to use the platform to review patient progress. To view the dataset in full, click here.
What is the possible impact?
The project is looking to test the feasibility of establishing a clinical research network for eating disorders, based in UK children and young people and adults NHS eating disorders services. Together with people with lived & living experience (PWLE), carers, clinicians and researchers, the study team will establish a minimum dataset to characterise presentation, treatment, outcome and demographic information. This will allow easier data collection and sharing, reducing burden on services. The EDCRN will enhance research culture across NHS ED services, increasing job satisfaction and staff retention, is designed to enable world class research and further therapeutic development, and to enable research across all domains relevant to eating disorders.
The project will help us to understand who is being seen in eating disorder services. We will also be able to learn which treatments patients are getting, and whether these treatments work. By asking services to collect the same information, we will be able to do more research into the factors influencing eating disorder development. We hope that this in turn will lead to better, more personalised treatments.
What will taking part involve?
You will be asked to fill in questionnaires on an online platform. You can access the platform through the website or download the app. The results of blood tests and other physical tests you have as part of your eating disorder treatment will also be available to view on the platform. All eating disorder services participating in the EDCRN will be asking their patients to complete the same questionnaires and recording the same test results. Your treatment team will have access to the information that you provide so that they can review your progress as part of the treatment you are receiving with them
Researchers from the project will ask you for permission to access your survey information and other general information from your GP or hospital health records such as your medicines, your other health conditions, blood tests or other tests you have as part of your treatment. The researchers will only use information that they need for the research study.
Everyone involved in this study will keep your data safe and secure. We will also follow all privacy rules. At the end of the study researchers will save some of the data in case they need to check it and for future research. The researchers will make sure no-one can work out who you are from the reports they write.
Why should you take part?
The EDCRN will help us to understand who is being seen in eating disorder services. During the initial phase of EDCRN, when participants are receiving treatment, we will also be able to learn which treatments patients are getting, and whether these treatments work. By asking services to collect the same information, we will be able to do more research into the factors influencing eating disorder development. We hope that this in turn will lead to better, more personalised treatments.
The EDCRN will help us to see how eating disorder symptoms change after someone has finished eating disorder treatment. We are also interested in other experiences of mental and physical health after eating disorder treatment.
We hope that this will lead to better treatments which work well for lots of different groups of people.
How can I take part?
If you or your loved one are receiving treatment at a service participating in the EDCRN, the team will be in touch with you directly inviting you to take part.
The first step will be to create an account on the online EDCRN platform. You can access the platform through the website or download the app. You will need access to a laptop, tablet or smartphone with internet connection to access the EDCRN platform and set your profile up.
Contact details
If you have any questions or require more information about this project, please contact the research team by email: EDCRN
There is more information on the study website: Eating Disorders Clinical Research Network | King's College London
What is the study about?
The Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI) is a project exploring risk factors in individuals who have experienced eating disorders.
Who is running the study?
The project is led by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) BioResource Centre Maudsley (part of the NIHR BioResource), researchers at King’s College London and Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity.
Why is the study being run?
Eating disorders are severe psychiatric illnesses and are associated with one of the highest mortality rates within mental health.
EDGI is a project set up to explore risk factors in individuals who have experienced eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder or any other eating disorder at any time in their lives.
It aims to better understand the genetic and environmental links to eating disorders in order to improve treatments for current and future patients. EDGI is also part of the NIHR BioResource, which is a large panel of participants with and without health conditions, that are interested in taking part in research; with the aim to improve health and medical care.
Why should you take part?
- Taking part will contribute to knowledge about some of the causes of eating disorders. This knowledge may lead to better treatment guidelines and improve future care for patients
- EDGI is an information resource for members, therefore participants will have access to pages dedicated to providing useful information to members
- Once someone is a member, they will access to further optional questionnaires and the opportunity to take part in further research studies.
What will taking part involve?
- Providing access to your medical records
- Completing some questionnaires
- Giving a saliva sample
EDGI is also an online resource providing information, other optional questionnaires and research studies you may be interested in.
Who can take part?
Anyone who:
- Is aged 16+
- Lives in England
- Is currently experiencing or has experienced an eating disorder in the past
How can I take part?
Upon signing up, participants will be asked which NHS Trust they belong to - please enter 'Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust'.
Visit the EDGI UK website to find out more
Contact
Email: spft.
What is the study about?
We are testing a novel therapy against anxiety which focuses on signals from our bodies, such as heartbeats, and teaches people to better feel and understand these signals.
Who is running the study?
This study is organised by researchers at the Clinical Neuroscience Department at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School. The study sponsor is University of Sussex. Funding comes from the Medical Research Council (MRC).
Why is the study being run?
In this clinical trial, we have three goals. First, we want to see if this new therapy could be part of the standard treatments that are offered in NHS mental health services. Secondly, we want to test if patients prefer to receive our therapy by themselves or with guidance from an online therapist. Lastly, we want to make sure that HeartRater:Clinical is as inclusive and easy-to-use as possible.
Why should you take part?
The research is designed to help with symptoms of anxiety and may help with your experience of anxiety.
You will also help us to learn more about the treatment of anxiety for patients in the future
What will taking part involve?
- Eligibility Interview and informed consent
We will ask you some short questions, so we get a better idea of whether the therapy is the right fit for you or not. If the study criteria match you, we will ask you to complete a more detailed eligibility assessment. We will ask you to provide informed consent before you give us more information about your anxiety, your physical health, and your mental health in general.
If you are eligible, you will be randomly assigned to receive the therapy with an online therapist or by yourself. This means you have a 50:50 chance of being in either group. We will then ask you again to sign a consent form where you declare that you understand what your participation in the trial involves and consent to taking part in the trial. - Baseline Assessment
We will send you the necessary HeartRater: Clinical equipment in the post to your home. This will include detailed instructions on how to use everything, a tablet computer, and a sensor to measure your heart beats. This sensor is a research-type electrocardiogram (ECG), with three leads that you can attach yourself to your upper and lower body. For the baseline assessment, you will use the software on the tablet that guides you through the different steps. You will be asked to complete two tasks to test how well you can detect your heartbeat in your body, and a range of questionnaires about your anxiety, emotions, and other experiences. - Therapy sessions 1 - 4
In each therapy session, you will use the HeartRater:Clinical equipment. You will be asked to try and detect your heartbeat and receive feedback on how you are doing. This can be difficult in the beginning but will get easier with each session. You will complete 1-2 sessions per week, depending on your preference and availability. - Mid-point assessment
We will ask you again to complete the two tasks from the baseline assessment and fill out the same questionnaires.
- Therapy sessions 5 & 6
These are the same as therapy sessions 1-4.
- End-point assessment (2 hours)
The end-point assessment is the same as the baseline and mid-point assessment, with some additional questionnaires.
- We will also offer a reimbursement of £10/hour for the time you spend on the baseline, mid-point, and end-point assessments.
- If you take part in the trial, your participation will take approximately 8 weeks.
- You will still be able to receive standard IAPT/Talking Therapies treatment after you finish the trial.
Who can take part?
- Over the age of 18 years old
- A diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or panic disorder
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On the Brighton and Hove Wellbeing Service treatment waiting list
How can I take part?
If you wish to learn more, please register your interest by emailing the research Coordinator (joanna.
Contact details:
Email: joanna.
Phone: 07825 753368
Why is this study important?
- The first year of life is a critical time of development, but it is also the most common age for children to be brought to court by social workers in care proceedings. These infants' mothers often have contact with mental health services. They may also be parenting amidst issues such as poverty, lack of social support, and sometimes domestic violence or substance use. When social services become involved, it can put more pressure on mothers’ mental health, causing difficulties to spiral.
- Having a baby is a big transition, but it can also be a ‘window of opportunity’ to offer support to families facing difficulties. However, practitioners say they find it hard to engage with families at risk of custody removal and lack guidance on this. Mothers with infants involved with the child protection system say they are less satisfied with the support they receive from services and have more needs left unmet than other mothers. Those who have their infants removed from their custody describe this as a time of acute crisis but struggle to get therapeutic support.
What will the study involve?
- This novel study uses quantitative and qualitative methods and co-design to explore these families’ experiences further and identify how mental health services can work with them better.
- Researchers will interview around 30 mothers (and their family members) across England, including within Sussex Partnership, who accessed mental health support perinatally and had child protection involvement. We will explore their views of their needs and how they believe they and their infants can best be supported.
- The aim of this project is to identify ways to improve the provision of perinatal mental health services for mothers at risk of having their infants removed from their custody, both to help meet their needs and support mother-infant dyads.
- The research will explore mothers’ characteristics, needs and service use experiences, including how their needs are understood and framed in this context, what influences their engagement with services, how different needs may cluster together, and how this can affect outcomes. The project will produce creative resources designed to amplify the voice(s) of this population and support practitioners working in this area.
Who is running the study?
Kings College London is running this study, which is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
The recruitment period is February 2024 - February 2029.
Sussex Partnership is pleased to be a site for this study.
Contact details
For more information, please see here
Email: spft.
What are Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews (C(E)TRs) ?Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews (C(E)TRs) were introduced in 2015 and are intended to help reduce reliance on in-patient care and ensure that people get the right support in the community. C(E)TRs are an essential person-centred process to ensure system partners are working with people and families to provide the right care, education and treatment to avoid the need for a hospital admission.
What is this research about?We are doing research to understand if C(E)TRs improve the care and support that people with a learning disability and/or autistic people receive in the community. This national study is led by London and Maudsley (SLaM) NHS Foundation Trust and is open other NHS sites across the UK from September 2025, including Sussex Partnership. You can learn more at the study website here
CETRs are widely undertaken but there is very little research about how they are used and if they help people to get the support they need. It is not known if they reduce the number of people going into hospital and the time that people spend in hospital. This research project will address three main questions:
What are the benefits of taking part?
What does the project involve?
What will happen if I decide to take part in the study?
How to take partPlease speak to your clinician for more information The contacts at Sussex Partnership Research team are Rosalind Byles and Ruby Warden. Contact them by email: spft.
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This study aims to see how many people with psychosis may have a specific problem with their immune system. We can find out that by testing your blood sample for specific antibodies.
Who is running the study?
The study is sponsored by the University of Oxford. The study will take place in over 40 NHS mental health Trusts in England and Scotland and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is pleased to be a site for this study.
Why is the study being run?
There is some evidence that some cases of psychosis may be caused by a specific problem with the immune system. If the immune system goes wrong it may cause conditions called ‘autoimmune’ diseases. We can diagnose some of these diseases using blood tests. If a problem with immune system is found, then you may be eligible to take part in an additional study called SINAPPS2. In the SINAPPS2 study we are testing a new treatment that may help people who have psychosis due to their specific problem with their immune system.
Why should you take part?
It is your decision whether you take part. If you agree to take part, you are free to withdraw at any time without giving a reason.
You may/may not directly benefit from taking part in this study. However, if you did have a positive blood test, it would mean your doctor may suggest starting different treatment to help your symptoms as most immune diseases are treatable. The advantages then are the possibility of a new diagnosis or more accurate monitoring of your current condition.
What will taking part involve?
You will spend around 15 minutes with a member of the research team asking you questions about your problems. You will have a 23 ml (approximately one and half tablespoon) sample of blood taken. We will pay you £10 to compensate for the time and inconvenience.
Who can take part?
People referred to a mental health service as possibly having psychosis or are experiencing symptoms of psychosis.
How can I take part?
The study is recruiting participants from participating teams within Sussex Partnership. Participating teams will introduce and invite patients to participate in the study.
To find out more about the study please see the University of Oxford website here.
Contact details
Email: spft.
What is the study about?
The study is exploring thoughts and attitudes towards sleep habits and memory problems.
Who is running the study?
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Why is the study being run?
Sleep disturbances have been related to both, physical and mental health illnesses. The research aims to understand the thoughts and attitudes of people, towards sleep habits and memory problems. This is a sub study of the Minder study which asked people about their perceptions of assistive technology.
Why should you take part?
In completing the survey, you will contribute to the understanding of attitudes towards sleep and memory problems. Although there are no direct benefits to the volunteers taking part in the survey, it is hoped that these results will help to identify behavioural characteristics, that could help public healthcare services.
What will taking part involve?
Taking part involves answering a series of multiple choice and free answer questions about your attitude towards sleep, including your knowledge and beliefs around sleep. If you agree to take part, you will be provided with access to an online survey to complete that takes approximately 15 minutes.
During the study, there will be a question which will ask how you found out about the study. Please answer 'Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust'
Who can take part?
- Those who have and have not, had experience with sleep and/or memory problems
- Those who are 18+ years
- Those who give informed consent to take part
How can I take part?
You can take part by clicking the survey link here
Alternatively, you can email Dr Leanne Bogen-Johnston (Senior Clinical Research Practitioner) at: l.
What is the study about?
The SloMo2 study will explore how well SloMo therapy works when used in everyday NHS mental health services. SloMo is a digitally supported talking therapy designed to help people who have worries about harm from others. It works by helping people slow down fast thinking habits that can contribute to worries, to find ways of feeling safer and living well. Previous research has shown that people find SloMo helpful, easy to use, and enjoyable.
This study will assess how SloMo can be delivered by NHS therapists and whether it improves outcomes for service users. The target is to deliver SloMo therapy to 150 service user participants (50 per NHS Trust site), recruited over an 18-month period.
We will measure SloMo's impact on service user's mental health, how well it fits into routine care, and its value for money. If successful, SloMo could be made more widely available across the NHS.
Who is running the study?
The SloMo2 study is led by King’s College London in collaboration with the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SPFT), and Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust (CNTW).
The Chief Investigator is Dr. Amy Hardy, supported by a team of co-investigators, specialists, and NHS therapists across these trusts. The study is funded by the Wellcome Trust.
What is the possible impact?
The possible impact of the SloMo2 study includes:
- Improved support for paranoia
- Wider availability of SloMo across the NHS
- More engaging therapy
- Cost savings
- Reduced inequalities
What are the benefits of taking part?
In the previous SloMo trial, people found that the therapy helped them to slow down their thinking and worry less. They also reported improvements to their wellbeing. People found it enjoyable and easy to use. As we have evidence that SloMo can be helpful, and it is being offered within NHS care, we will not provide financial reimbursement for participation. With your consent, we will let you know about opportunities to participate in related research in future (e.g., an interview about your experience of SloMo), for which you will be reimbursed for your time.
What will taking part involve?
SloMo includes 11 one-to-one sessions with a therapist, typically lasting one hour each. Sessions will be supported by an online therapy platform which will includes videos of people sharing their worries, with tips about what can help you feel safer. You will be encouraged to try out these tips in sessions and find what works for you. Between sessions, the SloMo mobile app will help you identify worries and use the tips to feel safer. The app also provides a summary of your therapy sessions, and helps you keep track of progress. We recommend use of the SloMo mobile app to support your learning, however how much you use it is up to you.
Who can take part?
SloMo is for adults (18+), who are experiencing fear of harm from others. It has been co-developed with individuals with lived experience of these difficulties, to be as helpful and user-friendly as possible, including for people who do not feel confident using technology. The therapy is suitable for use by people who are currently under the care of NHS services.
How can I take part?
If you are interested in trying SloMo, contact your care co-ordinator, doctor or local NHS SloMo team. If a SloMo therapist is available, they will help you consider if the therapy is suitable for you. You will be given an information sheet and can ask any further questions before deciding whether to try SloMo. Your usual care will not change whether or not you take part
Contact details
Lauren Alff, Research Assistant
E: l.
Dr Sarah Mansfield, SloMo Therapy Lead
E: Sarah.Mansfield10@
Prof Kathy Greenwood, Principal Investigator
E: k.e.greenwood@
Further information
What is the study about?
One in three people with psychosis have visions, also known as visual hallucinations. Surprisingly, little is known about these experiences. We are trying to understand more about the thoughts people have about their visions and the impact they can have on their lives. This study aims to develop our understanding of visions in two ways:
- Develop a new measure exploring people's beliefs about visions
- Explore the relationship between visions and other issues such as poor sleep, high worry.
Who is running the study?
The study is led by Dr Charlotte Aynsworth (Gateshead Early Intervention in Psychosis,Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Foundation Trust and Department of Psychology, University of York). The study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), which is part of the UK Department of Health and Social Care. It is sponsored by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Foundation Trust (CNTW). The study is taking part nationwide, and is supported by Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust.
What is the possible impact?
Understanding more about the way in which people make sense of their visual hallucinations, and the impact it has on their lives, will be very helpful in enabling us to develop better treatments for people with visions.
What are the benefits of taking part?
There are not any direct benefits of taking part in the study. However, some people can find the questions interesting and find it reassuring to learn that their experiences are common. Equally, people often appreciate the opportunity to take part in research. Whilst this study does not offer a treatment for visions, the information you share may help us to develop new beneficial treatments for these in the future. You receive £10 for taking part.
What will taking part involve?
A researcher from your local NHS Trust will go through this study information sheet with you and can answer any questions you have. If you decide to take part, you will be asked to sign a consent form. You will then be invited to complete a pack of questionnaires which should take between 30 and 45 minutes. Your answers will be kept confidential. Someone can support you to complete this, or it can be done on your own online. You get £10 for taking part.
A small group of about 100 participants will also be asked if they would be willing to complete two of the same questionnaires again one week later. This would be a shorter meeting and will take about 15 minutes to complete. This is optional and you can choose to say no and still take part in the main part of the study. A further £10 will be paid to those who complete the second question pack.
Who can take part?
Approximately 900 people will take part in the study. Each person must:
- Be aged 16 or 65.
- Be in contact with mental health services.
- Have been given a diagnosis of non-affective psychosis (e.g. schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder or psychosis not otherwise specified).
- Currently experiencing visions (within the last 4 weeks).
How can I take part?
If you would like to find out more, please talk to a clinician involved in your care, who can contact us via the details below.
Contact
Principal Investigator: Dr Charlotte Aynsworth, Research Clinical Psychologist/NIHR Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellow
Email: charlotte.
Contact for Sussex
Joanna Pooley, Clinical Research Practitioner
Email: Joanna.