Effect of a Peer-led Self-management Program for Recent-onset Psychosis (PLSMI)
Early Psychosis, Psychotic Disorders
About this trial
This is an interventional health services research trial for Early Psychosis focused on measuring first-onset psychosis, randomized controlled trial, peer support, self management, recovery, re-hospitalization
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Hong Kong Chinese residents, aged 18-60 years;
- Having Global Assessment of Functioning scores ≥ 51, indicating mild to moderate symptoms and difficulty in psychosocial/occupational functioning and thus mentally stable to comprehend the self-care training and education provided; and
- Able to understand Cantonese/Mandarin
Exclusion Criteria:
- Participated in or having been receiving other psycho-education/psychotherapies;
- Having co-morbidity of another mental illness (learning disability and cognitive and personality disorders) or any clinically significant medical diseases; and
- Having visual/language/communication difficulty
Sites / Locations
- Integrated Community Centers for Mental Wellness
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Active Comparator
Other
Peer-led self-management program
Psycho-education group
Usual care only
Peer-led self-management program (PLSMI) consists of 10 weekly/biweekly, 1.5-hour sessions (4 months), based on the modified Crisis-resolution-team Optimization and Relapse Prevention (CORE) program workbook/manual and psycho-education programs developed by the research team. The program based on completion of a self-management workbook, consisting of the main components: personal recovery goals, plans to re-establish community functioning and support networks following a crisis, identifying early warning signs and creating a relapse prevention plan, and strategies and coping resources to problem-solving and maintain well-being. Participants work through the workbook at their own pace, with the support from the peer support worker, to facilitate/support their recovery. They will meet in group with a trained peer support worker on 10 sessions, usually at 7-12 days intervals over 4 months.
Psycho-education groups (12-18 members/group; 10 two-hour sessions, weekly/biweekly), 4-month duration similar to the PLSMI, will be led by one trained advanced practice psychiatric nurse in each center experienced in psychiatric rehabilitation, and are guided by a validated group-intervention protocol based on the research team's and McFarlane et al.'s psycho-education programs for psychosis.
Usual care (control) participants (and treatment groups) will receive routine psychiatric outpatient and community mental healthcare services.