Feasibility of a supported self-management intervention for relatives of people with recent-onset psychosis: REACT study.
BACKGROUND
Relatives of people with psychosis experience high levels of distress and require support. Family interventions have been shown to be effective in improving outcomes but are difficult to access and not suitable for all relatives.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a supported self-management package for relatives of people with recent-onset psychosis.


METHODS
A randomised controlled trial (n = 103) comparing treatment as usual (TAU) in early intervention services with TAU plus the Relatives' Education And Coping Toolkit (REACT) intervention (trial identifier: ISRCTN69299093).


RESULTS
Compared with TAU only, those receiving the additional REACT intervention showed reduced distress and increased perceived support and perceived ability to cope at 6-month follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The toolkit is a feasible and potentially effective intervention to improve outcomes for relatives. A larger trial is needed to reliably assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of REACT, and its impact on longer-term outcomes.
Fiona Lobban, BA, DClinPsy, PhD, Spectrum Centre, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University; David Glentworth, RMN, DipCogTher, Bolton Early Intervention Service, Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust; Lesley Chapman, relative; Laura Wainwright, BSc, MSc, Adam Postlethwaite, BSc, MSc, Spectrum Centre, Division of Health Research, Lancaster University; Graham Dunn, BA, MA, PhD, MSc, Centre for Biostatistics, University of Manchester; Vanessa Pinfold, BA, PhD, Institute of Psychiatry, London; Warren Larkin, BSc, DClinPsy, Children and Families Network, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust, Preston; Gillian Haddock, BSc, MSc, PhD, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, UK.
Fiona
F
Lobban
David
D
Glentworth
Lesley
L
Chapman
Laura
L
Wainwright
Adam
A
Postlethwaite
Graham
G
Dunn
Vanessa
V
Pinfold
Warren
W
Larkin
Gillian
G
Haddock
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D061345:Early Medical Intervention; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D013222:State Medicine; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult