title: A randomised controlled trial of positive memory training for the treatment of depression within schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Depression is highly prevalent within individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, and is associated with an increased risk of suicide. There are no current evidence based treatments for low mood within this group. The specific targeting of co-morbid conditions within complex mental health problems lends itself to the development of short-term structured interventions which are relatively easy to disseminate within health services. A brief cognitive intervention based on a competitive memory theory of depression, is being evaluated in terms of its effectiveness in reducing depression within this group.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a single blind, intention-to-treat, multi-site, randomized controlled trial comparing Positive Memory Training plus Treatment as Usual with Treatment as Usual alone. Participants will be recruited from two NHS Trusts in Southern England. In order to be eligible, participants must have a DSM-V diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder and exhibit at least a mild level of depression. Following baseline assessment eligible participants will be randomly allocated to either the Positive Memory Training plus Treatment as Usual group or the Treatment as Usual group. Outcome will be assessed at the end of treatment (3-months) and at 6-month and 9-month post randomization by assessors blind to group allocation. The primary outcome will be levels of depression and secondary outcomes will be severity of psychotic symptoms and cost-effectiveness. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with all participants who are allocated to the treatment group so as to explore the acceptability of the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cognitive behaviour therapy is recommended for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, the number of sessions and length of training required to deliver this intervention has caused a limit in availability. The current trial will evaluate a short-term structured protocol which targets a co-morbid condition often considered of primary importance by service users. If successful the intervention will be an important addition to current initiatives aimed at increasing access to psychological therapies for people diagnosed with severe mental health problems.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current Controlled Trials. ISRCTN99485756 . Registered 13 March 2014.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK. c.steel@reading.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Steel
authors.affiliation: VU University and EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.vander.gaag@vu.nl.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van der Gaag
authors.affiliation: PsyQ, Parnassia-Bavo Psychiatric Centre, Stadhoudersplantsoen 2, 2517 JL, The Hague, The Netherlands. k.korrelboom@psyq.nl.
authors.forename: Kees
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Korrelboom
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Economics, Centre for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. judit.simon@meduniwien.ac.at.
authors.forename: Judit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, SO30 3JB, UK. peter.phiri@southernhealth.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Phiri
authors.affiliation: School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AL, UK. m.f.baksh@reading.ac.uk.
authors.forename: M Fazil
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Baksh
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK. Til.Wykes@kcl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Til
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wykes
authors.affiliation: Health Service Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK. Diana.Rose@kcl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.affiliation: Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, Bracknell, RG12 ILH, UK. Suzanna.Rose@berkshire.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Suzanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.affiliation: Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, Bracknell, RG12 ILH, UK. Mark.Hardcastle@berkshire.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hardcastle
authors.affiliation: Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, Bracknell, RG12 ILH, UK. Simon.Enright@berkshire.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Enright
authors.affiliation: Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, Bracknell, RG12 ILH, UK. Gareth.Evans@berkshire.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Gareth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK. D.Kingdon@soton.ac.uk.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kingdon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D012107:Research Design; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D055815:Young Adult