HORYZONS trial: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a moderated online social therapy to maintain treatment effects from first-episode psychosis services

M Alvarez-Jimenez; S Bendall; P Koval; S Rice; D Cagliarini; L Valentine; S D'Alfonso; C Miles; P Russon; DL Penn; J Phillips; R Lederman; G Wadley; E Killackey; O Santesteban-Echarri; C Mihalopoulos; H Herrman; C Gonzalez-Blanch; T Gilbertson; S Lal; R Chambers; R Daglas-Georgiou; C Latorre; SM Cotton; PD McGorry; JF Gleeson

Journal article

HORYZONS trial: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a moderated online social therapy to maintain treatment effects from first-episode psychosis services

M Alvarez-Jimenez, S Bendall, P Koval, S Rice, D Cagliarini, L Valentine, S D'Alfonso, C Miles, P Russon, DL Penn, J Phillips, R Lederman, G Wadley, E Killackey, O Santesteban-Echarri, C Mihalopoulos, H Herrman, C Gonzalez-Blanch, T Gilbertson, S Lal Show all

BMJ Open | BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP | Published : 2019

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024104

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Abstract

Introduction Specialised early intervention services have demonstrated improved outcomes in first-episode psychosis (FEP); however, clinical gains may not be sustained after patients are transferred to regular care. Moreover, many patients with FEP remain socially isolated with poor functional outcomes. To address this, our multidisciplinary team has developed a moderated online social media therapy (HORYZONS) designed to enhance social functioning and maintain clinical gains from specialist FEP services. HORYZONS merges: (1) peer-to-peer social networking; (2) tailored therapeutic interventions; (3) expert and peer-moderation; and (4) new models of psychological therapy (strengths and mindf..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Mario Alvarez-Jimenez Author

Sarah Bendall Author

Peter Koval Author

Simon Rice Author

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Grants

Awarded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Funding Acknowledgements

The HORYZONS trial was supported by the Mental Illness Research Fund from the State Government of Victoria. MA-J was supported by a Career Development Fellowship (APP1082934) from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). SMC has been supported by a Career Development Fellowship (APP1061998) and Senior Research Fellowship (APP1136344) from NHMRC. ChM was supported by a NHMRC Early Career Fellowship (APP1035887) during the conduct of the trial. SL was supported in part by a New Investigator Salary Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and previously in part by a Research Scholar Salary Award from the Fonds de recherche du Quebec-Sante.