A single-blind, randomised controlled trial of a physical health nurse intervention to prevent weight gain and metabolic complications in first-episode psychosis: the Physical Health Assistance in Early Psychosis (PHAstER) study

Abstract

Background Factors that contribute to the early mortality observed in psychotic disorders, specifically obesity, smoking and sedentary behaviour, occur early in the disorder. Aims We aimed to determine whether the integration of a physical health nurse in the care of young people with first-episode psychosis could prevent clinically significant weight gain (≥7% body weight). Secondary outcomes included rates of smoking, metabolic syndrome and sedentary behaviour. Method In this single-blind, randomised controlled trial, participants who had received under 4 weeks of antipsychotic medication were randomly allocated to either the intervention (addition of a physical health nurse to their care)..