Pilot RCT of Self-stigma Treatment for First Episode Psychosis (NECT-YA)

• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04889911
• Recruitment Status: Not yet recruiting
• First Posted: May 17, 2021
• Last Update Posted: March 17, 2023
• Sponsor: John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York
• Collaborator: Indiana University School of Medicine
• Information provided by (Responsible Party): John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York

Study Description

Brief Summary:

The overall purpose of the proposed exploratory intervention development application, is to conduct research that will inform the adaptation and preliminary testing of NECT modified for youth (aged 15-24) with first episode psychosis (FEP), targeting self-concept and illness conceptions to increase treatment engagement. The specific aims of the project are to: 1) adapt NECT to be responsive to the needs and preferences of youth with FEP, and 2) Assess the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of the modified intervention (NECT-YA) combined with coordinated specialty care (CSC) services, compared to CSC services alone, in a small (n = 40) RCT.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
First Episode Psychosis; Youth	Behavioral: Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy- Young Adult, Combined with Coordinated Specialty Care; Other: Coordinated Specialty Care	Not Applicable

Detailed Description:

The investigators will conduct a small RCT of the modified intervention (NECT-YA), combined with CSC, in comparison with CSC alone, with 40 persons recruited from three FEP programs, assessing acceptability and feasibility, and collecting data on primary outcome (service engagement and therapeutic alliance), related outcomes (self-esteem, hopelessness, and social functioning) and mechanisms of action (self-stigma, illness conceptions and coping). The investigators will also collect qualitative data on participants' impressions of NECT-YA, which will inform additional revisions of the manual.

Study Design

• Study Type: Interventional (Clinical Trial)
• Estimated Enrollment: 40 participants
• Allocation: Randomized
• Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
• Intervention Model Description: Randomize controlled trial with random assignment to intervention being studied (NECT-YA) or treatment as usual (Coordinated Specialty Care).
• Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
• Masking Description: Assessors will be kept blind to participant assignment.
• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Official Title: Development of a Stage-specific Adaptation of a Self-stigma Intervention for People Recovering From a First Episode of Psychosis
• Estimated Study Start Date: April 2023
• Estimated Primary Completion Date: May 2024
• Estimated Study Completion Date: July 2024

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/treatment
Experimental: Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy- Young Adult, Combined with Coordinated Specialty Care; NECT is a structured, 20-session group-based treatment called that combines psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, and elements of narrative psychotherapy. NECT-YA will be modified to meet the needs of people who have experienced an FEP and may have fewer sessions or be provided in individual format or via telehealth for this study. NECT-YA will be offered to participants who are also receiving treatment within Coordinated Specialty Care programs for First Episode Psychosis.	Behavioral: Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy- Young Adult, Combined with Coordinated Specialty Care; NECT is a psychosocial intervention focused on addressing the effects of self-stigma on individuals diagnosed with severe mental illnesses. For the present study, the intervention has been modified to address the needs of youth who have recently experienced a first episode of psychosis.; Other Name: NECT-YA; Other: Coordinated Specialty Care; Coordinated Specialty Care is an evidence-based, multimodal intervention for persons who have experienced a first episode of psychosis.; Other Name: CSC
Active Comparator: Coordinated Specialty Care; Coordinated Specialty Care is an evidence-based treatment for FEP that includes multiple treatment components. The FEP programs in at the recruiting site follow the Coordinated Specialty Care model.	Other: Coordinated Specialty Care; Coordinated Specialty Care is an evidence-based, multimodal intervention for persons who have experienced a first episode of psychosis.; Other Name: CSC

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures :

1. Treatment Engagement [ Time Frame: 0 minutes ]
   Quantity of service use will be measured using attendance records for groups collected by facilitators, as well as administrative data on total service use within the FEP programs.
2. Working Alliance Inventory Short Form-Client Version [ Time Frame: 2 minutes ]
   A 12-item self-report measure of perception of relationship with the treatment team. Higher scores indicate better working alliance.
3. Coping with Symptoms Checklist [ Time Frame: 15 minutes ]
   Assesses the use of problem-centered, neutral and avoidant coping strategies to deal with a variety of psychiatric symptoms commonly experienced by people with severe mental illnesses. Higher scores in each subscale indicate more use of that type of coping strategy.

Secondary Outcome Measures :

1. Beck Hopelessness Scale [ Time Frame: 3 minutes ]
   The Beck Hopelessness Scale is a well-established 20-item scale that will be used to measure pessimistic expectations of the future. Individual items are summed to provide an overall index of hope or its absence. Higher scores indicate less hope.
2. Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale [ Time Frame: 2 minutes ]
   The Rosenberg Self Esteem Schedule will be used to measure self-esteem and self-deprecation. Higher scores indicate more self-esteem.
3. Quality of Life Scale [ Time Frame: 20 minutes ]
   The Quality of Life Scale is a 21-item scale completed by clinically trained research staff following a semi-structured interview that assesses social functioning in multiple domains. Higher scores indicate great social functioning.

Other Outcome Measures:

1. Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale [ Time Frame: 5 minutes ]
   A 29 item measure of internalized stigma. Higher scores indicate great internalized stigma.
2. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [ Time Frame: 20 minutes ]
   The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale is a 30-item rating scale of psychiatric symptoms associated with psychosis, completed following a chart review and semi-structured interview. Higher scores indicate more symptoms.
3. Recovery Style Questionnaire Recovery Style Questionnaire [ Time Frame: 5 minutes ]
   The Recovery Style Questionnaire is a 39 item self-report scale designed to assess the extent to which people with psychosis engage in "sealing over" versus "integration" with regard to how their self-conception.

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 15 Years to 24 Years (Child, Adult)
• Sexes Eligible for Study: All
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Meets criteria for FEP youth based on the following definition: age 15-24, onset of psychotic symptoms within the last 5 years, and an absence of a primary substance use or mood disorder that could be causing the psychotic symptoms (confirmed by program eligibility);
2. Meets criteria for moderate (defined as a mean score of 1-1.5 on the 0-3 scale of the Internalized Stigma of Mental lllness Scale [ISMI]) or elevated (defined as a mean score of 1.5-3 on the 0-3 scale of the ISMI) self-stigma;
3. Speaks English well enough to complete assessments and participate in groups;
4. Is able to provide informed consent to participate.

Exclusion Criteria:

Does not meet any of the above inclusion criteria.

Contacts and Locations

Contacts

Contact: Courtney Wiesepape, Ph.D.; 317-520-1220; cwiesepape@sycamores.indstate.edu

Sponsors and Collaborators

John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York

Indiana University School of Medicine

More Information

• Responsible Party: John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04889911
• Other Study ID Numbers: JJayCuny
• First Posted: May 17, 2021
• Last Update Posted: March 17, 2023
• Last Verified: March 2023

Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:

• Plan to Share IPD: No

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product: No

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Psychotic Disorders; Mental Disorders; Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders