OBJECTIVE: Internet-based treatments for early psychosis offer considerable promise, but safety and security need to be established. This study pilot tested Horyzons, a novel online treatment application that integrates purpose-built moderated social networking with psychoeducation for recovery from early psychosis. METHODS:Safety, privacy, and security were evaluated during a one-month single-group trial with 20 young consumers recovering from early psychosis who were recruited in Melbourne, Australia. Known clinical risk factors informed the safety protocol. Safety, privacy, and security were evaluated with respect to relapse and self-harm, users' perceptions of safety and privacy, and activity using Horyzons. RESULTS: No clinical or security problems with use of Horyzons were noted. Participants described feeling safe and trusting Horyzons. CONCLUSIONS:Private moderated online social networking combined with psychoeducation was a safe and secure therapeutic environment for consumers recovering from a first episode of psychosis. Testing the intervention in a randomized controlled trial is warranted.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: Internet-based treatments for early psychosis offer considerable promise, but safety and security need to be established. This study pilot tested Horyzons, a novel online treatment application that integrates purpose-built moderated social networking with psychoeducation for recovery from early psychosis. METHODS: Safety, privacy, and security were evaluated during a one-month single-group trial with 20 young consumers recovering from early psychosis who were recruited in Melbourne, Australia. Known clinical risk factors informed the safety protocol. Safety, privacy, and security were evaluated with respect to relapse and self-harm, users' perceptions of safety and privacy, and activity using Horyzons. RESULTS: No clinical or security problems with use of Horyzons were noted. Participants described feeling safe and trusting Horyzons. CONCLUSIONS: Private moderated online social networking combined with psychoeducation was a safe and secure therapeutic environment for consumers recovering from a first episode of psychosis. Testing the intervention in a randomized controlled trial is warranted.
Authors: Fiona Lobban; Nadia Akers; Duncan Appelbe; Rossella Iraci Capuccinello; Lesley Chapman; Lizzi Collinge; Susanna Dodd; Sue Flowers; Bruce Hollingsworth; Mahsa Honary; Sonia Johnson; Steven H Jones; Ceu Mateus; Barbara Mezes; Elizabeth Murray; Katerina Panagaki; Naomi Rainford; Heather Robinson; Anna Rosala-Hallas; William Sellwood; Andrew Walker; Paula R Williamson Journal: Health Technol Assess Date: 2020-06 Impact factor: 4.014
Authors: Simon Rice; Jo Robinson; Sarah Bendall; Sarah Hetrick; Georgina Cox; Eleanor Bailey; John Gleeson; Mario Alvarez-Jimenez Journal: J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2016-05-01
Authors: John Gleeson; Reeva Lederman; Helen Herrman; Peter Koval; Dina Eleftheriadis; Sarah Bendall; Sue M Cotton; Mario Alvarez-Jimenez Journal: Trials Date: 2017-01-17 Impact factor: 2.279
Authors: M van Doorn; A Popma; T van Amelsvoort; C McEnery; J F Gleeson; F G Ory; Jaspers M W M; M Alvarez-Jimenez; D H Nieman Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2021-07-23 Impact factor: 3.630