M Alvarez-Jimenez1, J F Gleeson2, S Bendall3, D L Penn4, A R Yung5, R M Ryan6, D Eleftheriadis3, S D'Alfonso7, S Rice3, C Miles3, P Russon3, R Lederman8, R Chambers9, C Gonzalez-Blanch10, M H Lim11, E Killackey3, P D McGorry3, B Nelson3. 1. Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: malvarez@unimelb.edu.au. 2. School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia. 3. Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia. 4. School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia; University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, USA. 5. Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. 6. Australian Catholic University, Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australia; University of Rochester, Meliora Hall, Rochester, NY, United States. 7. Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia; The School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Australia. 8. The School of Computing and Information Systems, The University of Melbourne, Australia. 9. Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. 10. Universtiy Hospital Marques de Valdecilla-IDIVAL, Santander, Spain. 11. Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute, Swinburne University of Technology, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Psychological and pharmacological treatments have been shown to reduce rates of transition to psychosis in Ultra High Risk (UHR) young people. However, social functioning deficits have been unresponsive to current treatments. AIMS: The study aims were to: i) describe the theoretical basis and therapeutic targets of a novel intervention targeting social functioning in UHR young people; and ii) examine its acceptability, safety and preliminary effect on social functioning. METHODS: An international, multidisciplinary team developed a new intervention (MOMENTUM) to improve social functioning in UHR young people. MOMENTUM blends two novel approaches to social recovery: strengths and mindfulness-based intervention embedded within a social media environment, and application of the self-determination theory of motivation. The acceptability and safety of MOMENTUM were tested through a 2-month pilot study with 14 UHR participants. RESULTS: System usage was high, with over 70% of users being actively engaged over the trial. All participants reported a positive experience using MOMENTUM, considered it safe and would recommend it to others. 93% reported it to be helpful. There were large, reliable improvements in social functioning (d = 1.83, p < 0.001) and subjective wellbeing (d = 0.75, p = 0.03) at follow-up. There were significant increases in the mechanisms targeted by the intervention including strengths usage (d = 0.70, p = 0.03), mindfulness skills (d = 0.66, p = 0.04) and components of social support. Social functioning improvement was significantly correlated with indicators of system usage. CONCLUSION: MOMENTUM is engaging and safe. MOMENTUM appeared to engage the hypothesized mechanisms and showed promise as a new avenue to improve social functioning in UHR young people.
BACKGROUND: Psychological and pharmacological treatments have been shown to reduce rates of transition to psychosis in Ultra High Risk (UHR) young people. However, social functioning deficits have been unresponsive to current treatments. AIMS: The study aims were to: i) describe the theoretical basis and therapeutic targets of a novel intervention targeting social functioning in UHR young people; and ii) examine its acceptability, safety and preliminary effect on social functioning. METHODS: An international, multidisciplinary team developed a new intervention (MOMENTUM) to improve social functioning in UHR young people. MOMENTUM blends two novel approaches to social recovery: strengths and mindfulness-based intervention embedded within a social media environment, and application of the self-determination theory of motivation. The acceptability and safety of MOMENTUM were tested through a 2-month pilot study with 14 UHR participants. RESULTS: System usage was high, with over 70% of users being actively engaged over the trial. All participants reported a positive experience using MOMENTUM, considered it safe and would recommend it to others. 93% reported it to be helpful. There were large, reliable improvements in social functioning (d = 1.83, p < 0.001) and subjective wellbeing (d = 0.75, p = 0.03) at follow-up. There were significant increases in the mechanisms targeted by the intervention including strengths usage (d = 0.70, p = 0.03), mindfulness skills (d = 0.66, p = 0.04) and components of social support. Social functioning improvement was significantly correlated with indicators of system usage. CONCLUSION: MOMENTUM is engaging and safe. MOMENTUM appeared to engage the hypothesized mechanisms and showed promise as a new avenue to improve social functioning in UHR young people.
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Authors: Simon Rice; Bridget O'Bree; Michael Wilson; Carla McEnery; Michelle H Lim; Matthew Hamilton; John Gleeson; Sarah Bendall; Simon D'Alfonso; Penni Russon; Lee Valentine; Daniela Cagliarini; Simmone Howell; Christopher Miles; Marc Pearson; Laura Nicholls; Nicola Garland; Edward Mullen; Patrick D McGorry; Mario Alvarez-Jimenez Journal: Internet Interv Date: 2020-05-08