Martina Di Simplicio1,2, Elizabeth Appiah-Kusi3, Paul Wilkinson4,5, Peter Watson2, Caroline Meiser-Stedman5, David J Kavanagh6, Emily A Holmes7. 1. Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK. 2. MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. 3. Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, London, UK. 4. Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. 5. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK. 6. Centre for Children's Health Research, School of Psychology & Counselling, Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. 7. Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The Imaginator study tested the feasibility of a short mental imagery-based psychological intervention for young people who self-harm and used a stepped-wedge design to investigate effects on self-harm frequency reduction at 3 and 6 months. METHOD: A total of 38 participants aged 16-25 were recruited via community self-referral and mental health services. Participants were randomized to immediate delivery of Functional Imagery Training (FIT) or usual care followed by delayed delivery after 3 months. FIT comprised two face-to-face sessions, five phone sessions, and use of a smartphone app. Outcomes' assessment was blind to allocation. RESULTS: Three quarters of those who began treatment completed face-to-face sessions, and 57% completed five or more sessions in total. Self-harm frequency data were obtained on 76% of the sample at 3 months (primary outcome) and 63% at 6 months. FIT produced moderate reductions in self-harm frequency at 3 months after immediate (d = 0.65) and delayed delivery (d = 0.75). The Immediate FIT group maintained improvements from 3 to 6 months (d = 0.05). Participants receiving usual care also reduced self-harm (d = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: A brief mental imagery-based psychological intervention targeting self-harm in young people is feasible and may comprise a novel transdiagnostic treatment for self-harm.
OBJECTIVES: The Imaginator study tested the feasibility of a short mental imagery-based psychological intervention for young people who self-harm and used a stepped-wedge design to investigate effects on self-harm frequency reduction at 3 and 6 months. METHOD: A total of 38 participants aged 16-25 were recruited via community self-referral and mental health services. Participants were randomized to immediate delivery of Functional Imagery Training (FIT) or usual care followed by delayed delivery after 3 months. FIT comprised two face-to-face sessions, five phone sessions, and use of a smartphone app. Outcomes' assessment was blind to allocation. RESULTS: Three quarters of those who began treatment completed face-to-face sessions, and 57% completed five or more sessions in total. Self-harm frequency data were obtained on 76% of the sample at 3 months (primary outcome) and 63% at 6 months. FIT produced moderate reductions in self-harm frequency at 3 months after immediate (d = 0.65) and delayed delivery (d = 0.75). The Immediate FIT group maintained improvements from 3 to 6 months (d = 0.05). Participants receiving usual care also reduced self-harm (d = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS: A brief mental imagery-based psychological intervention targeting self-harm in young people is feasible and may comprise a novel transdiagnostic treatment for self-harm.
Authors: Joseph C Franklin; Kathryn R Fox; Christopher R Franklin; Evan M Kleiman; Jessica D Ribeiro; Adam C Jaroszewski; Jill M Hooley; Matthew K Nock Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2016-03-28
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