On the HORYZON: Moderated online social therapy for long-term recovery in first episode psychosis |
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| Authors: | M Alvarez-Jimenez S Bendall R Lederman G Wadley G Chinnery S Vargas M Larkin E Killackey PD McGorry JF Gleeson |
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| Institution: | 1. Departments of Occupational Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, United States;2. Department of Psychology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132, United States;3. Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, 64 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, United States;1. Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montréal, QC, Canada;2. Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada;3. Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada;4. Department of Education and Pedagogy, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada;5. Montreal Neurological Institute, Montréal, QC, Canada;6. Queen''s University, Kingston, ON, Canada;7. Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada;8. Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC, Canada;9. BC Mental Health and Addiction Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada;10. Cognition, Health, and Society Laboratory (EA 6291), University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France;11. Academic Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Reims, EPSM Marne, Reims, France;1. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States;2. Consorci Sanitari del Maresme, Spain;3. FPCEE Blanquerna, Universitat Ramon Llull, Spain;4. University of Pittsburgh, United States;1. Posit Science, San Francisco, CA, USA;2. Department of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA;3. Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA;4. San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA;5. Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA;6. Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA;7. Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA;8. VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, USA |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundEarly intervention services have demonstrated improved outcomes in first episode psychosis (FEP); however, recent evidence shows that treatment benefits may not be sustainable over time. These findings have resulted in repeated recommendations for the implementation of longer term treatment programs. An Internet-based intervention specifically designed for young people with psychosis may provide a cost-effective alternative to prevent loss of treatment benefits from early intervention.MethodsOur multi-disciplinary team has developed a highly novel online intervention (HORYZONS) in regular consultation with stakeholders within a specialist early psychosis program. HORYZONS integrates: i) peer-to-peer social networking, ii) individually tailored interactive psychosocial interventions, and iii) expert interdisciplinary and peer-moderation in a coherent platform designed to improve long-term outcomes in FEP. The acceptability, safety and initial clinical benefits of HORYZONS were examined through a 1-month pilot study with 20 participants with FEP.ResultsThere were no dropouts during the pilot study. Seventy per cent of participants utilised the system for at least 3 weeks, 95% used the social networking features, and 60% completed at least 3 therapy modules. System usage was high during the study. There were no incidents and the majority of participants reported feeling safe, empowered and more socially connected using HORYZONS. Analysis revealed a significant reduction in depressive symptoms at follow-up.ConclusionsOur results indicate that HORYZONS is feasible, engaging and safe and may augment social connectedness and empowerment in FEP. These findings have significant implications for the enhancement of specialist FEP services. The potential of HORYZONS to improve long-term recovery is worthy of further investigation. |
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