Technology‐enabled collaborative care for youth with early psychosis: Results of a feasibility study to improve physical health behaviours. Issue 10 (1st February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Melamed, Osnat; Voineskos, Aristotle; Vojtila, Lenka; Ashfaq, Iqra; Veldhuizen, Scott; Dragonetti, Rosa; Carriere, Rebecca; LaChance, Laura; Kohut, Sara Ahola; Tulloch, Trisha; Argarwal, Sri Mahavir; Hahn, Margaret; Mulsant, Benoit H.; Selby, Peter
• Is Part Of: Early intervention in psychiatry. Volume 16:Issue 10(2022)
• Page Start: 1143
• Page End: 1151
• Publication Date: 2022-02-01
• Subjects: collaborative care -- health behaviour change -- health coaching -- psychosis -- technology; Mental health -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Research -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Prevention -- Research -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Treatment -- Research -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1111/eip.13266
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-7885

Abstract

Abstract: Aim: Psychotic disorders are associated with excess morbidity and premature mortality. Contributing factors include tobacco smoking, low physical activity, and poor nutrition. This study tested a Technology‐Enabled Collaborative Care model to improve health behaviours among youth with early psychosis. Methods: A feasibility study among youth (ages 16–29) with early psychosis in Ontario, Canada. Participants were randomized to either a health coach supervised by a virtual care team (high intensity, n = 29), or self‐directed learning (low intensity, n = 23) for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was participant engagement, defined as self‐perceived benefit of changing health behaviours. Secondary outcomes were measures of health behaviours and programme‐use metrics. Results: Engagement was higher for high intensity participants for physical activity (adjusted group difference in change at 24 weeks = 3.4, CI95% = 1.9–4.9, p < .001) and nutrition (adjusted difference = 2.9, CI95% = 1.2–4.6, p = .001). No change was observed in health behaviours. Sixty two percent of participants completed 6 or more of the 12 weekly remote individualized health coaching sessions. Nine (39%) low intensity and 12 (41%) high intensity participants completed the final follow‐up. Conclusions: Personalized health coaching for youth with psychosis is feasible and may have sustained benefits. However, retention with this population for 12 weeks is challenging.