Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Measures Following Utilization of Peer Support and Supportive Text Messaging in Mental Health- Controlled Observational Study

Introduction Peer support workers (PSW) and text messaging services (TxM) are effective mental health supportive services. Both interventions have positive outcomes, with TxM demonstrating clinical and economic effectiveness and PSW showing its utility within the recovery-oriented model. Objectives...

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Main Authors: R. Shalaby, V. Agyapong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2023-03-01
Series:European Psychiatry
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933823002419/type/journal_article
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author R. Shalaby
V. Agyapong
author_facet R. Shalaby
V. Agyapong
author_sort R. Shalaby
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Peer support workers (PSW) and text messaging services (TxM) are effective mental health supportive services. Both interventions have positive outcomes, with TxM demonstrating clinical and economic effectiveness and PSW showing its utility within the recovery-oriented model. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of combining PSW and TxM together in reducing psychological distress of recently discharged patients receiving psychiatric care. Methods In a prospective, rater-blinded, pilot-controlled observational design, 181 discharged patients were recruited and randomized into four conditions; TxM only, PSW only, TxM and PSW, and treatment as usual. Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), a standardized measure of mental distress, was examined at four time points: baseline, six weeks, three months, and six months. MANCOVA was used to assess the impact of the interventions on participants’ scores on four CORE-OM subscales across the three follow-up time points. Results A total of 63 patients completed assessments at each time point. The interaction between PSW and TxM was predictive of differences in scores on the CORE-OM functioning subscale with a medium effect size (F1,63 = 4.19; p = 0.045; ηp2 = 0.07). The PSW + TxM group consistently achieved higher rates of recovery and clinical and reliable improvement compared to the other study groups. Additionally, the text message group and the PSW + TxM group significantly reduced the prevalence of risk of self/other harm symptoms after six months of intervention, with 27.59% (χ2(1) = 4.42, p = 0.04) and 50% (χ2(1) = 9.03, p < 0.01) prevalence reduction, respectively. Conclusions Combining PSW and TxM is effective with positive clinical outcomes for acute care patients. Incorporating the two interventions into routine psychiatric care for patients after discharge is highly recommended. Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
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spelling doaj.art-e6b9f20a062944baa304f08498515c7a2023-11-17T05:09:25ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852023-03-0166S73S7410.1192/j.eurpsy.2023.241Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Measures Following Utilization of Peer Support and Supportive Text Messaging in Mental Health- Controlled Observational StudyR. Shalaby0V. Agyapong1Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, CanadaDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada Introduction Peer support workers (PSW) and text messaging services (TxM) are effective mental health supportive services. Both interventions have positive outcomes, with TxM demonstrating clinical and economic effectiveness and PSW showing its utility within the recovery-oriented model. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of combining PSW and TxM together in reducing psychological distress of recently discharged patients receiving psychiatric care. Methods In a prospective, rater-blinded, pilot-controlled observational design, 181 discharged patients were recruited and randomized into four conditions; TxM only, PSW only, TxM and PSW, and treatment as usual. Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE-OM), a standardized measure of mental distress, was examined at four time points: baseline, six weeks, three months, and six months. MANCOVA was used to assess the impact of the interventions on participants’ scores on four CORE-OM subscales across the three follow-up time points. Results A total of 63 patients completed assessments at each time point. The interaction between PSW and TxM was predictive of differences in scores on the CORE-OM functioning subscale with a medium effect size (F1,63 = 4.19; p = 0.045; ηp2 = 0.07). The PSW + TxM group consistently achieved higher rates of recovery and clinical and reliable improvement compared to the other study groups. Additionally, the text message group and the PSW + TxM group significantly reduced the prevalence of risk of self/other harm symptoms after six months of intervention, with 27.59% (χ2(1) = 4.42, p = 0.04) and 50% (χ2(1) = 9.03, p < 0.01) prevalence reduction, respectively. Conclusions Combining PSW and TxM is effective with positive clinical outcomes for acute care patients. Incorporating the two interventions into routine psychiatric care for patients after discharge is highly recommended. Disclosure of InterestNone Declaredhttps://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933823002419/type/journal_article
spellingShingle R. Shalaby
V. Agyapong
Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Measures Following Utilization of Peer Support and Supportive Text Messaging in Mental Health- Controlled Observational Study
European Psychiatry
title Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Measures Following Utilization of Peer Support and Supportive Text Messaging in Mental Health- Controlled Observational Study
title_full Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Measures Following Utilization of Peer Support and Supportive Text Messaging in Mental Health- Controlled Observational Study
title_fullStr Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Measures Following Utilization of Peer Support and Supportive Text Messaging in Mental Health- Controlled Observational Study
title_full_unstemmed Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Measures Following Utilization of Peer Support and Supportive Text Messaging in Mental Health- Controlled Observational Study
title_short Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Measures Following Utilization of Peer Support and Supportive Text Messaging in Mental Health- Controlled Observational Study
title_sort clinical outcomes in routine evaluation measures following utilization of peer support and supportive text messaging in mental health controlled observational study
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933823002419/type/journal_article
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