Smartphone-delivered self-management for first-episode psychosis: the ARIES feasibility randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: To test the feasibility and acceptability of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate a Smartphone-based self-management tool in Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) services. DESIGN: A two-arm unblinded feasibility RCT. SETTING: Six NHS EIP services in England. PARTICIPANTS: Adults using EIP services who own an Android Smartphone. Participants were recruited until the recruitment target was met (n=40). INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomised with a 1:1 allocation to one of two conditions: (1) treatment as usual from EIP services (TAU) or (2) TAU plus access to My Journey 3 on their own Smartphone. My Journey 3 features a range of self-management components including access to digital recovery and relapse prevention plans, medication tracking and symptom monitoring. My Journey 3 use was at the users’ discretion and was supported by EIP service clinicians. Participants had access for a median of 38.1 weeks. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, follow-up rates and intervention engagement. Participant data on mental health outcomes were collected from clinical records and from research assessments at baseline, 4 months and 12 months. RESULTS: 83% and 75% of participants were retained in the trial at the 4-month and 12-month assessments. All treatment group participants had access to My Journey 3 during the trial, but technical difficulties caused delays in ensuring timely access to the intervention. The median number of My Journey 3 uses was 16.5 (IQR 8.5 to 23) and median total minutes spent using My Journey 3 was 26.8 (IQR 18.3 to 57.3). No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Recruitment and retention were feasible. Within a trial context, My Journey 3 could be successfully delivered to adults using EIP services, but with relatively low usage rates. Further evaluation of the intervention in a larger trial may be warranted, but should include attention to implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN10004994.