Randomised evaluation of assertive community treatment: 3-year outcomes

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Mental Health Services Research
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• High-fidelity Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is a model of care for severe mental illness.
• The UK's Randomised Evaluation of Assertive Community Treatment (REACT) study found no advantage of ACT over usual care at 18 months.
• Limited follow-up duration may have influenced the REACT study's findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of ACT compared to usual care.
• To assess service contact, in-patient use, and adverse events at 36 months post-randomisation.

Main Methods:

• A randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing high-fidelity ACT with usual care.
• Participants were followed up for 36 months after randomisation.
• Data collected included service contact, in-patient admissions, and adverse events.

Main Results:

• Extended follow-up data at 36 months are reported.
• Analysis focuses on service contact, in-patient service use, and adverse events.
• Findings will clarify the long-term impact of ACT.

Conclusions:

• The 36-month outcomes of ACT versus usual care will be presented.
• This study extends the REACT trial's follow-up period.
• Results will inform the understanding of ACT's sustained effectiveness and patient engagement.