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Messages from Manchester: pilot randomised controlled trial following self-harm
Navneet Kapur1, David Gunnell, Keith Hawton
1University of Manchester, Centre for Suicide Prevention, Centre for Mental Health and Risk, Jean McFarlane Building, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL. nav.kapur@manchester.ac.uk
Summary
A pilot study on therapeutic contact following self-harm found the intervention feasible but challenging to recruit for. The intervention group showed a higher rate of repeat self-harm compared to usual care alone.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Therapeutic contact following self-harm has shown inconsistent outcomes in previous research.
- Effective interventions are needed to reduce repeat self-harm incidents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To pilot a randomized controlled trial assessing a therapeutic contact intervention for adults presenting with self-harm.
- To evaluate the feasibility of the study methodology and recruitment process.
Main Methods:
- A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted with 66 adults presenting with self-harm.
- The intervention group received an information leaflet, two phone calls, and a series of letters over 12 months.
- The control group received usual treatment alone.
Main Results:
- The study methodology was found to be feasible.
- Recruitment of participants proved to be challenging.
- The 12-month repetition rate of self-harm was higher in the intervention group (34.4%) compared to the usual treatment group (12.5%).
Conclusions:
- While the intervention's methodology was feasible, recruitment presented difficulties.
- The implemented therapeutic contact intervention was associated with an increased rate of repeat self-harm.