Feasibility Trial of a Health Behaviours Promotion Group for Youth at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis

Development of new evidence-based interventions for youth who are at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) is needed. Health behaviours and lifestyle habits such as physical activity, sleep, and substance abuse are modifiable risk factors for a variety of health outcomes. We assessed the feasibility and acceptability of a novel health behaviour-focused psychosocial intervention for youth at CHR-P.

In a non-randomized feasibility trial, youth aged 13-17 who met CHR-P criteria participated in a 9-week health behaviour promotion group that provided psychoeducation and skills training regarding stress management, sleep, physical activity, nutrition, mitigating substance use, and health behaviour goal setting. Primary outcomes included feasibility and pre-to post-intervention change in health behaviours and symptoms. The secondary outcome explored the social validity of the intervention.

Out of 18 invited participants, seven enrolled, and five completed at least two-thirds of the intervention, indicating modest feasibility and good retention in those who enrolled. There were no significant pre-post changes across measures of health behaviours or symptoms. Participants endorsed the goals of the intervention as meaningful and congruent with their treatment goals. Among those who enrolled, the group format was described as acceptable, while the didactic style was less preferred.

Findings of this study showed the intervention to be modestly acceptable and feasible. Changes in health behaviours and symptoms were not significant but trended in the expected direction. Future trials are needed to refine the intervention and assess effectiveness.

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT05532683.