BOOST Group for Psychosis

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Queen's University

Disqualifiers: Neurological disease, Neurocognitive illness, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 14

Duration: 4 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help people with psychosis manage internalized stigma, which occurs when individuals believe negative stereotypes about their condition. The treatment, an 8-session program called BOOST, combines therapy techniques and peer support to enhance self-esteem and quality of life. This self-stigma intervention is particularly beneficial for those diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or another psychotic disorder. Participants should feel comfortable using a computer and phone and should not have substance abuse issues. The trial also seeks to make the program accessible online for people in rural areas. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could improve support for individuals with psychosis.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for individuals with psychosis?

Research has shown that programs like the BOOST program, which help individuals with psychosis manage self-stigma, are generally safe. One study found that group teaching significantly reduced feelings of stigma, indicating these programs are effective and manageable. Another study found that a type of talk therapy for self-stigma is promising and safe. Participants in these studies did not report any major issues. Overall, evidence suggests that these interventions are safe and can enhance self-esteem and quality of life for those with psychosis. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the BOOST Group for Psychosis because it takes a unique approach to address self-stigma in early psychosis. Unlike traditional treatments that might focus primarily on medication or individual therapy, BOOST uses an innovative group intervention over just four weeks. The program combines cognitive behavioral therapy with peer support to help participants challenge stigmas and develop social and assertiveness skills. This approach not only normalizes the experience of psychosis but also empowers participants through role-plays co-developed with people who have lived experience, offering practical skills in a supportive environment.

What evidence suggests that the BOOST intervention is effective for reducing internalized stigma in psychosis?

Research shows that programs aimed at reducing self-stigma can improve self-perception in people with psychosis. In this trial, participants will engage in the BOOST group program, which studies have found to slightly reduce feelings of self-stigma. Participants often feel more connected to others and experience fewer negative thoughts about themselves. This program employs methods like cognitive behavioral therapy and peer support to help change negative thinking. Although the improvements are small, they can positively affect recovery and quality of life. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Christopher R Bowie, PhD

Principal Investigator

Queen's University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

The BOOST trial is for young adults aged 18-35 with conditions like schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. Participants should be comfortable using computers and phones, not currently abusing substances, and able to read and speak English. Those with neurological issues, significant medical illnesses affecting brain function, physical disabilities impeding participation in the program, recent head injuries, or recent CBT treatment are excluded.

Inclusion Criteria

Must know how to use a computer and telephone

I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or a similar psychotic disorder.

Must not be abusing drugs or alcohol

Exclusion Criteria

I have a physical handicap that stops me from joining the BOOST program.

Individuals with neurological disease or neurological damage

Individuals enrolled in a cognitive behavioural therapy program in the last 6 months

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

BOOST is an 8-session group intervention delivered over 4 weeks, integrating cognitive behavioural therapy and peer support to reduce internalized stigma in early psychosis.

4 weeks

8 sessions (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in psychological factors associated with recovery, including internalized stigma, self-esteem, and depression symptoms.

12 months

Assessments at baseline, immediately post-treatment, 6 months, and 12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Self-stigma intervention

Trial Overview BOOST is a self-stigma intervention designed to reduce negative self-perceptions in individuals with psychosis. The study aims to enhance this existing program by incorporating more therapeutic techniques and virtual care options to improve its impact on self-esteem and quality of life over the long term while also reaching those in remote areas.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Internalized stigma group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

BOOST is an 8 session group intervention, delivered over 4 weeks. The program uses evidence based therapeutic techniques and integrates cognitive behavioural therapy and peer support to reduce or prevent the internalization of stigma in early psychosis. Sessions 1-4 focus on dispelling stigmatizing myths about psychosis and evaluating the accuracy of group members or societies stigmatizing beliefs in order to normalize experiences associated with and reactions to the symptoms of psychosis. Sessions 5-8 teach behavioural approaches for self-empowerment through social skills training, development of assertiveness skills, and goal setting. Role-plays that are specific to young people with psychosis, which were co-developed with people with lived experience, provide opportunities to practice these skills in session. During role plays, participants monitor stigmatizing beliefs that may interfere with communication or pursuing goals.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Queen's University

Lead Sponsor

Kingston Health Sciences Centre

Lead Sponsor

Trials

312

Recruited

112,000+

Queen's University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

382

Recruited

122,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10374014/

Rate and correlates of self-stigma in adult patients with ... Our results showed that approximately 28% of early psychosis patients exhibited moderate-to-high levels of self-stigma. Among various factors, ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016517812400547X

Reducing self-stigma in psychosis: A systematic review ... No statistically significant reduction on self-stigma but patients who participated in peer support experienced slight decreases in internalized stigma, whereas ...

3. psychiatryonline.org psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.201900296

Outcomes of Ending Self-Stigma, a Group Intervention to ... Individuals in both groups experienced significant but modest reductions in self-stigma and increases in psychological sense of belonging after ...

4. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33234053/

Outcomes of Ending Self-Stigma, a Group Intervention to ... Interventions directly targeting self-stigma and those that may address it more indirectly may be helpful in reducing internalized stigma.

5. psycnet.apa.org psycnet.apa.org/record/2026-16958-001

“Society really does not like people with psychosis”: A ... Objective: Stigma and self-stigma reduce self-esteem and increase hopelessness and suicidality. While psychotic disorders are widely recognized as the most ...

6. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1041610225003448

Review article Worldwide changes in self-stigma among ... Self-stigma within the studied age group has indeed increased from 2005 to 2023, underscoring an immediate need for intervention.

7. mdpi.com mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/8/5570

Evidence for the Effectiveness of Psychological ... Four out of the five studies found that Group Psychoeducation was effective in achieving a statistically significant reduction in internalized stigma. One study ...

8. tandfonline.com tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17522439.2015.1135184

Examining service user experiences of a Cognitive ... In conclusion, individual CT for self-stigma is a promising intervention for those who experience psychosis. Further large-scale randomised controlled trials ...

9. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/347160505_Outcomes_of_Ending_Self-Stigma_a_Group_Intervention_to_Reduce_Internalized_Stigma_Among_Individuals_With_Serious_Mental_Illness

Outcomes of Ending Self-Stigma, a Group Intervention to ... Ending Self-Stigma is a nine-session group intervention designed to teach individuals experiencing mental illness a set of tools and strategies to effectively ...