CompletedInterventional

Tailoring evidence-based therapy for people with a common mental disorder (including psychotic experiences)

Some people who use NHS talking therapies (formerly known as IAPT) for anxiety and depression also experience distressing thoughts or hear and see things others do not. These are known as psychotic experiences, and they can make recovery harder. This study, called TYPPEX, investigates whether giving Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) therapists extra specialist training and supervision helps their patients get better results. Researchers are working with NHS talking therapy teams in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Sussex. Teams continue offering care as usual, and at different times, therapists receive the new training. Researchers will look at anonymised routine clinic notes to compare how patients progress before and after the training. Some patients may also be invited to fill in questionnaires or talk about their experiences. The goal is to improve standard NHS mental health care for the future.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

938

Start

30 Sep 2020

Estimated completion

30 Apr 2024

Mental health

What is this study about?

Common mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression affect millions of people across the UK. Many people turn to standard NHS talking therapies (previously known as IAPT) for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). However, research shows that some people who attend these services also have unusual or distressing experiences, like hearing sounds or voices that others cannot hear, or feeling very paranoid. These are often called psychotic experiences, and people who have them often find it harder to make a full recovery with standard therapy alone.

The TYPPEX study aims to find out if giving qualified CBT therapists extra training and regular expert supervision can change this. The training teaches therapists how to adapt standard CBT so it works better for people dealing with both anxiety or depression and these unusual experiences.

Instead of changing what patients are asked to do directly, this trial focuses on training NHS clinical teams. Participating NHS services in the East of England and Sussex are taking part. Over time, therapist teams are randomly chosen to receive the training. Researchers will then look at routine clinical results to see if patients who receive therapy after their therapist was trained recover more quickly and stay well for longer.

Key takeaways

Tests specialist training for NHS CBT therapists to help people with anxiety, depression, and unusual experiences.
Open to adults aged 17 and over who are already accessing participating NHS talking therapy services.
Does not involve any new medicines, medical procedures, or extra clinic visits.
Uses de-identified, routine clinic records to see if the training improves patient recovery.
Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Who may be eligible?

This study involves both NHS talking therapy staff and members of the public using these services. For patients, you may be included if you are aged 17 or over and have been accepted for CBT treatment through an NHS talking therapies team taking part in the study (located in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk, Suffolk, or Sussex).

As part of standard care, patients fill out a brief survey asking about unusual thoughts or experiences (called the CAPE questionnaire). If your answers show that you have some of these experiences alongside your anxiety or depression, your anonymised therapy notes may be included in the research.

You would not be eligible to take part if your mental health needs mean you require specialist secondary mental health services (often called Step 4 care or crisis support) rather than standard NHS primary care talking therapies.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

You are aged 17 or older.
You are receiving or accepted for CBT with a participating NHS talking therapies team.
You experience anxiety or depression alongside unusual thoughts or sensory experiences (like hearing sounds others cannot).
Your care is managed within standard talking therapies, not secondary mental health crisis teams.
You can understand and complete basic questionnaires in English.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part does not involve any extra clinic visits, new medications, or changes to how often you see your therapist. You will receive your planned course of CBT as usual through your local NHS service.

For most people, taking part simply means allowing the study team to look at routine, de-identified information from your therapy notes. Your personal details, such as your name and address, are completely removed so no one can identify you.

Some people will also be invited to complete short research questionnaires about their quality of life and use of healthcare services. A small number of patients and therapists may also be asked if they would like to do an interview to share their personal views about their therapy. You are entirely free to say no to these extra questionnaires or interviews, and your choice will never affect your usual NHS care.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study is very safe, and researchers do not expect any harm from participating because it does not change your routine therapy or introduce any medical procedures. While taking part might not directly change your own treatment outcome, your information helps researchers understand how to improve NHS mental health services for others in the future. You always have the right to withdraw from the study questionnaires or interviews at any time without giving a reason, and deciding not to take part will never alter the care or support you receive from the NHS.

Locations (3)

Fulbourn Hospital
Unverified
Cambridge, England
Hellesdon Hospital
Unverified
Norwich, England
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Unverified
Worthing, England

Common questions

Will taking part change the therapy I receive?

No. You will still receive standard Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) through your local NHS service. The trial simply provides therapists with extra training to help them support you better.

Do I have to take any medication for this study?

No. This is not a drug trial. It only looks at talking therapy and training packages for therapists.

Will researchers see my private personal details?

No. Researchers only look at de-identified records. This means all personal information, such as your name and contact details, is removed before researchers look at the data.

What if I do not want to fill out extra questionnaires?

You can decline to answer research questionnaires or take part in interviews. Saying no will not affect your relationship with your therapist or your NHS care in any way.

Where is the trial taking place?

The trial is running in NHS talking therapy services within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trusts.

How to find out more

Polly Ashford

P.Ashford@uea.ac.uk +44 (0)1603 597666 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.