Download the poster - Southern Health

STructured lifestyle Education for People WIth SchizophrEnia
randomised controlled trial
(including people with experience of psychosis and a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder)
STEPWISE is a randomised controlled trial evaluating whether a group
education programme can help people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective
disorder and first episode psychosis to either maintain or reduce their weight
compared to, patients receiving usual care (control) based on NICE
recommendations. The education programme (intervention) runs for four weeks;
and, is designed for people with psychosis taking antipsychotic medication.
Participants randomised to the intervention will not be ‘taught’ in a formal way,
but rather supported by trained facilitators to discover and work out knowledge,
and will be encouraged to use this to inform the goals and plans they make for
themselves. Booster sessions and regular contact is provided over 12 months.
Why is research needed?
• Mortality rates 2-3 times higher.
• Substantial weight gain (>7%) often
• Life expectancy reduced by 10-20 years.
occurs rapidly after treatment initiation.
• 75% of all deaths caused by physical
• Research has shown, that education
illness - cardiovascular disease is the
programmes can work well for people
commonest cause of death.
with schizophrenia or psychosis in the
• Overweight and obesity contribute to this
short term. STEPWISE aims to evaluate
excess morbidity and mortality.
this over the longer term.
We will need your help in identifying potentially eligible patients who are…
• concerned about their weight or have a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (South Asian/ Chinese BMI≥23 kg/m2);
• taking antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or a first episode of
psychosis;
• over 18 years old; and,
• being seen in community services (not current inpatient).
The research team will assess the suitability of the study for all patients identified.
For further information please contact:
Charity Chakanetsa, Research Nurse
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 02380 475 258 Web: www.southernhealth.nhs.uk/research
[email protected]
The research is: approved by South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee (14/YH/0019); funded by the NIHR Health
Technology Assessment Programme (project number 12/28/05) ; and, sponsored by Sheffield Health and Social Care
NHS Foundation Trust. Central Coordination is by Sheffield Clinical Trials Research Unit .
http://www.shef.ac.uk/scharr/sections/dts/ctru/stepwise
Clinician Information; Version 2.0, 12 February 2015