Log in
Research at Sheffield has changed UK and international clinical guidelines for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and has ensured that more appropriate treatments target people who have been traumatised. The Sheffield studies revealed the limitations and ineffectiveness of a commonly adopted clinical approach reliant on psycho-education and self-help. These studies concluded, on the basis of three randomised control trials of self-help provision, that despite the provision of information being valued by patients, it had no direct effect on relieving symptoms or enhancing quality of life or functioning. These research findings have directly contributed to good practice guidance for public health, disaster management and relief, and responding to terrorism and conflict.
Research by Anke Ehlers' group at Oxford University has had major impacts on the treatment and outcome of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The group developed and validated a psychological model of the key factors that lead to PTSD. A novel form of cognitive therapy (CT) that specifically targets these psychological processes was then developed. Randomised controlled trials showed that CT is highly acceptable and highly effective in recent-onset and chronic PTSD, in adults and children. It is one of the recommended first-line interventions in the NICE PTSD guideline. It has been made widely available in the NHS through Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT), and is being disseminated in other countries. Separate research by Ehlers showed that a previously leading treatment, debriefing, was ineffective, leading to it not being recommended by NICE.
Lancaster research has changed the understanding and treatment of bipolar disorder (BD) from biological models and pharmacological treatments to integrated psychosocial interventions complementary to routine medication and matched to user needs. We have developed novel psychological interventions (individual, family and group approaches), and reliable and valid ways to assess valued outcomes and underlying mechanisms of change. This research has delivered 3 major impacts. It has: fundamentally changed understanding of the condition in professional and lay audiences; changed treatment in terms of policy and practice, including NICE clinical guidelines; changed professional training delivered both nationally and internationally.
There is strong evidence that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) plays a major role not only in preventing the recurrence of depression, but also in enhancing well-being more broadly. Much of this research was carried out at Bangor University's Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice, with a focus on non-academic impact from the outset. Between 2008-2013, the Centre has delivered MBCT courses to over 1500 members of the public. We have also trained over 1300 professionals to deliver MBCT within the NHS and other contexts, leading to several successful spin-off businesses. Finally, Centre researchers lead in the creation of UK good practice standards.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)/Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) Guidance on "Psychosocial Care for People Affected by Disasters and Major Incidents: a Model for Designing, Delivering and Managing Psychosocial Services for People Involved in Major Incidents, Conflict, Disasters and Terrorism" is a conceptual and practical resource for: developing government policy; planning services, and providing training for health and social care staff. It was informed by underpinning research conducted in Aberdeen following the 1988 Piper Alpha oil platform disaster and evidence briefings generated from a comprehensive review of the world literature. Adopted as best practice guidance by all 28 NATO Members and Partner Nations, it has had regional, national and international impact by: enabling authorities to deliver integrated psychosocial care and mental health services; enhance training; raise awareness, and facilitate the effective utilisation of resources in responding to psychosocial/mental health needs post- incident.
UK and international government and healthcare institutes have incorporated Cardiff University research findings relating to the management of intervention for individuals post-trauma into public healthcare policy, strategy and services. Results from a randomized controlled clinical trial of psychological debriefing (PD) following traumatic events delivered strong evidence against the (then) standard approach of advocating these one-off interventions post-trauma. The Cardiff findings led to the global understanding that by not providing PD post-trauma many tens of thousands would benefit, resulting in better patient care and reduced healthcare costs.
Recent NHS policy has prioritised improving access to cost-effective psychological interventions for people with mental health problems. Research by Lucock at the Centre for Health and Social Care Research (CHSCR) has contributed to meeting this challenge by developing and evaluating self-help interventions which can be provided by a range of NHS staff without professional psychotherapy or mental health training. This work has resulted in the creation of the Self-Help Access in Routine Primary Care (SHARP) initiative, a programme that gives practitioners materials and training which enable them to deliver brief self-help interventions supported by a dedicated website and a range of leaflets that recognise service users' need for easy-to-understand material. Feedback from practitioners on the website and training has been positive. There is evidence of positive impacts of the training on practitioners' confidence in their ability to deal with anxiety and depression, and in greater use of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) approaches with patients. Evidence from testimony demonstrates impact on practice. Research also provides evidence of benefit to patients in terms of reduction of anxiety and depression and goal attainment. The research has also influenced national guidance on best practice.
Research by the UoA has transformed trauma recovery for children in situations of on-going violence. Hitherto, trauma recovery was provided post-conflict. Trauma recovery programme research developed at Dundee and led by Dr. Barron has directly improved psycho-trauma assessment and intervention for over 6000 children in Palestine. The UoA has led the development of a battery of screening measures and the delivery of culture-specific programmes into counsellor practice (N=200). These changes in psycho-trauma recovery have developed throughout Gaza (N=5000 children), across the West Bank (N=1000) and into other Middle East countries (Jordan and Egypt; N=200). The research has led to the delivery of trauma recovery programmes for maltreated children in 30% of Scotland's Secure Estate (N=50).
Research at UCL developed a `screen and treat' model for dealing with mental health problems in the aftermath of disasters. This was successfully implemented after the London bombings in 2005. The strategy was shown to be very effective in detecting individuals in severe psychological need, and those screened and referred within the programme benefited substantially from evidence-based treatment. Since then, the model has been adopted in planning for major incidents in the UK and abroad. The screening instrument developed at UCL is in widespread use around the world.
Depression is a major public health problem producing substantial decrements in health and well-being, with 15% lifetime prevalence, affecting 350 million people worldwide. The Mood Disorders Centre (MDC) has improved treatment for depression by (i) understanding psychological mechanisms underpinning depression; (ii) translating this into innovative treatments and prevention interventions, evaluated in clinical trials; (iii) improving dissemination, delivery, and access to treatments. This research has improved patient care and quality of life, influenced national policy (NICE Depression Guidelines), informed national service and training provision (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies IAPT programme, with 680,000 people completing treatment 2008-2011) and achieved international impact on clinical practice.