The service user experience of SlowMo therapy: A co-produced thematic analysis of service users' subjective experience

TY - JOUR

T1 - The service user experience of SlowMo therapy

T2 - A co-produced thematic analysis of service users' subjective experience

AU - Greenwood, Kathryn E

AU - Gurnani, Megha

AU - Ward, Tom

AU - Vogel, Evelin

AU - Vella, Claire

AU - McGourty, Alison

AU - Robertson, Sam

AU - Sacadura, Catarina

AU - Hardy, Amy

AU - Rus-Calafell, Mar

AU - Collett, Nicola

AU - Emsley, Richard

AU - Freeman, Daniel

AU - Fowler, David

AU - Kuipers, Elizabeth

AU - Bebbington, Paul

AU - Dunn, Graham

AU - Michelson, Daniel

AU - Garety, Philippa

AU - SlowMo Patient, Public Involvement (PPI) team

N1 - Funding Information: This project (15/48/21) is funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme, a Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research partnership. The Patient and Public Involvement team members who have given permission to use their names were Alice Hicks, Angie, Dan, Amy, Helen, and Natalie (First names only), and [pseudonyms] Anthony and Alex. One PPI team member sadly died in the course of the study; she made an important early contribution, and provided intelligence, kindness, and wisdom. We would like to acknowledge the contribution of the additional research workers on the trial: Ujala Ilyas, Elâ Örücü, Valerija Lvova, Phoebe Marple-Horvat, Rikesh Halkoree, Eva Tolmeijer, Vicci Smallman, Anna East, Catherine Belton, and Michaela Rea; and the clinical teams in South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for their support. Funding Information: This project (15/48/21) is funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme, a Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health Research partnership. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The British Psychological Society.

PY - 2022/9

Y1 - 2022/9

N2 - OBJECTIVES: SlowMo is the first blended digital therapy for paranoia, showing significant small-moderate reductions in paranoia in a recent large-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT). This study explored the subjective service-user experience of the SlowMo therapy content and design; the experience of the blended therapy approach, including the triangle of the therapeutic alliance; and the experience of the digital aspects of the intervention.DESIGN: Qualitative co-produced sub-study of an RCT.METHODS: Participants were 22 adult service users with schizophrenia-spectrum psychosis and persistent distressing paranoia, who completed at least one SlowMo therapy session and a 24-week follow-up, at one of 3 sites in Oxford, London, and Sussex, UK. They were interviewed by peer researchers, using a topic guide co-produced by the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) team. The transcribed data were analysed thematically. Multiple coding and triangulation, and lay peer researcher validation were used to reach a consensus on the final theme structure.RESULTS: Six core themes were identified: (i) starting the SlowMo journey; (ii) the central role of the supportive therapist; (iii) slowing things down; (iv) value and learning from social connections; (v) approaches and challenges of technology; and (vi) improvements in paranoia and well-being.CONCLUSIONS: For these service users, slowing down for a moment was helpful, and integrated into thinking over time. Learning from social connections reflected reduced isolation, and enhanced learning through videos, vignettes, and peers. The central role of the supportive therapist and the triangle of alliance between service user, therapist, and digital platform were effective in promoting positive therapeutic outcomes.

AB - OBJECTIVES: SlowMo is the first blended digital therapy for paranoia, showing significant small-moderate reductions in paranoia in a recent large-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT). This study explored the subjective service-user experience of the SlowMo therapy content and design; the experience of the blended therapy approach, including the triangle of the therapeutic alliance; and the experience of the digital aspects of the intervention.DESIGN: Qualitative co-produced sub-study of an RCT.METHODS: Participants were 22 adult service users with schizophrenia-spectrum psychosis and persistent distressing paranoia, who completed at least one SlowMo therapy session and a 24-week follow-up, at one of 3 sites in Oxford, London, and Sussex, UK. They were interviewed by peer researchers, using a topic guide co-produced by the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) team. The transcribed data were analysed thematically. Multiple coding and triangulation, and lay peer researcher validation were used to reach a consensus on the final theme structure.RESULTS: Six core themes were identified: (i) starting the SlowMo journey; (ii) the central role of the supportive therapist; (iii) slowing things down; (iv) value and learning from social connections; (v) approaches and challenges of technology; and (vi) improvements in paranoia and well-being.CONCLUSIONS: For these service users, slowing down for a moment was helpful, and integrated into thinking over time. Learning from social connections reflected reduced isolation, and enhanced learning through videos, vignettes, and peers. The central role of the supportive therapist and the triangle of alliance between service user, therapist, and digital platform were effective in promoting positive therapeutic outcomes.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85133502965

U2 - 10.1111/papt.12393

DO - 10.1111/papt.12393

M3 - Article

C2 - 35445520

SN - 1476-0835

VL - 95

SP - 680

EP - 700

JO - Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice

JF - Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice

IS - 3

ER -