JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Peer support (PS) is emotional, social, and practical help that is provided by non-professionals to assist others in sustaining health behaviours. PS is valued in recovery-oriented models of mental health and is becoming implemented increasingly at the organizational level. Text messaging is a relatively low cost, high impact, and easily scalable program that uses existing technology, is devoid of geographic barriers, and is easily accessible to end users.

Objective:

This study aims to evaluate the effect of an innovative peer support system plus supportive text messaging program on the recovery of discharged patients from acute psychiatric care.

Methods:

This is a prospective, rater-blinded, pilot randomized controlled trial, including 180 patients discharged from acute psychiatric care. Patients were randomized to one of four conditions: treatment as usual (follow-up care), daily supportive text messages, peer-support only, or peer-support plus daily supportive text messages. A standardized self-report measure of recovery (Recovery Assessment Scale; RAS) was completed at baseline, six weeks, three months, and six months. Descriptive analysis, One-Way ANOVA, and repeated measures MANCOVA were deployed to examine the changes in RAS among the study groups and over the follow-up time points.

Results:

Sixty-five patients completed assessments at each time-point. For the overall sample, higher scores were found for the peer-support plus text message condition compared to the text message only and treatment as usual condition on several scales (i.e., Willingness to ask for help and Personal Confidence and Hope) and total score on the RAS.

Conclusions:

Peer support plus supportive text messaging results in improved recovery compared to other interventions. It is advisable to incorporate the two interventions as a part of routine practice for patients with psychiatric disorders upon their hospital discharge. Clinical Trial: The study received ethical approval from the Health Ethics Research Board of the University of Alberta (Ref # Pro00078427) and operational approval from the Alberta Health Services regional health authority. All patients provided written informed consent. The study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (Trial registration number NCT03404882).