@article{ref1,
title="Imaginator: a proof-of-concept feasibility trial of a brief imagery-based psychological intervention for young people who self-harm",
journal="Suicide and life-threatening behavior",
year="2020",
author="Di Simplicio, Martina and Appiah-Kusi, Elizabeth and Wilkinson, Paul and Watson, Peter and Meiser-Stedman, Caroline and Kavanagh, David J. and Holmes, Emily A.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: The Imaginator study tested the feasibility of a short mental imagery-based psychological intervention for young people who self-harm and used a stepped-wedge design to investigate effects on self-harm frequency reduction at 3 and 6 months. <br><br>METHOD: A total of 38 participants aged 16-25 were recruited via community self-referral and mental health services. Participants were randomized to immediate delivery of Functional Imagery Training (FIT) or usual care followed by delayed delivery after 3 months. FIT comprised two face-to-face sessions, five phone sessions, and use of a smartphone app. Outcomes' assessment was blind to allocation. <br><br>RESULTS: Three quarters of those who began treatment completed face-to-face sessions, and 57% completed five or more sessions in total. Self-harm frequency data were obtained on 76% of the sample at 3 months (primary outcome) and 63% at 6 months. FIT produced moderate reductions in self-harm frequency at 3 months after immediate (d = 0.65) and delayed delivery (d = 0.75). The Immediate FIT group maintained improvements from 3 to 6 months (d = 0.05). Participants receiving usual care also reduced self-harm (d = 0.47). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: A brief mental imagery-based psychological intervention targeting self-harm in young people is feasible and may comprise a novel transdiagnostic treatment for self-harm.<br><br>© 2020 The American Association of Suicidology.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0363-0234",
doi="10.1111/sltb.12620",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/sltb.12620"
}