Momentum study
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Momentum study

Investigator: Professor Mario Alvarez-Jimenez 

What is Momentum?

Momentum is a new digital platform created by Orygen Digital for young people at risk of developing psychosis.

It includes: 

  • guided therapeutic journeys, tailored for each user;
  • a personal toolkit of proven strategies that people can access anytime, anywhere;
  • a safe and inspiring social network to connect with others and troubleshoot problems; and
  • a support team of online therapists, peer workers and career consultants.

The platform was co-designed with young people who have experience of mental illness and has been successfully pilot tested.

What is the Momentum study?

The Momentum study is testing whether Momentum helps young people at risk for psychosis improve their social functioning.

The Momentum study is a randomised controlled research project. There will be two groups in the study. One group will use the Momentum website and one group won’t. The results will then be compared to see if one treatment is better. During the study people in both groups will still have access to all the usual treatments available to them.

What does the study involve? 

Study participants will complete an initial screening assessment to determine whether they are eligible for the study.

If this initial assessment indicates the participant is eligible for the Momentum study, they will then complete a baseline assessment. The screening and baseline assessments will take approximately two hours but can be done over two sessions via telehealth.

Participants will then be allocated to a group. Both groups will then have three more research assessments at four, eight and 12 months. These are similar to the screening/baseline assessment and take between 1-2 hours via telehealth.

Reimbursement

Participants will be reimbursed for time taken to attend appointments ($30 per hour, up to two hours).

Eligibility

Young people aged 14–27 years who are considered at ultra-high risk for psychosis are eligible to participate in this study.

Ultra-high risk (UHR) for psychosis refers to symptoms and/or family history that put people at a higher risk than the general population for developing a psychotic disorder.

Recruitment 
Young people or their carers can contact the study team directly, or they can be referred to the study by their GP or mental health clinician or service. 

If you would like to talk to someone about the study, please contact the study coordinator, Daniela, on 0408 607 919 or [email protected]

SEP v2 HREC/2018.218