Trial Illness Management and Recovery (IMR)

Effects of IMR on patients with severe mental illness

Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) provides a structured psychosocial program which aims to contribute to manage the disabling effects of severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.
The design of this study is a randomised multi-centre, single blinded, clinical trial of IMR compared with treatment as usual for 200 outpatients with a severe and persistent mental illness (SMI) getting care in two mental health centres.

The hypotheses are that "IMR + CAU", (IMR offered in group format), compared to “CAU only” leads to:
1. Better Illness Management:
2. Better recovery:
3. Improved cost-effectiveness.

This study aims at demonstrating the effectiveness of IMR on the illness management skills and recovery of the patients.
The added value for participants on different areas of life is examined. The research can contribute to answering the question whether IMR should be a recommended intervention .

The hypotheses are that "IMR + CAU", (IMR offered in group format), compared to “CAU only” leads to:
1. Better Illness Management:
(Better scores on IMR-scales, less symptoms and relapses, better medication adherence, less alcohol & drugs use, more insight into their own problems, more social and coping skills, more social support).
2. Better recovery:
(Better general recovery, less self-perceived stigma, more self-esteem, achievement of more meaningful goals, more quality of life, more satisfaction, and better social functioning).
3. Improved cost-effectiveness.

We have planned three moments of measurement: before randomisation and 12 months and 18 months after randomisation.

IMR can be described as a structured training course which includes eleven modules, practitioner guides and handouts for participants. In the participating institutes the IMR-training is given in a group format with weekly sessions for about one year.