Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG54/5

Question

Psychosocial interventions for people with more severe learning disabilities:- For people with more severe learning disabilities, what is the clinical and cost effectiveness of psychosocial interventions to treat mental health problems?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:- People with more severe learning disabilities whose communication is non-verbal are likely to need tailored interventions to address mental health problems. Research is particularly limited on mental health problems in people with more severe learning disabilities. Further research is needed into different types of interventions, such as social interactions and building resilience. This research would fill a need within mental health services, which are currently limited in their ability to provide effective interventions to this group.
Randomised controlled trials should be carried out to compare the clinical and cost effectiveness of psychosocial interventions, which may include multiple components, to prevent and treat mental health problems in people with more severe learning disabilities. Several services may need to collaborate in order to ensure sufficient sample size. Important outcomes could include:
- effect on the mental health problem
- cost effectiveness
- health-related quality of life.
When designing these trials, appropriate measures will need to be developed for mental health problems in people with more severe learning disabilities.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Mental health problems in people with learning disabilities: prevention, assessment and management

Number

NG54

Date issued

September 2016

Other details