Be a part of research
Please look through the studies below to find one that might suit you. Or register now to join a database for all studies that we run so we can offer you suitable studies as they come up. Once you have registered we will get in touch to explain more and help you find the right research study.
If you're a clinician referring a patient for a research study please complete the clinical referral form.
If you have any questions before you make a decision then please do contact the Research Department:
Tel: 01603 421397
Email: researchinfo@nsft.nhs.uk for further information.
If you want to be involved in research but not necessarily in a study then have a look at this page for co-production opportunities and speedy surveys - Become Involved.
DisCOVery
Age: 16 – 35
Duration: Up to 30 minutes
Location: One off online questionnaire and optional interview
This study offers an opportunity for people to share their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and enforced restrictions. It also allows people to have their say about their support needs and priorities moving forward. The study will involve completing an online survey (approx. 30 minutes) and/or an informal interview (approx. 1 hour). People will be invited to complete the survey/interview once more in approximately 6 months.
Find out more on the DisCOVery website
ASPIRE (stage 1)
Age: 8 – 14 (and staff participants of any age)
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Location: Norfolk and Suffolk – online or by telephone
The aim of the study is to co-design a new support package for families with a child who has experienced certain stressful or upsetting events, known as adverse childhood experiences. These experiences include being abused or neglected, exposure to domestic violence, living in a household with adults experiencing drug/alcohol problems or mental ill health, a member of the household being in prison, living in foster care, parental separation or divorce, bereavement, being bullied, or experiencing a serious childhood illness or injury.
We are currently looking for people from the two groups below to help us shape the new support package by speaking with us about their views on what the support package should include and how it should be delivered.
- Young people aged 8-14 who have experienced stressful or upsetting events like the ones listed above Register your interest.
- Adults with experience of working in a professional role with children and/or their families after stressful or upsetting events like the ones listed above. Please email aspire@nsft.nhs.uk.
Decrypt
Age: 8 – 17
Duration: 11 months
Visits: 4 visits
Location: Norfolk and Suffolk - online
This study aims to support children and young people who have developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For this study the PTSD must be due to more than one trauma.
Young people must be referred by a clinician.
PTSD can be very distressing, chronic and disabling in young people. It can affect academic performance, social functioning and general mental health. Its symptoms include:
- Memories of the event popping into mind
- Nightmares
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling irritable
- Problems sleeping
- Not enjoying things
- Avoiding certain places or situations
Norfolk and Suffolk: Access to food and impact on mental health survey
Age: 16 +
Duration: 5 - 10 minutes online survey
Location: Norfolk and Suffolk
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been reports that many people need additional support to regularly access and afford food.
We want to find out how many people who have mental health needs in Norfolk and Suffolk are unable to regularly access or afford food or are worried about it. This will help inform a more coordinated approach to identifying food access needs and signposting to helpful organisations.
This survey is entirely voluntary and is open to everyone over the age of 16 who may have mental health needs and/or may worry about accessing or affording food.
We do not ask any personal information in the survey, but there are some general questions about background so we can find out which groups of people are more likely to need food support.
Once we have enough responses, the survey results will be published on the Trust website – we are hoping that this will be in Summer 2021. If you have any questions about the survey, please contact researchinfo@nsft.nhs.uk
The survey can be accessed here.
OPTYC
Age: 12 – 17
Duration: Up to 38 weeks (10 weeks treatment, 28 weeks follow-up)
Visits: 3 visits
Location: Online
The aim of this study is to test an online version of therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in young people. This is called internet-delivered Cognitive Therapy (iCT). The PTSD symptoms must be related to a single trauma.
ICalm
Age: 12 – 18
Duration: 23 weeks
Visits: 3 consultations and 3-6 therapy sessions
Location: Online
ICalm is a national therapy trial for teenagers with depression. You will get counselling from youth mental health workers without core professional training.
Who can be involved?
Participants seeking help for low mood
If you are interested in learning more email: researchinfo@nsft.nhs.uk
READY
Age: 13 – 17
Duration: 6 months
Visits: 3 consultations + 24 sessions over 12 weeks
Location: Norfolk and Suffolk online
This initial study is looking at the impact group exercise and/or socialisation has on teens with mild to moderate depression. Please do consider referring young people who are struggling with feelings that can be hard to manage.
Hearing Nasty Voices
Age: 16 +
Duration: Up to 40 minutes
Visits: One off meeting
Location: Norfolk and Suffolk - online
The study aims to better understand what it is like to hear derogatory or threatening voices (DTV). The study aims to develop two questionnaires to assess:
- The degree to which patients listen and believe DTVs
- Why patients listen and believe DTVs
GLAD
Age 16 +
Duration: Up to one hour
Location: One off online questionnaire and optional test
GLAD stands for the genetic links to anxiety and depression. The study is a project set up to support research exploring risk factors for depression and/or anxiety.
The GLAD study aims to better understand depression and anxiety to find more effective treatments. It hopes to improve the lives of people experiencing these disorders.
GLAD is a national study with its own specialist website. Please remember if you found out about the study from Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust then be sure to put that when asked to ‘select the NHS trust, GP, talking therapy service or other healthcare provider’.
Register your interest on the GLAD website
PPIP2
Age: 18-70
Duration: 15 mins
Visits: One off visit and blood sample.
Location: Norfolk and Suffolk
This national study is targeting patients suffering from psychosis. It is looking to see if there is a link between having special membrane antibodies and their illness.
Who can be involved?
- those experiencing a current episode of psychosis lasting less than 2 years. This can be a first episode or relapse
- aged between 18-70 years
- willing to provide a blood sample
If you are interested in learning more email: researchinfo@nsft.nhs.uk (Norfolk and Suffolk only)
For further information visit the national website and choose Norfolk & Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
PATHFINDER
Age 51 – upwards
Duration – 12 months
Visits – 4 visits + 10 therapy sessions
Location – Norfolk – online. Therapy can be completed through video calls or over the telephone if no internet access.
The PATHFINDER trial is a talking therapy to help people with Alzheimer’s Disease and their carers. It aims to find ways to change their environment and activities to help lift their mood.
Who can be involved?
Individuals with mild to moderate dementia and depression.
Motion
Age: 60+
Duration: 49 months
Visits: 10
Location: Norfolk
A longitudinal study in a cohort aged 60 years and older to obtain mechanistic knowledge of the role of the gut microbiome during normal healthy ageing in order to develop strategies that will improve lifelong health and wellbeing. A four-year study looking at the microbiome (gut bacteria) and its effect on ageing and cognition.