SHARP

Overview

Smartphone Health Assessment for Relapse Prevention (SHARP) is an international, digital health study with the broader goal of reducing the access gap to mental health education and treatment in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), as well as low-resource settings in high-income countries. The specific aim of this observational research study is to measure the efficacy and impact of an open-source smartphone application, LAMP, in preventing relapse among individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Rationale

WHO has declared schizophrenia a priority condition for its Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP) because of the lack of available services, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Predicting and preventing relapse presents a crucial opportunity and the first step to improving outcomes and reducing the care gap for persons living with schizophrenia. Innovative approaches to predict and prevent relapse while reducing the care gap are the focus areas of this global mental health protocol. As a digital Innovative solution an open-source and customisable, LAMP mobile application dashboard will build the knowledge that mental illness is as universal as it is personal. This is a two-phased study where researchers, patients, and care providers can build on LAMP’s software to create, customize and share digital health tools that meet their needs.

Partner/s

• The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Boston, USA

• Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA 

• All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

• National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS), India