(a) Scientific basis
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychiatric condition with the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness. Depression has been identified as a main factor leading to the chronicity of AN. Recent research has highlighted the importance of sleep, fatigue and problems with memory and attentional capacity in both conditions.
The project involves a systematic literature search and meta-analysis, focus groups to learn about sleep and fatigue in people with lived experience of AN and help with the conduct and data evaluation of a feasibility RCT (EDEN) in 60 patients with anorexia nervosa and depression. The potential PhD student will evaluate data on fatigue and sleep during the treatment with ketamine and at follow-up time points at 3 months and 6 months. They will also design and conduct a longitudinal study examining cognitive performance (memory, attention, visuospatial abilities) and sleep and fatigue in people with AN.
(b) Techniques and skills the student will develop
– Skills in reviewing scientific literature (e.g., database searches, systematic literature review, quality assessment, literature synthesis).
– Recruitment of participants for qualitative and quantitative studies.
– Qualitative research skills (e.g., the facilitation of focus groups, coding, different strategies of qualitative analysis).
– Quantitative data analysis.
– Research and trial design.
(c) Overarching aims of the project
– To explore the experiences of people with AN and depression about the importance of behavioural activation, cognition, sleep and fatigue.
– To evaluate data from a feasibility RCT on cognitive performance, sleep and fatigue.
– To design and implement a longitudinal study exploring cognition, sleep and fatigue in people with AN.
(d) Measurable objectives for each year
– Year 1: Systematic review/meta-analysis of sleep- and fatigue-related parameters in AN; obtaining ethical approval. Help with recruitment, screening and conduct of the feasibility RCT.
– Year 2: Facilitation of the focus groups, coding, qualitative evaluation of the focus groups and data collection for the new longitudinal study.
– Year 3: Continuation of data collection for the new cross-sectional study. Data analysis of feasibility RCT outcomes.
– Year 4: Data analysis of the cross-sectional study outcomes; publication of manuscripts; thesis write-up.
For a 3-year programme, the project can be modified by changing the longitudinal to cross-sectional study design. In general, this project can be adapted according to the successful candidate’s preferences.
(e) 3-month rotation project
The PhD candidate will be offered rotate into SlaM’s clinical service for people with AN and perform an audit or quality improvement project related to sleep (e.g., on sleep hygiene or sleep medication).