Understanding psychological distress in people with long-term health conditions

Testing the Reliability and Validity of a New Measure for Illness-related Distress.

King's College London · NCT06072287

This study is testing a new way to measure how much stress and worry people with long-term health conditions feel, to help improve support for them.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment600 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorKing's College London (other)
Locations1 site (London)
Trial IDNCT06072287 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to create and validate a new measure of illness-related distress specifically for individuals living with long-term health conditions such as asthma, atrial fibrillation, cancer, cerebrovascular disorders, and stroke. Participants will complete a series of standardized questionnaires, including the new Illness Related Distress Scale, to assess their psychological distress levels. The study will recruit 600-700 participants from the UK through online platforms, ensuring a diverse community sample. The findings will help tailor interventions to better support patients facing the challenges of chronic illnesses.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults over 18 years old who have a self-reported diagnosis of a long-term health condition and reside in the UK.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a long-term condition or are under 18 years old may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved mental health support for patients with long-term conditions by providing targeted interventions based on their specific distress levels.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of measuring illness-related distress is not widely tested, similar studies have shown success in validating psychological scales for chronic conditions.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Over the age of 18
* Self-reported diagnosis of a Long-Term Condition
* UK resident
* Possession of an email address to enable all study procedures
* Sufficient command of written and spoken English to understand study procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

* Under the age of 18
* Not living in the UK
* No self-reported diagnosis of an LTC
* Inability to complete questionnaires in English

Where this trial is running

London

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Asthma, Atrial Fibrillation, Cancer, Cerebrovascular Disorders, Stroke, CKD, Copd, Fibromyalgia

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.