In this exploratory validation study, we are interested in testing the psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the aDIALOG scale. The scale will be administered to 120 service users with learning disability, who will be identified from the case load of clinicians through the review of medical records, using recruitment posters or through local voluntary organisations and service user groups.

If service users are interested in taking part, a clinical studies officer or a member of the research team will contact the person to discuss the study, assess their eligibility, obtain consent and conduct assessments, either in a face-to-face meeting or remotely on Teams or Zoom. Alternatively, service users can be sent the consent form and questionnaires to complete via email or post. 

We will collect basic socio-demographic data and we will ask participants to complete the aDIALOG scale, along with additional measures. In order to assess test re-test reliability, we will ask participants to complete the aDIALOG scale again on another occasion (ideally 24 hours later but no later than 1 week). This will be carried out face-to-face, online or via telephone, , or alternatively service users can be sent the aDIALOG scale to complete again via email or post.

We are also interested in comparing the aDIALOG scale to the original DIALOG scale in people with a primary mental health diagnosis (who do not have intellectual disability). The scale will be administered to at least 200 service users with mental health issues, who will be identified from the case load of clinicians through the review of medical records, using recruitment posters or through local voluntary organisations and service user groups. 

If service users are interested in taking part, the resident trainee, a clinical studies officer or a member of the research team will contact the person to discuss the study, assess eligibility, obtain consent and conduct assessments, either in a face-to-face meeting or remotely on Teams or Zoom. Alternatively, service users can be sent the consent form and questionnaires to complete via email or post.

We will ask participants to complete the aDIALOG scale, along with the original DIALOG scale, and some demographic questions (e.g. gender, age, ethnicity, primary mental health diagnosis, how they receive their care and the number of years of treatment).

Who can take part?

For the psychometric testing study, service users will be eligible to take part if they are aged 18 or over, have mild or moderate learning disability based on service records / clinical notes, are known to community learning disability services from participating NHS trusts or to voluntary groups for people with learning disability, and can provide informed verbal or written consent. 

For the comparison testing study, service users will be eligible if they are aged between 18 and 65 years, are under the care of a community psychiatric team or currently an inpatient in a psychiatric hospital in East London NHS Foundation Trust, have a primary diagnosis of a mental health issue and can provide informed verbal or written consent. 

When is it running?

The psychometric testing study started in July 2025 and is expected to run for 17 months. The comparison testing study started in May 2026 and is expected to run for 12 months.