Research priorities for mental health and circadian science: a priority setting partnership of individuals with lived experience, carers, clinicians and researchers

Background Undisturbed circadian rhythms of rest/activity are crucial to health and well-being. There is growing evidence to suggest that circadian rhythm disruptions are also associated with adverse mental health outcomes (and vice versa), but important questions about the relationship between circadian rhythms and mental health remain unanswered.

Objective To determine future priorities for research in the area of mental health and circadian rhythms, a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership exercise in collaboration with a steering group comprising individuals with lived experience, carers and clinicians was undertaken.

Methods An initial survey among UK residents provided a set of 964 questions supplied by 247 respondents (227 lived experience, 44 carers (including 40 carers with lived experience), 41 clinicians (including 37 clinicians with lived experience)). Responses were processed into 171 summary questions by the steering group. Reviews of published research and existing clinical guidelines reduced this to 63 unanswered summary questions. A ranking survey of these 63 questions asked respondents to select their 10 most important research questions, from which the most highly ranked would be taken to the final stage. This was completed by 222 respondents (200 lived experience, 33 carers (including 29 carers with lived experience), 38 clinicians (including 30 clinicians with lived experience)).

Findings In a final face-to-face workshop, 19 individuals, including individuals with lived experience, carers and clinicians, discussed and ranked a list of questions to produce a ranking of the top 25 research questions/priorities, with a particular focus on the Top 10.

Discussion The final research questions are presented to inform researchers and funding bodies when setting future research priorities across the fields of mental health and circadian rhythms.

Clinical implications Addressing the priorities identified here should lead to greater understanding of the relationships between mental health and circadian rhythms and will have longer-term impacts on research, healthcare innovation and public health policy.