Pilot evaluation of an educational and lived experience training program on ketogenic metabolic therapy in mental health care for health care professionals

Background Serious mental illness imposes a substantial burden. Pharmacologic treatments remain only partially effective and are associated with significant side effects, highlighting the need for novel treatment approaches. Ketogenic metabolic therapy (KMT) is emerging as an intervention for serious mental illness, with a growing evidence base and strong patient interest. A critical barrier to KMT implementation is the lack of health care professional (HCP) competence and readiness to discuss KMT with patients with serious mental illness. Existing training does not adequately address HCP competence in presenting KMT as a treatment option. This study describes the pilot-testing of “Live It, Launch It” (LI-LI), the first KMT training program designed to build self-reported competence to discuss KMT in psychiatric care for HCPs. Methods LI-LI combines a 4-hour asynchronous educational course on KMT with a 4-week experiential group KMT intervention during which participants adhered to a ketogenic diet. LI-LI aimed to improve self-reported competence to utilize KMT and perceived ability to engage in shared decision-making with patients about incorporating KMT into their treatment plan. Results Forty HCPs participated in the education course: 10 psychiatrists, 10 psychiatric pharmacists, 8 psychologists/therapists, and 12 other HCPs (e.g., nurse practitioners, physician assistants). Twenty-five initiated the diet intervention. Baseline competence scores (visual analog scale 0-100) were low, M(SE) = 17.40 (2.68), increasing to M(SE) = 68.08 (2.47) after education (d = 2.88, p <0.0001), and to M(SE) = 86.62 (1.82) post-diet (d = 1.08), with a very large whole-study effect (d = 3.49, p < 0.0001). Shared decision-making scores at baseline were M(SE) = 53.64 (2.89), increasing to M(SE) = 83.35 (1.83) after the educational course (d = 1.74, p <0.0001), and to M(SE) = 91.23 (2.05) after the diet phase (d = 0.73, p = 0.009), with a very large whole-study effect (d = 2.53, p < 0.0001). Feedback indicated that lived experience with KMT was helpful for implementation-readiness. Discussion The educational course on KMT was associated with increased self-reported competence and perceived shared decision-making in HCPs, and this was enhanced with combined education and lived experience. Implementation of this approach could accelerate KMT into clinical care. Results should be interpreted with caution as this was a small uncontrolled study with self-reported main outcomes. Clinical trial registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07116226 , identifier NCT07116226.