Randomized controlled trial for the Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP): An independent non-replication study

Following the call for rigorous replication practices in crisis intervention and suicide prevention research, this study re-evaluated the efficacy of a brief intervention (ASSIP - Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program) for patients with a recent suicide attempt in reducing repeated suicidal behavior. In this open-label, randomized, controlled parallel-group trial, 92 patients were assigned to treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU plus ASSIP. The primary outcome was suicidal behavior (suicide attempts and suicide deaths) during a 12-month observation period. Secondary outcomes included the number of suicide attempts and psychiatric inpatient admissions. Twelve patients in the intervention group and six patients in the control group engaged in suicidal behavior, including one suicide death in each group. The intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis found no significant effect of ASSIP in reducing suicidal behavior or admission to psychiatric hospitals. Surprisingly, the per-protocol (PP) analysis revealed a significantly higher incidence rate of suicide re-attempts in the intervention group. Contrary to the original findings, this non-replication study suggests that ASSIP combined with TAU does not significantly reduce suicidal behavior compared to TAU alone. Further research is needed to refine indications for ASSIP therapy and enhance its effectiveness.