Professor Paul Montgomery

Position

Professor of Psycho-Social Interventions

Telephone

(2)80325

Email

paul.montgomery@spi.ox.ac.uk

Biography

My career is focussed on furthering the understanding of what interventions are actually effective in tackling complex psycho-social problems. This requires integrating the best from a wide range of different methodologies (systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, etc), many of which have not previously been widely applied in the social sciences despite being at the top of the evidence based hierarchy.

My work encompasses a wide variety of different psycho-social problems affecting different population groups, from learning disabled children, through groups at risk of HIV to the demented elderly with sleep problems. Although all of these different populations and problems present unique methodological challenges, there are nonetheless many common elements to developing successful interventions that will then translate into effective policy and practice.

It is the challenge of pulling together these common elements that continues to drive my work. The multi-factorial nature of almost all complex psycho-social problems requires a multidisciplinary approach to their solution. The diversity of the problems that my research group have been working on has been a positive strength, because it has allowed us to develop novel methodological approaches by adapting and combining the best strategies from many different fields. 

Recently, I have been on a consulting panel for WHO looking at Guidelines on HIV Disclosure Counselling for children up to 12 years of age- http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2011/9789241502863_eng.pdf 

Currently my research interests are:

Methodology in Psycho-Social Interventions

In many important respects, psycho-social interventions are different to medical studies and the methods needed require attention. I have been developing strand of research in this area. Firstly looking at guidelines of reporting of trials - a new project is underway to provide an extension to CONSORT. Secondly, I am looking at the implementation of interventions- that is what participants actually receive in terms of delivery, uptake and context.

Gender Empowerment in Africa

In collaboration with colleagues at Green Templeton College and the Said Business School I have conducted a pilot study of a sanitary pad and menstruation education intervention in Ghana. This indicated that these interventions can recover around 9% of school days for girls and we are now launching a larger study in Uganda funded by ESRC/DFID.

Sleep problems in Older Adults

Following a connection with the University of Oxford Department of the Psychiatry of Old Age, I published a series of Cochrane Systematic Reviews to consider the efficacy of various non-pharmacological sleep treatments with an older adult population. A summary paper of this work has come out in Sleep Medicine Reviews. Some preparatory work using actigraphy to assess treatment efficacy of psychological interventions for sleep problems in this population has also been done.

Nutrition in Sleep and Psychiatric/Neurodevelopmental Disorders

I have completed a large RCT of DHA for Reading in health Oxfordshire 7-9 year olds- the DOLAB trial. This follows the well-known Oxford-Durham Trial which showed the benefits of fatty acids for reading and behaviour in children with developmental coordination disorder. Previously I have published a systematic review of essential fatty acids in bipolar disorder with Dr Alex Richardson, and have worked on a RCT of Chromium as an adjunct treatment in schizophrenia with Prof Phil Cowen.

Paul Montgomery would be willing to consider applications for doctoral students in these three areas of research:

· Methodological Issues Related to Complex Social Interventions
· Nutritional Approaches to Behaviour, Learning and Mood
· Brief Psycho-Social Interventions for Mental Health Problems (in particular sleep problems)

Publications

• Naghieh, A., Montgomery, P., Bonell, C.P., Thompson, M., Aber, J.L. (2013) Organisational interventions for improving wellbeing and reducing work-related stress in teachers (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 1. Art. No: CD010306. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010306.
• Morton, M.H. and Montgomery, P. (2013) 'Youth Empowerment Programs for Improving Adolescents' Self-Efficacy and Self-Esteem: A Systematic Review',   Research on Social Work Practice, Vol 23, pp22-33.
• Spreckelsen, T., Grant, S.P., and Montgomery, P. (2013) 'Letters: Additional requirements for complex interventions',  British Medical Journal, 345, e8003.
• Bronstein, I., Montgomery, P.  (2013) 'Sleeping Patterns of Afghan Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Adolescents: A Large Observational Study', PLoS ONE Vol. 8, No 2, e56156. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0056156.
• Yaffe, J., Montgomery, P., Hopewell, S., Shepherd, L.D. (2012) Empty Reviews: A Description and Consideration of Cochrane Systematic Reviews with No Included Studies. PLoS ONE 7(5): e36626. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036626 http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0036626
• Katherine A. Koh, Jessica S. Hoy, James J. O'Connell and Paul Montgomery (2012) 'The Hunger-Obesity Paradox: Obesity in the Homeless', Journal of Urban Health, DOI: 10.1007/s11524-012-9708-4
• Richardson, A.J., Burton, J.R., Sewell, R.P., Spreckelsen, T.F., Montgomery, P. (2012) 'Docosahexaenoic Acid for Reading, Cognition and Behaviour in Children Aged 7-9 Years: A Randomised, Controlled Trial (The DOLAB Study)' PLOS One, http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0043909
• Montgomery, P., Ryus, C.R., Dolan, C.S., Dopson, S., Scott, L.M. (2012) 'Sanitary Pad Interventions for Girls' Education in Ghana: A Pilot Study', PLoS ONE 7(10) e48274. http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0048274
• Gringas, P., Gamble, C., Jones, A.P., Wiggs, L., Williamson, P.R., Sutcliffe, A., Montgomery, P., Whitehouse, W.P., Choonara, I., Allport, T., Edmond, A., Appleton, R. (2012) 'Melatonin for sleep problems in children with neurodevelopmental disorders: randomised double masked pacebo controlled trial', BMJ 2012:e664 doi: 10.1136/bmje6664http://www.bmj.com/highwire/filestream/612881/field_highwire_article_pdf/0/bmj.e6664
• Bronstein, I., Montgomery, P., Dobrowolski, S. (2012) 'PTSD in Asylum-Seeking Male Adolescents From Afghanistan', Journal of Traumatic Stress, 25, pp551-557, doi: 10.1002/jts.21740 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jts.21740/abstract
• Spreckelsen, T.F., Grant, S.P., Montgomery, P. (2012) 'Additional requirements for complex interventions', BMJ 2012, 345,e8003 http:/www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e8003
• Appleton, R., Jones, A., Gamble, C., Williamson, P., Wiggs, L., Montgomery, P. et al (2012) 'The use of MELatonin in children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Impaired Sleep: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study (MENDS)' Health Technol Assess 2012, Vol 16, no. 40.
• Grant, S., Montgomery, P. and Mayo-Wilson, E. (2012) Development of a CONSORT extension for inerventions in public health and related disciplines, The Lancet. http://download.thelancet.com/flatcontessets/pdfs/publichealth/Public_Health_Abstracts_ALL_Part12.pdf
• Morton, M., Montgomery, P. (2011) Youth empowerment programs for improving self-efficacy and self-esteem of adolescents. Campbell Systematic Reviews, 2011.5 10.4073/csr.2011.5.  http://www.campbellcollaboration.org/library.php.
• Montgomery, P. and Lilly, J. (2011) Systematic reviews of the effects of preparatory courses on university entrance examinations in high school-age students. International Journal of Social Welfare. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.111/j.1468-2397.201.00812.x/abstract
• James, S., Montgomery, P., Williams, K. (2011) Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 3, Art. No.:CD007992. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007992. 
• Bronstein, I. and Montgomery, P.  (2011) Psychological Distress in Refugee Children: A Systematic Review.  Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 14:44-56 DOI: 10.1007/s10567-010-0081-0
• Morton, M.H. & Montgomery, P. (2011) Empowerment-based non-formal education for Arab youth: A pilot randomized trial. Children and Youth Services Review, doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.11.013
• E. Bantry White, Montgomery, P., & McShane, R. (2010) Electronic tracking for people with dementia who get lost outside the home: a study of the experience of familiar carers. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(4) 152-159.
• Kristen Underhill, DPhil; Paul Montgomery, DPhil; Don Operario, PhD (2010) Maximizing the Clinical Relevance of Sexual Abstinence-Only Program Evaluations, Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2010;164(7):679.
  http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/164/7/679
• Montgomery, P. and Shephard L.D. (2010) Insomnia in older people, Reviews in Clinical Gerontology 2010 20; 205-218, Cambridge University Press, DOI: 10.1017/S095925981000016X. http://journals/cambridge.org/repo_A786eIVU
• Bjornstad, G., Montgomery, P., Gardner, F. and Ramchandani, P. (2009) Child-focused cognitive behavioural therapy for children who have been physically abused (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD007838. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007838.
• Montgomery, P., Gardner, F., Ramchandani, P. and Bjornstad, G. (2009) Systematic reviews of interventions following physical abuse: helping practitioners and expert witnesses improve the outcomes of child abuse, https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DCSF-RBX-09-08A
• Montgomery, P. & Mayo-Wilson, E. (2009) 'Randomised Controlled Trials and Evidence-Based Practice' in Albert, R. Roberts (ed.) Social Workers' Desk Reference, pp1142-1148, Oxford University Press: Oxford.
• Felix, L.M., Montgomery, P. (2008) Self-management programme for ankylosing spondylitis. (Protocol) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD006977. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006977.
• Mayo-Wilson, E., Montgomery, P., & Dennis, J.A. (2008) Personal assistance for adults (19-64) with both physical and intellectual impairments. (Review) The Campbell Collaboration Library, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD006860. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006860.pub2.
• Mayo-Wilson, E., Montgomery, P., & Dennis, J. (2008) Personal assistance for older adults (65+) without dementia. (Review) The Campbell Collaboration Library, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD006855. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006855.pub2.
• Montgomery, P. and Richardson, A.J. (2008) Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Bi-Polar Disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD005169. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005169.pub2.
• Fisher, H., Montgomery, P. and Gardner, F.E.M. (2008) Opportunities Provision for Preventing Youth Gang Involvement For Children and Young People (7-16). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008.  Issue 2. Art. No.: CD007002. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007002.pub2.
• Fisher, H., Gardner, F.E.M and Montgomery, P. (2008) Cognitive-Behavioural Interventions For Preventing Youth Gang Involvement For Children and Young People (7-16). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008.  Issue 2. Art. No.: CD007008. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007008.pub2.
• Spoormaker, V.I., and Montgomery, P. (2008) Disturbed sleep in post-traumatic stress disorder: Secondary symptom or core feature? Sleep Medicine Reviews. 12, 169-184. DOI:10.1016/j.smrv.2007.08.008
• Austen, A., Bronstein, R., and Montgomery, P. (2008) Helping Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children. Community Care online.  http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2008/04/16/107924/helping-unaccompanied-asylum-seeking-children.html
• Austen, A., Bronstein, R., and Montgomery, P. (2008) A Novel Multi-Component Intervention for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Young People:  The Well Being Project - London Borough of Hillingdon. Community Care online.  http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2008/05/09/107933/a-novel-multi-component-intervention-for-unaccompanied-asylum-seeking-young-people-the-well-being.html
• Mayo-Wilson, E., Montgomery, P., & Dennis, J.A. (2008) Personal assistance for adults (19-64) with physical impairments. (Review) The Campbell Collaboration Library, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 3. Art.No.:CD006856. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD006856.pub2.
• Mayo-Wilson E., Montgomery, P., & Dennis, J. (2008) Personal assistance for children and adolescents (0-18) with intellectual impairments. (Review) The Campbell Collaboration Library, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD006858. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006858.pub2.
• Mayo-Wilson, E., Montgomery, P., & Dennis, J.A.  (2008) Personal assistance for children and adolescents (0-18) with both physical and intellectual impairments. (Review) The Campbell Collaboration Library, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 3. Art. No.:CD006859.DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD006859.pub2.
• Montgomery, P., Mayo-Wilson, E., & Dennis, J.A. (2008) Personal assistance for children and adolescents (0-18) with physical impairments. (Review) The Campbell Collaboration Library, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 3. Art. No.:CD006277. DOI:10.1002/14651858. CD006277.pub.2.
• Montgomery, P., Mayo-Wilson, E. (2008) Randomized Controlled Trials and Evidence-Based Practice. In Bruce Thyer (ED.), Social Workers' Desk Reference, pp 1142-1148.
• Taylor, T. L & Montgomery, P. (2007) Can Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Increase Self-Esteem Among Depressed Adolescents? A Systematic Review. Children and Youth Services Review.  29 (7), 828-839. DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2007.01.00
• Burton, J. Montgomery, P. Mayo-Wilson, E. Underhill, K & Thorgaard, C. (2007) Home Visits for Prevention of Impairment and Death in Elderly People. (Protocol). The Campbell Library (http://www.campbellcollaboration.org)
• Underhill, K., Operario, D, & Montgomery, P. (2007) Reporting deficiencies in trials of abstinence-only progammes for HIV prevention. AIDS, 21, 266-268.
• Lilly, J. and Montgomery, P. (2007) Effects of Preparatory Courses on University Entrance in High School-Aged Students The Campbell Library
• Underhill, K., Operario, D. & Montgomery, P.  (2007) Systematic Review of Abstinence-Plus HIV Prevention Programs in High-Income Countries. Plos [Public Library of Science] Medicine, 18th September 2007
• Cyhlarova, E. Montgomery, P., Ross, M.A., Richardson, A.J. (2007) Niacin skin test response in dyslexia. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids 77, 123-128
• Mayo-Wilson, E., Montgomery, P., and Dennis, J.A. (2007) The effectiveness of personal support in different populations. (Umbrella Review) Report to the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen), 17 December.
• Montgomery, P and Dunne, D. (2006) Treatment of insomnia in the elderly. Clinical Evidence, (15). BMJ Books, London
• Montgomery, P and Dunne, D. (2006) Treatment of sleep problems in children. Clinical Evidence (15). BMJ Books, London
• Donkoh, C., Underhill, K., & Montgomery, P. (2006) Independent living programmes for improving outcomes for young people leaving the care system. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD005558. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005558.pub2 (co-published in The Campbell Library 2006)
• Montgomery, Paul., Donkoh, Charles, & Underhill, Kristen. (2006) Independent living programs for young people leaving the care system: The State of The Evidence.  Children and Youth Services Review, 28, 1435-1448
• Stores, Gregory., Montgomery, Paul & Wiggs, Luci. (2006) The Psychosocial Problems of Children with Narcolepsy and those with Excessive Daytime Sleepiness of Uncertain Origin.  Pediatrics, 118; 1116-1123
• Montgomery, P., Bjornstad, G., Dennis, J. (2006) Media-based behavioural treatments for behavioural problems in children. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 1. Art.No: CD002206. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002206.pub3.
• Bjornstad, G. & Montgomery, P. (2005) 'Family therapy for attention-deficit disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents' The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD005042. DOI: 01.1002/14651858.CD005042.pub2.
• Richardson, A.J., Montgomery, P. (2005) The Oxford-Durham Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Dietary Supplementation with Fatty Acids in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder. Pediatrics 115(5): 1360-1366
• Underhill, K., Montgomery, P & Operario, D (2005) Abstinence-based programmes for HIV infection prevention in high-income countries. (Protocol) The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.Issue 3. Art.No.: CD005421
• Wiggs, L., Montgomery, P., Stores, G. (2005) Actigraphic and parent reports of sleep patterns and sleep disorders in children and subtypes of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Sleep. 28 (11). pp1437-1445
• Montgomery, P. (2005) Sleep Disorders in Elderly People. In Pathy, M.S.J., Sinclair, A. J., and Morley, J. E (eds.) Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine. Fourth Edition. John Wiley - ISBN 0-470-09055-3
• Donkoh, C & Montgomery, P. (2005) Independent living programmes for improving outcomes for young people leaving the care system. (Protocol) The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 4. Art No.: CD005558. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005558.
• Richardson, A.J. & Montgomery, P. (2005) The Oxford-Durham Study: A randomized controlled trial of dietary supplementation with fatty acids in children with developmental coordination disorder. Pediatrics, Vol. 115, issue 5, p1360-1366.
• Montgomery, P.& Dennis, J. (2004) A systematic review of non-pharmacological therapies for sleep problems in later life. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 8 (1), 47-62.
• Montgomery, P., Stores, G. & Wiggs, L. (2004) The relative efficacy of two brief treatments for sleep problems in young learning disabled (mentally retarded) children: a randomised controlled trial. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 89, 125-130.
• Montgomery, P., Wiggs,. L. & Stores, G. (2004) Sleep Disturbance In Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: An Actigraphic Study.  Journal of Sleep Research. 13, 510.
• Stores, G, Montgomery, P & L Wiggs. (2004) Psychosocial Problems In Childhood Narcolepsy. Journal of Sleep Research 13, 689.
• Wiggs L, Montgomery P, Stores G. (2004) Parent Report And Actigraphy: Sleep Patterns In Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Sleep Research. 13, 799.
• Montgomery, P, Richardson, A.J., & Ross, M.A. (2004) Omega-3 fatty acids for bipolar disorder. (Protocol) The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD005169
• Montgomery, P. & Dennis, J. (2002) Bright light therapy for sleep problems adults aged 60+. (Cochrane Review) Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2002. Oxford: Update Software
• Montgomery, P. & Dennis, J. (2002) Cognitive behavioural interventions for sleep problems in older adults. (Cochrane Review). The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2002. Oxford: Update Software
• Montgomery, P. (2002) Treatments for Sleep Problems in the Elderly. British Medical Journal. 325 (7372), 1049.
• Montgomery, P. & Dennis, J. (2002) Physiological interventions for sleep problems in older adults. (Cochrane Review) The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2002. Oxford: Update Software
• Montgomery, P. (2001) Self- help media based treatments for behaviour disorders in children. (Cochrane Review) The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2001. Oxford: Update Software
• Montgomery, P. & Stores, G. (2000) Behavioural treatment of severe sleep disorders in children with learning disability (mental retardation): A randomised controlled trial of treatment delivery methods. Journal of Sleep Research, 9, 1, 269.
• Richardson, A J.Calvin, C M. Clisby, C. Schoenheimer, C. Montgomery, P. et al (2000) Fatty acid deficiency signs predict the severity of reading and related problems in dyslexic children.  Phospholipids, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids. 1, 69-74
• Richardson, A.J..Calvin, C.M Clisby, C. Schoenheimer, D. Montgomery, P. Hall, J.A. et al (2000) 'Fatty acid deficiency signs predict the severity of reading and related problems in dyslexic children'. Phospholipids, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids 1, 69-74
• Richardson, A.J., Easton, T., McDaid, A.M., Hall, J.A., Montgomery, P., Clisby, C. and Puri, B.K. (1999) Essential fatty acids in dyslexia: theory, experimental evidence and clinical trials. in Glen, A.I.M., Peet, M. and Horrobin, D.F. (eds) Phospholipid Spectrum Disorder in Psychiatry. pp 225-242. Carnforth: Marius Press.