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Nobel Laureate Abel Laureate Advisory Board Member USERN President USERN Policy Making Council USERN Manager USERN Deputy Junior Ambassador

Major: Psychiatry/Psychology

Field: Diagnosis and treatment

Dr. Joseph Firth

Present appointment(s): UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, University of Manchester Honorary Fellow, Western Sydney University Honorary Research Fellow, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust  Address: 3.305 Jean Macfarlane, Oxford Road, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL Telephone number: +44 7724 458525 Email address: Joseph.firth@manchester.ac.uk

Education:
PhD Medicine- University of Manchester (2013 - 2017):  I completed this PhD after being awarded a prestigious Doctoral Training Fellowship from the MRC; covering personal stipend and all research funding. I published over 50 peer-reviewed articles during the PhD, including multiple clinical studies, and submitted my thesis 6 months ahead of schedule.
BSc (1st Hons) Psychology- The University of Sheffield (2009-2012): During my BSc, I designed a novel RCT, recruited over 100 participants to the trial, and received a national award from the British Psychological Society for this project. I also received a separate letter of commendation from the University for achieving the highest scores on record for the BSc Psychology course.
Awards:
2021 Clarivate™ Highly Cited Researcher in Psychology & Psychiatry Awarded by Clarivate (Thomson Reuters) for producing highly-cited research ranking in the top 1% for citations by field in the Web of Science
 
Top 10 ‘World Expert’ in Field of “Exercise”, 2021 Recognized by ExpertScape academic ranking platform for ranking in the Top 10 Exercise researchers (out of 345,000 individuals in total) worldwide for research outputs
 
2020 Clarivate™ Highly Cited Researcher in Psychology & Psychiatry Awarded by Clarivate (Thomson Reuters) for producing highly-cited research ranking in the top 1% for citations by field in the Web of Science
 
Top 40 ‘Rising Researcher’ in Australia, 2019 Winner of an annual “Rising Researcher” award from The Australian, for ranking among the top 40 top-cited Early Career Researchers in the country across all fields, and ranking within the top 5 within my specific field (Medical and Health Sciences)
 
Best Presentation Award - International Festival of Public Health 2019 Awarded by the International Festival of Public Health in July, 2019, for my presentation on the public health implications of our Lancet Psychiatry Commission on protecting physical health in people with mental illness
 
Elsevier Atlas Award – February 2019 Of the thousands of articles published across all of the Elsevier journals each month, just one of these (identified as particularly important and impactful for global health), is selected for Atlas Award. Our article on sedentary behaviour and depression in low-income countries won the Elsevier Atlas Award for February 2019
 
‘Research Article of Year’ Award 2018 – NICM Health Research Institute This was awarded by my institute for my 2018 research article in JAMA Psychiatry on the relationships between muscular function and cognitive performance in people with psychiatric disorders
 
Highly Commended Early Career Researcher 2018 – WSU Vice Chancellor Awards This was awarded by Western Sydney University on the basis of standout performance as an Early Career Researcher over the year of 2018 – specifically for publishing over 40 academic articles during the course of the year.
 
Schizophrenia International Research Society –Researcher Travel Award: This ECR award was provided to cover travel expenses and attendance fees for the SIRS bi-annual conference, in Florence, Italy (April 2018), where I presented my recent paper on nutritional deficiencies in young adults with early psychosis.
Manchester Doctoral Academy Outstanding Research Output Award (2017) The School of Health Sciences’ annual prize for top Doctoral Research Output was awarded to a research article I co-authored with a fellow doctoral researcher; published in Neurology in 2016.
President’s Doctoral Scholarship Award (2013) The University of Manchester’s flagship funding scheme “given to the most outstanding students to support research training across a full range of subjects.”
University of Sheffield Special Commendation (2012)Unique commendation awarded by the University of Sheffield upon graduation “in recognition of unique performance in undergraduate studies” (having obtained the highest set of grades recorded for the course), and been the only student ever to have achieved first-class marks in every single module). 
British Psychological Society (BPS) Undergraduate Award (2012) Awarded to the top scoring undergraduate student in Psychology across each of the BPS accredited Universities.
 
Funding and Grants: 


UK Research & Innovation - Future Leaders Fellowship (Principle Investigator)£1,138,674 October 2020 – October 2024
Using Digital Technologies for Health Promotion in Young People with Mental Illness
 
Schizophrenia International Research Society - Research Harmonisation Group (Co-Investigator)
$5000 July 2021 – July 2022
Developing a comprehensive procedure for reporting adverse events in digital psychosis studies
 
Closing the Gap Kickstarter Fund – Co-Investigator
£22,338 January 2021 – December 2022
Evaluation and exploration of barriers and facilitators to the detection and treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea in people with severe mental illness.
 
Closing the Gap Collaboration Fund –Principal Investigator (Joint)
£2,000 August 2020 – August 2021
Examining and Implementing ‘whole systems’ approaches to physical activity for aiding mental health recovery.
 
University of Manchester – Presidential Fellowship (Sole Recipient)
£234,204 – Jan 2020 – Dec 2023 Awarded from The University of Manchester, supporting up to 4-years of salary and £40,000 research costs to conduct clinical and epidemiological research towards the development and implementation of physical health interventions for young people with mental illness disorders.
 
NICM- Blackmores Institute –  Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (Sole Recipient)$300,000 – June 2017 – June 2020 Awarded from NICM, Western Sydney University, supporting 3-years of salary and $70,000 AUD research costs to conduct clinical and epidemiological research towards the development and evaluation of physical health interventions young people with severe mental illness.
 
City of Melton – Semi-Annual Community Project Grant (Co-Investigator) $7,079 – May 2018 – May 2020 Awarded by the City of Melton for our community exercise referral scheme for young people with mental health issues (Youth Take Charge!), to support the development of the scheme (initially rolled out in Sydney) and expansion into the city of Melton (VIC, Australia)
 
Schizophrenia International Research Society – Early Career Researcher Award (Sole Recipient) £1500  - January 2018 This ECR award was provided to cover travel expenses and attendance fees for the SIRS bi-annual conference, in Florence, Italy (April 2018), where I presented my recent paper on nutritional deficiencies in young adults with early psychosis.
 
MRC Doctoral Training Scholarship (Sole Recipient)  £71,000 - October 2013-2017 Awarded by the MRC and the University of Manchester to cover tuition fees and personal stipend for the duration of my 4-year PhD research project ‘Investigating the Benefits of Exercise in Early Psychosis’.
 
 
MRC Research Training Support Grant (Sole Recipient)  £14,200 - October 2013-2017   This discretionary funding was awarded alongside my PhD scholar in order to provide further support to the research project and my doctoral training. I have used this to conduct additional research projects, disseminate my findings through presenting at international conferences and attend external training courses to further my development as an independent researcher.
 
University of Manchester President’s Doctoral Scholar Bursary (Sole Recipient) £4,000 - October 2013-2017 Upon accepting my doctoral training scholarship, I also received an additional personal bursary, which is awarded by the University to enhance the stipend of promising PhD students.
 
MRC Supplementary Postdoctoral Transition Grant (Sole Recipient)£4,395 - April 2017 The MRC/UoM Doctoral Training Partnership provide discretionary funding for exceptional PhD students approaching the end of their program  to gain further skills supporting their transition to first postdoc positions. I created an application to expand my skillset from exercise/physical activity interventions to learn more about nutritional and dietary interventions in psychotic disorders through a placement with external collaborators, and was awarded £4,395 to pursue this opportunity by the funding council.
 
Research Design Service North-West Patient and Public Involvement Bursary (Sole Recipient) £340- November 2016 To inform the development of my Fellowship proposals, I applied for a RDS-NW PPI bursary. This was used to conduct one-to-one interviews with young people with psychosis, discussing their opinions and ideas on health supplements in psychosis treatment.
 
MRC Supplementary Overseas Research Grant (Sole Recipient) £3,455  - June 2016 Having completed the planned fieldwork for my PhD 12-months ahead of schedule, I applied for a supplementary MRC overseas fieldwork grant to expand my research, aiming to examining the use of mobile-health platforms for improving outcomes in mental disorders. I conceived of the project, arranged overseas collaborators, developed the rationale and application, and was successful in obtaining the funding.
 
British Interactive Group – Travel Grant (Sole Recipient) £100  - December 2015 This bursary covered travel expenses and attendance fees of a STEM Communicators Network conference, awarded to a select number of applicants on the basis of previous public engagement endeavors. 
 
University of Manchester - Widening Participation Fellowship (Sole Recipient)  £1,250 - October 2014-2015 I applied for this 1 year part-time role to undertake paid public engagement work during my PhD studies, and was awarded £1,250 in personal funding to lead on the development and delivery of 100 hours of academic enrichment events for primary schools, high schools and aspiring university students.
 
Research Outputs
Four-year Research Summary (2014 – 2018)
Over the last 4 years, I have published over 200 articles in leading research journals; over  50 of which I am first author. As of March 2022, I have a h-index of 60 and over 17,000 citations. This body of work includes multiple research articles in the most prestigious medical journals, such as 4 separate first-author papers in World Psychiatry (the world’s top psychiatric journal, Impact Factor = 49.6), a further 5 first-author articles in the world’s highest-impact schizophrenia journal, Schizophrenia Bulletin (Impact Factor = 7.8), 3 first-authors in Psychological Medicine (Impact Factor= 5.5),  and other first authored papers in The Lancet Psychiatry (Impact Factor =18.1), JAMA Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 16.3), NeuroImage (Impact Factor =6.4) and The British Journal of Pharmacology (Impact Factor =  5.3). Additionally, I have multiple co-authored publications in top medical journals such as Neurology (Impact Factor = 8.3), American Journal of Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 14.2), Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (Impact Factor = 8.5), and Biological Psychiatry (Impact Factor=11.8).

Accepted manuscripts and Published articles:
2022
Firth J, Wootton RE, Sawyer C, Taylor G. (2022). Clearing the air: clarifying the causal role of smoking in mental illness. World Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 49.5), in press.
Hassan L, Sawyer C, Peek N, …, & Firth J. (2022). COVID-19 vaccination uptake in people with severe mental illness: a UK-based cohort study. World Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 49.5), in press.
Teasdale S, Müller-Stierlin AS, …, & Firth J. (2022). Prevalence of food insecurity in people with major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and related psychoses: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition (Impact Factor = 11.2), in press.
Hassan L, Peek N, Lovell K, …, & Firth J. (2022). Disparities in COVID-19 infection, hospitalisation and death in people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder: a cohort study of the UK Biobank. Molecular Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 16.0), in press.
Espie C, Firth J, Torous J. (2022). Evidence-informed is not enough: digital therapeutics also need to be evidence-based. World Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 49.5), in press.
McKeon G, Papadopoulos E, Firth J, et al. (2022).  Social Media Interventions Targeting Exercise and Diet Behaviours in People with Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs): A Systematic Review. Internet Interventions, in press.
Tomlinson-Perez S, Machaczek K, Firth J, et al. (2022). Evaluation of the Uptake, Retention and Effectiveness of Exercise Referral Schemes for the Management of Mental Health Conditions in Primary Care: A Systematic Review. BMC Public Health, in press.
Metri J, Ee C, Wardle J,…, Firth J, et al. (2022). Assessing Dietary, Exercise, and Non-Pharmacological Modalities within Psychiatric Hospitals. General Hospital Psychiatry, in press.
Luna L, Radua J, Fortea L…, Firth J, et al. (2022). A systematic review and meta-analysis of structural and functional brain alterations in individuals with genetic and clinical high-risk for psychosis and bipolar disorder. Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, in press.
 
2021
Torous J, Bucci S, Bell I, Kessing LV, Faurholt-Jepsen M, Whelan P, Carvalho AF, Matcheri Keshavan M, Linardon L, & Firth J. (2021). The growing field of digital psychiatry: current evidence and the future of apps, social media, chatbots, and virtual reality. World Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 49.5), in press.
Vancampfort D, Stubbs B, Van Damme T, Smith L, Hallgren M, Schuch F, Deenik J, Rosenbaum S, Ashdown-Franks G, Mugisha J, & Firth J. (2021). The efficacy of meditation-based mind-body interventions for mental disorders: A meta-review of 17 meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 134; 181-191.
Firth JA, Torous J, & Firth J. (2021). Exploring the impact of internet use on memory and attention processes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, doi: 10.3390/ijerph17249481
Carney R & Firth J. (2021). Exercise interventions in child and adolescent mental healthcare: an overview of the evidence and recommendations for implementation. JCPP Advances, in press.
Vancampfort D, Firth J, Smith L, Stubbs B, Rosenbaum S, et al. (2021). Association between physical activity and leisure-time sedentary behavior among 140,808 adolescents aged 12 to 15 from 47 low- and middle-income countries. Public Health, in press.
Onyeaka H, Firth J, Kessler R, Lovell K, Torous J. Use of Smartphones, Mobile apps and Wearables for Health Promotion by People with Common Mental Disorders: An analysis of a nationally representative survey data. Psychiatry Research, in press.
Carney R, Firth J, Pedley R, Law H, et al. (2021). The clinical and behavioral cardiometabolic risk of children and young people on mental health inpatient units: a systematic review and meta-analysis. General Hospital Psychiatry, in press.
Onyeaka H, Firth J, Enemuo V, Muoghalu C, Naslund J, Baiden P, Torous J. (2021). Exploring the Association between Electronic Wearable Device Use and Levels of Physical Activity among Individuals with Depression and Anxiety: A Population level Study. Frontiers in Digital Health, in press.
Solmi M, Fiedorowicz J, Poddighe L,…Firth J, et al. (2021). Disparities in screening, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in patients with mental disorders across the world: systematic review and meta-analysis of 46 observational studies. The American Journal of Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 14.12), in press.
Martland R, Korman N, Firth J, Vancampfort D, Thompson T, Stubbs B. Can high intensity interval training improve mental health outcomes in the general population and those with physical illnesses? A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine (Impact Factor = 12.68), in press.
Zhang X, Lewis S, Firth J, Bucci S. (2021). Digital mental health in China: a systematic review. Psychological Medicine (Impact Factor = 6.1), in press.
Tavares D, Galvão-Coelho NL, Firth J, et al. (2021). Reliability and convergent validity of self-reported physical activity questionnaires for people with mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, in press.
Vancampfort D, Schuch FB, Van Damme T, Firth J, Suetani S, Stubbs B, Van Biesen D. (2021). Prevalence of diabetes in people with intellectual disabilities and age- and gender matched controls: a meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, in press.
Bourke M, Patten R, Dash S…, Firth J, et al. (2021). The effect of interventions that target multiple modifiable health behaviours on symptoms of anxiety and depression in young people: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Journal of Adolescent Health, in press.
Solmi M, Estradé A, Agorastos A…, Firth J, et al. (2021). The Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times in Adults (COH-FIT-Adults): Design and methods of an international online survey targeting physical and mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Affective Disorders, in press.
Trott M, Johnstone J, Firth J, et al. (2021). Prevalence and correlates of body dysmorphic disorder in health club users in the presence vs absence of eating disorder symptomology. Eating & Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, in press.
Vancampfort D,  Van-Damme T, Firth J, et al. (2021). Physical activity correlates in children, adolescents, adults, and older adults with an intellectual disability: a systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation, in press.
Lopez-Bueno R, Koyanagi A, Lopez-Sanchez GF, Firth J, Smith L. (2021). Association between age of first exposure and heavy Internet use in a representative sample of 317 443 adolescents from 52 countries. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, in press.
Ramos-Sanchez CP, Schuch FB, Seedat S…, Firth J, et al. (2021). The anxiolytic effects of exercise for people with anxiety and related disorders: an update of the available meta-analytic evidence. Psychiatry Research, in press.
Romano E, Ma R, Perera G, …Firth J, et al. Risk of hospitalised falls and hip fractures in working age adults receiving mental health care. General Hospital Psychiatry, in press.
Siskind D, Gallagher E, Winckel K… Firth J, et al. (2021). Does switching antipsychotics ameliorate weight gain in patients with severe mental illness? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Schizophrenia Bulletin (Impact Factor = 7.8), doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbaa191.
Gonzalez M, Pascoe M, Yang G…Firth J, et al. (2021). Yoga for depression and anxiety symptoms in people with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psycho-oncology, in press.
Swinnen S, Vandenbulcke M, de Bruin ED…Firth J, et al. (2021). The efficacy of exergaming in people with major neurocognitive disorder residing in long-term care facilities: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Alzheimer's Research & Therapy (Impact Factor = 6.1), in press.
Ma R, Romano E, Vancampfort D, Firth J, Stubbs B, Koyangi A. (2021).  Physical multimorbidity and social cohesion in adults aged ≥65 years from six low- and middle-income countries. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, in press.
Marx W, Scholey A, Firth J, et al. (2021). Prebiotics, Probiotics, Fermented foods and Cognitive Outcomes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews (Impact Factor = 8.33), in press.
Rosson S, Monaco F, Miola A…, Firth J et al. (2021) Longitudinal course of depressive, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms after heart surgery: a meta-analysis of 94 studies. Psychosomatic Medicine, 83(1):85-93.
Solmi M, Zorzi A, Cardaioli F…Firth J, et al. (2021). Exercise addiction in athletes: comparing two assessment instruments and willingness to stop exercise after medical advice.  Psychological Assessment, in press.
Purton T, Staskova L, Lane M…,Firth J, et al. (2021). Prebiotic and probiotic supplementation and the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway: A systematic review and meta analysis. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews (Impact Factor = 8.33), in press.
Jacob L, Smith L, Armstrong NC…, Firth J, Tully MA. (2021). Alcohol use and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown: A cross-sectional study in a sample of UK adults. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, in press.
Vancampfort D, Sanchez C, Hallgren M, Schuch FB, Firth J, et al. (2021). Dropout from exercise randomized controlled trials among people with anxiety and stress-related disorders: a meta-analysis and meta-regression. Journal of Affective Disorders, in press.
 
 
2020
Firth J, Solmi M, Wootton RE, Vancampfort D, Schuch FB, Hoare E, Gilbody S, Torous J, Teasdale SB, Jackson SE, Smith L, Eaton M, Jacka FN, Veronese N, Marx W, Ashdown-Franks G, Siskind D, Sarris J, Rosenbaum S, Carvalho AF, Stubbs B. (2020). A meta-review of “lifestyle psychiatry”: the role of exercise, smoking, diet and sleep in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. World Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 49.6), 19 (3): 360-380.
Firth J, Gangwisch JE, Borisini A, Wootton RE, Mayer EA. (2020). Food and mood: how do diet and nutrition affect mental wellbeing? The BMJ (Impact Factor = 30.22), doi: 10.1136/bmj.m2382
Firth J, Wootton RE, Carvalho AF. (2020). Towards preventative psychiatry: the role of advanced epidemiological methods. The American Journal of Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 14.12), 177: 888-890
Firth J, Torous J. (2020). Multidisciplinary research priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lancet Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 16.2), doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30251-0
Sarris J, Thomson R, Hargraves F, Eaton M, Manincor M, Veronese N, Solmi M, Stubbs B, Yung AR, & Firth J. (2020). Multiple Lifestyle Factors and Depressed Mood: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Analysis of The UK Biobank. BMC Medicine (Impact Factor = 6.8), 18 (354) doi: 10.1186/s12916-020-01813-5
Rosenbaum S, McKeon G, Stubbs B, Teychenne M, Parker A, & Firth J. (2020). Redefining mental healthcare: going multidisciplinary to manage multimorbidity. British Journal of Sports Medicine (Impact Factor = 12.68), doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2019-101691
Firth J, Malchow B, Ventura J. (2020). Imaging the effects of exercise on the brain. Schizophrenia Research, in press, doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.06.034
Firth J, Schuch FB, Mittal V. (2020). Using exercise to protect physical and mental health in youth at risk for psychosis. Research in Psychotherapy: Psychopathology, Process and Outcome, 23(1): 10.4081/ripppo.2020.433.
Bull F, Al-Ansari S, Biddle S,…Firth J, et al. (2020). World Health Organization 2020 Guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviours. British Journal of Sports Medicine (Impact Factor = 12.68), 54(24):1451-62.
Siskind D, Wu BT, Wong TT, Firth J, Kisley S. (2020). Pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation among people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A systematic review, meta-analysis and network meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 16.2), in press.
Mittal V, Firth J, Kimhy D. Combating the dangers of sedentary activity on child and adolescent mental health during the time of COVID-19. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 6.4), in press.
Chaput JP, Willumsen J, Bull F, Chou R, Ekelund U, Firth J, Jago R, Ortega FB, Katzmarzyk PT. 2020 WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour for children and adolescents aged 5–17 years: summary of the evidence. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (Impact Factor = 7). 2020;17(1):1-9.
Marx W, Lane M, Hockey M…, Firth J, et al. (2020). Diet and Depression: Exploring the Biological Mechanisms of Action. Molecular Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 12.4), in press.
Jacob L, Tully M, Barnett Y…, Firth J, et al. (2020). The Relationship between Physical Activity and Mental Health in a Sample of the UK Public: A Cross-Sectional Study During the Implementation of COVID-19 Social Distancing Measures. MENPA, in press, doi: 10.1016/j.mhpa.2020.100345
Vancampfort D, Schuch FB, Van Damme T, Firth J, et al. (2020). Metabolic syndrome and its components in people intellectual disability: a meta-analysis. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, in press.
Veronese N, Fontana L, Piccio L...Firth J, et al. (2020). Adherence to a healthy lifestyle and multiple sclerosis a case-control study from the UK Biobank. Nutritional Neuroscience, in press.
Linardon…Firth J et al., (2020). E-mental health interventions for the treatment and prevention of eating disorders: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (Impact Factor = 4.5), in press.
Bulzing R, Meyer J, Vancampfort D, Firth J, et al. (2020) Associations of moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior with depressive and anxiety symptoms in self-isolating people during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey in Brazil. Psychiatry Research, in press.
DiPietro L, Al-Ansari SS, Biddle SJ, …Firth J, et al. (2020). Advancing the Global Physical Activity Agenda: Recommendations for Future Research by the 2020 WHO physical activity and sedentary behavior guidelines development group. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (Impact Factor = 7). 2020 Dec;17(1):1-1.
2020
Carvalho AF, Firth J, Vieta E. (2020). Bipolar Disorder [Invited Review]. New England Journal of Medicine (Impact Factor = 70.67), 383:58-66.
Solmi M, Firth J, Miola A, Fornano M, Frison E, Fusar-Poli P, Dragioti E, Shin JI, Carvalho A, Stubbs B, Koyanagi A, Kisley S, Correll CU. (2020). Disparities in cancer screening in people with mental illness across the world versus the general population: prevalence and comparative meta-analysis including 4717839 people. The Lancet Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 16.2), 7: 52-63.
Firth JA, Smith L, Sarris J, …, Firth J. (2020). Handgrip strength is associated with hippocampal volume and white matter hyperintensities in major depression and healthy controls: a UK Biobank study. Psychosomatic Medicine, 82: 39–46.
Torous J, Lipschitz JM, Ng M, Firth J. (2020). Dropout rates in clinical trials of smartphone apps for depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 263: 413-419.
Torous J, Myrick KJ, Ricupero N, Firth J. (2020). Digital Mental Health and COVID-19: Using Technology Today and Accelerating the Curve on Access and Quality for Tomorrow. JMIR Mental Health, in press. 
Teasdale S, Firth J. (2020). Recommendations for dietetics in mental healthcare. (2020). Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, in press.
Vancampfort D, Solmi M, Firth J, Vandenbulcke M, Stubbs B. (2020). The impact of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions to improve physical health outcomes in people with dementia: a meta-review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. JAMDA (Impact Factor = 5.3),in press.
Biazus Sehn LF, Schuch FB, Firth J, de Souza Stigger F. (2020). Effects of Physical Exercise on Cognitive Function of Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, in press.
Brinsley J, Schuch FB, Lederman O…Firth J, et al. (2020). The Effects of Yoga on Depressive Symptoms in People with Mental Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine (Impact Factor = 12.68), in press.
Ashdown-Franks G, Sabiston CM, Koyanagi A….Firth J, et al. (2020). Predictors of Physical Activity Recording in Routine Mental Healthcare. MENPA, in press.
Trott M, Yang L, Jackson S, Firth J et al. (2020). Prevalence and Correlates of Exercise Addiction in the Presence vs. Absence of Indicated Eating Disorders. Frontiers in Sport and Active Living, doi: 10.3389/fspor.2020.00084.
Stubbs B, Perara G, Koyanagi A…Firth J, et al. (2020). Risk of Hospitalized Falls and Hip Fractures in 22,103 Older Adults Receiving Mental Health Care vs 161,603 Controls: A Large Cohort Study. JAMDA (Impact Factor = 5.3),  in press, doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.03.005.
Bezerra AP, Machado OM,  Maes M… Firth J, et al. (2020). Trichotillomania --- Psychopathological correlates and associations with health-related quality of life in a large sample. CNS Spectrums, in press.
Trott M, Jackson S, Firth J et al. (2020). Exercise addiction prevalence and correlates in the absence of eating disorder symptomology: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Addiction Medicine, doi: 10.1097/ADM.0000000000000664.
Sarris J, Sinclair J, Karamacoska D, Davidson M, Firth J. (2020). Medicinal Cannabis for Psychiatric Disorders: A Clinically-Focused Systematic Review. BMC Psychiatry, in press.
Brokmeier L, Firth J, Vancampfort D, Smith L, Rosenbaum S, Ward PB, Stubbs B, Schuch FB. (2020). Does physical activity reduce the risk of psychosis? A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Psychiatry Research, in press.
Powell A, Torous J, Firth J, Kaufman K. Generating Value with Mental Health Apps. (2020). BJPsych Open, in press.
Carvalho AF, Solmi M, Sanches M.., Firth J, et al. (2020). Evidence-Based Umbrella Review of 162 Peripheral Biomarkers for Major Mental Disorders. Translational Psychiatry (I.F. =5.8), in press.
Jacob L, Stubbs B, Firth J, Smith L, Haro JM, Koyanagi A. (2020). Fast food consumption and suicide attempts among adolescents aged 12-15 years from 32 countries. Journal of Affective Disorders, in press.
Vancampfort D, Basangwa D, Kimbowa S, Firth J, et al. (2020). Test-retest reliability, validity and correlates of the two-minute walk test in outpatients with depression. Physiotherapy Research International, in press.
Trott M, Jackson S, Firth J, Jacob L, et al., (2020). A comparative meta-analysis of the prevalence of exercise addiction in adults with and without indicated eating disorders.Eating and Weight Disorders, in press.
Veronese N, Solmi M, Demurtas J.., Firth J et al. (2020). Effect of low-dose aspirin on health outcomes: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, in press.
Carney R, Imran S, Law H, Firth J, Parker S. (2020). Physical health interventions on adolescent mental health inpatient units: a systematic review and call to action. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, in press.
Vancampfort D, Hallgren M, Schuch F…, Firth J, et al. (2020) Sedentary behavior and depression among community-dwelling adults aged >= 50 years: Results from the irish longitudinal study on Ageing. Journal of Affective Disorders, in press.
Korman N, Armour M, Chapman J, Rosenbaum S, Kisely S, Suetani S, Stubbs B, Firth J, Siskind D. (2020). High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) for people with Severe Mental Illness: A systematic review & meta-analysis of intervention studies. Psychiatry Research, in press.
 
2019
Firth J, Siddiqi N, Koyanagi A, Siskind D, Rosenbaum S, Galletly C, Allan S, Caneo C, Carney R, Carvalho A, Chatterton M, Correll C, Curtis J, Gaughran F, Heald A, Hoare E, Jackson S, Kisely S, Lovell K, Maj M, McGorry P, Mihalopoulos C, Myles H, O’Donoghue B, Pillinger T, Sarris J, Schuch F, Shiers D, Smith L, Solmi M, Suetani S, Taylor J, Teasdale S, Thornicroft G, Torous J, Usherwood T, Vancampfort D, Veronese N, Ward P, Yung A, Killacky E, Stubbs B. (2019). The Lancet Psychiatry Commission: A Blueprint for Protecting Physical Health in People with Mental Illness.  The Lancet Psychiatry, 6 (8): 675-712. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30132-4
Firth J, Teasdale S, Allott K, Siskind D, Marx W, Cotter J, Veronese N, Schuch FB, Smith L, Solmi M, Carvalho AF, Vancampfort D, Berk M, Stubbs B, Sarris J. (2019). The efficacy and safety of nutrient supplements in the treatment of mental disorders: a meta-review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. World Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 49.6), 18 (3) , doi: 10.1002/wps.20672
Firth J, Torous J, Stubbs B, Firth JA, Steiner GZ, Smith L, Alvarez-Jimenez M, Gleeson J, Vancampfort D, Armitage CJ, Sarris J. (2019).  The “online brain”: how the Internet may be changing our cognition. World Psychiatry (Impact Factor= 49.6), 18(2);119-129.
Firth J, Veronese N, Cotter C, Shivappa N, Hebert JR, Carolyn Ee, Smith L, Stubbs B, Jackson SE, Sarris J. (2019). What is the role of dietary inflammation in severe mental illness? a review of observational and experimental findings. Frontiers in Psychiatry, doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00350
Firth J, Marx W, Dash S, Carney R, Teasdale S, Solmi M, Stubbs B, Schuch FB, Carvalho AF, Jacka F, Sarris J. (2019). The effects of dietary improvement on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Psychosomatic Medicine, 81: 265-280.
Firth J, Ward PB, Stubbs B. Lifestyle Psychiatry. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00597
Firth J, Torous J. (2019). Issues with Inclusion and Interpretation; A Cause for Concern in mHealth Reviews? Journal of Psychiatric Research (Impact Factor = 4.00), doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.12.010.
Firth J, Teasdale SB, Jackson SE, Vancampfort D, Siskind D, Sarris J, Solmi M. (2019). Do reductions in ghrelin contribute towards antipsychotic-induced weight gain? Schizophrenia Research (Impact Factor = 4.00), doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2018.12.043.
Dubicka B, Martin J, Firth J. (2019). Screen time, social media and developing brains: a cause for good or corrupting young minds? Child and Adolescent Mental Health, doi: 10.1111/camh.12346.
Vancampfort D, Firth J, Correll CU, Solmi S, De Hert M, Carney R, Koyanagi A, Carvalho A, Gaughran F, Stubbs B. (2019). The impact of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to improve physical health outcomes in people with schizophrenia: a meta-review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. World Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 49.6), 18 (1): 53-66.
Ashdown-Franks G, Firth J, Carney R, Carvalho AF, Hallgren M, Koyanagi A, Rosenbaum S, Schuch FB, Smith L, Solmi M, Vancampfort D, Stubbs B. (2019). Exercise as medicine for mental and substance use disorders: a meta-review of the benefits for neuropsychiatric and cognitive outcomes. Sports Medicine (Impact Factor = 11.64), in press.
Ng M, Firth J, Torous J. User Engagement in Mental Health Apps: a systematic review of measurement, reporting and validity. Psychiatric Services, in press.
Cosco T, Firth J, Vahia I, Sixsmith A, Torous J.  Mobilizing mHealth data collection in older adults: Challenges and opportunities. JMIR Aging, in press.
Allot K, McGorry P, Yuen HP, Firth J, Proffitt TM, Berger G, Maruff P, O’Donnell CJ (2019). The Vitamins in Psychosis Study: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the effects of vitamin B12, B6 and folic acid on symptoms and neurocognition in first-episode psychosis. Biological Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 11.98), doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.12.018
Torous J, Anderson G, Bertagnoli A, Christensen H, Cuijpers P, Firth J., et al. (2019). Towards a consensus around standards for smartphone apps and digital mental health. World Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 49.6), 8 (1): 97.
Vancampfort D, Van Damme T, Firth J, Hallgren M, Smith L, Stubbs B, Rosenbaum S, Koyanagi A. (2019). Correlates of leisure-time sedentary behavior among 181,793 adolescents aged 12-15 years from 66 low- and middle-income countries. PLoS One, in press.
Dragioti E, Solmi M, Favaro A.., Firth J., et al. (2019). Adverse health outcomes in antidepressants users. An umbrella review of 45 meta-analyses of observational studies. JAMA Psychiatry (I.F. = 16.3), in press.
Vancampfort D, Hallgren M, Vandael H, Probst M, Van Hoof P, Firth J, Van Damme T. (2019).  Functional exercise capacity in inpatients with alcohol use disorder versus healthy controls: a pilot study. Alcohol, in press.
Marteen W, Winckel K, Hollingworth S, Kisely S, Gallagher E, Hahn M, Ebdrup BH, Firth J, Siskind D.  (2019). Strategies to counter antipsychotic-associated weight gain in patients with schizophrenia. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, in press.
Grabovac I Veronese N, Stefanac …Firth J,… Smith L. (2019). HIV infection and diverse physical health outcomes: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies. Clinical Infectious Diseases (Impact Factor = 9.02), in press.
Machado M, Stergiopoulos V, Maes M…Firth J, Carvalho A, et al. (2019). Depression and anxiety in adults with hidradenitis suppurativa: systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatology (Impact Factor = 8.1), in press.
Smith L, Luchini C, Demurtas J..., Firth J, et al., (2019). Telomere length and health outcomes: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies. Aging Research Reviews (Impact Factor = 9.0), 51: 1-10
Teasdale S, Ward PB, Samaras K, Firth J, Stubbs B, Tripodi E, Burrows T. (2019). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the dietary intake of people with severe mental illness: A focus on psychotic disorders and bipolar disorder. British Journal of Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 5.89), doi: 10.1192/bjp.2019.20
Travicaa N, D’Cunhab NM, Naumovskib N, Kentd K, Firth J…,Marx W. The effect of blueberry interventions on cognitive performance and mood: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Brain, Behavior and Immunity (Impact Factor=6.03), in press.
Hoare E, Marx W, Firth J, Jacka F, Moschonis G. Lifestyle behavioural risk factors and emotional functioning among Greek schoolchildren: The Healthy Growth Study. European Psychiatry, in press.
Ashdown-Franks G, Sabiston C, Vancampfort D…Firth J, et al. (2019). Cannabis use and physical activity among 89,777 adolescents aged 12-15 years from 21 low- and middle-income countries. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, in press.
Vancampfort D, Van Damme T, Firth J…, Koyanagi A. (2019). Correlates of physical activity among 142,118 adolescents aged 12-15 years from 48 low- and middle-income countries. Preventative Medicine, 127: 105819.
Chao C, Yang L, Koyanagi A, Vancampfort D, Soysal P, Veronese N, Stubbs B, Firth J, Smith L. (2019). Handgrip strength is associated with suicidal thoughts in men: Cross-sectional analyses from NHANES. Scand J Med Sci Spor, in press.
Smith S, Grabovac I, Yang L, Firth J, Brendon Stubbs B, Nicola Veronese N, Jackson SE. Sexual activity and cognitive decline in older age: a prospective cohort study. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, in press.
Swaraj S, Chung D, Curtis J, Firth J, Ramanuj P, Sara G, Wang M, Large M. (2019). Meta-analysis of Natural, Unnatural, and Cause-Specific Mortality Rates Following Discharge from Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, doi: 10.1111/acps.13073
Vancampfort D, Van Damme T, Stubbs B, Smith L, Firth J, Hallgren M, Mugisha J, Koyanagi A. (2019). Sedentary behavior and anxiety-induced insomnia among 181,093 adolescents from 67 countries: a global perspective. Journal of Sleep Research, in press
 
 
Ashdown-Franks G, Vancampfort D, Firth J, Veronese N, Jackson SE, Smith L, Stubbs B, Koyanagi A. (2019). Leisure-time sedentary behavior and obesity among 116,762 adolescents aged 12-15 years from 41 low- and middle-income countries. Obesity (Impact Factor = 4.05), in press.
Vancampfort D, Lara E, Smith L, Rosenbaum S, Firth J, Stubbs B, Hallgren M, Koyanagi A. (2019). Physical activity and loneliness among adults aged ≥50 years in six low- and middle-income countries. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, in press.
Jackson SE, Firth J, Grabovac I, Koyanagi A, Stubbs B, Soysal P, Yang L, Smith L. (2019). Sedentary behaviour and chronic stress in old age: a cross-sectional analysis of TV viewing and hair cortisol concentrations. Psychoneuroendocrinology (Impact Factor = 4.01), in press.
Van der Burg K, Cribb L, Karmacoska D, Firth J, Sarris J. (2019). Nutrient and Genetic Biomarkers of Nutraceutical Treatment Response in Mood and Psychotic Disorders: A Systematic Review. Nutritional Neuroscience, 9: 1-17.
Jackson SE, Smith L, Firth J, Grabovac I, Soysal P, Koyanagi A, Stubbs B, Veronese N. (2019). Is there a relationship between chocolate consumption and symptoms of depression? A cross-sectional survey of 13,626 US adults. Depression and Anxiety (Impact Factor 4.1), in press.
Smith L, Firth J, Grabovac I, Roberts J, Koyanagi A, , et al. (2019). The association of grip strength with depressive symptoms and cortisol in hair: a cross-sectional study of older adults. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports (Impact Factor = 4.6), in press.
Van der Burg KP, Cribb L, Firth J, Karmacoska D., et al. (2019). EPA and DHA as Markers of Nutraceutical Treatment Response in Major Depressive Disorder. European Journal of Nutrition (Impact Factor = 4.1), in press.
Schuch FB, Stubbs B, Meyer J…Firth J, et al. (2019). Physical activity protects from incident anxiety: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Depression and Anxiety (Impact Factor = 4.1), in press.
Stockwell S, Schofield P, Fisher A, Firth J, Jackson S, Stubbs B, Smith L. (2019). Digital behavior change interventions to promote physical activity and/or reduce sedentary behavior in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2019). Experimental Gerontology, 20:68-87.
Smith L, Jackson SE, Vancampfort D, Jacob L, Firth J, … Koyanagi A. (2019). Sexual behavior and suicide attempts among adolescents aged 12-15 years from 38 countries: A global perspective. Psychiatry Research, in press.
 
Vancampfort D, Van Damme T, Firth J, Smith L, Stubbs B, Rosenbaum S, Hallgren M, Hagemann N, Koyanagi A. (2019). Correlates of physical activity among 142,118 adolescents aged 12–15 years from 48 low-and middle-income countries. Preventive Medicine, 127:105819
 
Jackson S, Firth JA, Firth J, Veronese N, Grabovac I, Gorely T, Yang L, Smith L. (2019). Social isolation and physical activity mediate associations between free bus travel and wellbeing among older adults in England. Journal of Transport and Health, in press.
Deenik J, Czosnek L, Teasdale S, Stubbs B, Firth J et al. (2019). From impact factors to real impact: translating evidence on lifestyle interventions into routine mental healthcare. Translational Behavioral Medicine, in press.
Ashdown-Franks G, Vancampfort D, Firth J, et al. Association of leisure-time sedentary behavior with fast food and carbonated soft drink consumption among 133,555 adolescents aged 12-15 years in 44 low- and middle-income countries. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (Impact Factor=5.5), in press.
Smith L, Pardhan S, López Sánchez GF... Firth J, Lin Yang L. Presenting visual impairment and objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior in US adolescents and adults. BMJ Open, in press.
Vancampfort D, Ashdown-Franks G, Smith L, Firth J, Van Damme T, Christiaansen L, Stubbs B, Koyanagi A. (2019). Leisure-time sedentary behavior and loneliness among 148,045 adolescents aged 12-15 years from 52 low- and middle-income countries. Journal of Affective Disorders, in press.
Stringer C, Loosemore M, Moller E… Firth J, Smith L. (2019). Promoting physical activity in vulnerable adults “at risk” of homelessness: A Randomised Controlled Trial Protocol. BMJ Open, in press
Bolzetta F, Veronese N, Stubbs B.., Firth J, Solmi M. The relationship between dietary vitamin K and depressive symptoms in late adulthood: a cross-sectional analysis from a large cohort study. Nutrients (Impact Factor =4.16), in press.
Smith L, Veronese N, Moller E, Johnstone J, Firth J, Grabovac I, Yang L, Soysal P, Jackson SE. Health behaviours and mental and physical health status in older adults with a history of homelessness: a cross-sectional population-based study in England. BMJ Open, in press.
Carvalho AF, Stubbs B, Vancampfort D…Firth J.., Koyanagi A. (2019). Cannabis Use and Suicide Attempts among 86,254 Adolescents Aged 12-15 years from 21 Low- and Middle-income countries. European Psychiatry (Impact Factor = 4.13), 56: 8-13.
Jackson S, Firth J, Veronese N, Stubbs B, Koyanagi A, Yang L, Smith L. (2019). Decline in sexuality and psychological wellbeing in older adults: a population-based study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 245: 912-917
Vancampfort D, Stubbs B, Firth J, Smith L, Swinnen N, Koyanagi A. (2019). Associations between handgrip strength and mild cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older adults in six low- and middle income countries. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, doi: 10.1002/gps.5061
Veronese N, Demurtas J, Pesolillo M,.. Firth J et al., (2019). Magnesium and health outcomes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational and intervention studies. European Journal of Nutrition (Impact Factor = 4.5), doi: 10.1007/s00394-019-01905-w
Vancampfort D, Stubbs B, Mugishae J, Firth J, Van Damme T, Smith L, Koyanagi A. (2019). Leisure-time sedentary behavior and suicide attempt among 126,392 adolescents in 43 countries. Journal of Affective Disorders, doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.03.053
Vancampfort D, Stubbs B, Firth J, Koyanagi A. (2019). Handgrip strength, chronic physical conditions and physical multimorbidity in middle-aged and older adults in six low- and middle income countries. European Journal of Internal Medicine, 61: 96-102
Vancampfort D, Stubbs B, Smith L, Gardner B, Herring MP, Firth J, Koyanagi A. (2019). Correlates of sedentary behavior among community-dwelling adults with anxiety in six low- and middle-income countries. Psychiatry Research, 273: 501-508
 
 
 
 
2018
Firth J, Firth JA, Stubbs B, Vancampfort D, Schuch FB, Hallgren M, Veronese N, Yung AR, Sarris J. (2018). Association Between Muscular Strength and Cognition in People With Major Depression or Bipolar Disorder and Healthy Controls. JAMA Psychiatry (I.F. = 16.3), 75 (7): 740-746
Firth J, Stubbs B, Teasdale S, Ward PB, Veronese N, Shivappa N, Hebert J, Berk M, Yung AR, Sarris J. (2018). Diet as a hot topic in psychiatry: a population-scale study of nutritional intake and inflammatory potential in severe mental illness. World Psychiatry (I.F. = 49.6), 17 (3), 365-367
Firth J, Stubbs B, Vancampfort D, Firth JA, Large M, Ward PB, Rosenbaum S, Hallgren M, Sarris J, Yung AR. (2018). Grip strength is associated with cognitive performance in schizophrenia and the general population: a U.K. Biobank study of 476,559 participants. Schizophrenia Bulletin (I.F.= 7.8), 44 (4): 728–736.
Firth J, Torous J, Carney R, Cosco T, Newby J, Christensen H, Sarris J. (2018). Digital technologies in the treatment of anxiety: recent innovations and future directions. Current Psychiatry Reports [I.F. = 4.1; Invited Review], 20: 44
Firth J, Carney R, Stubbs B, Teasdale S, Vancampfort D, Ward PB, Berk M, Sarris J. (2018). Nutritional deficiencies and clinical correlates in first-episode psychosis:  a systematic review and meta-analysis. Schizophrenia Bulletin (I.F.=7.8), 44 (6): 1275–1292.
Firth J, Stubbs S, Vancampfort D, Schuch F, Lagopoulos J, Rosenbaum S, Ward P. (2018). Effect of aerobic exercise on hippocampal volume in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis. NeuroImage (I.F.= 6.4), 166: 230–238.
Firth J, Stubbs B, Vancampfort D, Ward PB, Schuch FB, Rosenbaum S, Sarris J, Yung AR. (2018). The validity and value of self-reported physical activity and accelerometry in people with schizophrenia: a population-scale study of the UK Biobank. Schizophrenia Bulletin (I.F.= 7.8), 44 (6): 1293-1300.
Firth J, Rosenbaum S, Ward PB, Curtis J, Teasdale S, Yung AR, Sarris J. (2018). Adjunctive nutrients in first-episode psychosis: a systematic review of efficacy, tolerability and neurobiological mechanisms. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 12 (5): 774-783.
Torous J & Firth J. (2018). Bridging the dichotomy of actual versus aspirational digital health. World Psychiatry (I.F.= 49.6), 17 (1): 108–109.
Firth J, Torous J, Huckvale K,… Wykes T, Keshavan M & Christensen H. (2018). The emerging imperative for a consensus approach towards the rating and clinical recommendation of mental health apps. Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases, 206 (8): 662-666
Stubbs B, Vancampfort D, Smith L, Rosenbaum S, Schuch F, Firth J. (2018). Physical activity and mental health. The Lancet Psychiatry (I.F. = 18.2), 5 (11): 873
Sarris J, Firth J. (2018). Vitamin and mineral supplements: Modern-day malnutrition: Examining the links between mineral deficits and mental health status. The Australian Journal of Pharmacy 99 (1174): 58-65
Vancampfort D, Mugisha J, De Hert M, Probst M, Firth J, Gorczynski P, Stubbs B. (2018). Global physical activity levels among people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta- analysis. Disability and Rehabilitation, 40 (4): 388-397
Savage K, Firth J, Stough C, Sarris J. (2018). GABA-Modulating Phytomedicines for Anxiety: A Systematic Review of Preclinical and Clinical Evidence. Phytotherapy Research, 32 (1): 3-18
Bellhouse S, McWilliams L, Firth J, Yorke J, French DP. (2018). Are community-based health worker interventions an effective approach for early diagnosis of cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psycho-Oncology, 27 (4): 1089-1099.
Stubbs B, Vancampfort D, Hallgren M, Firth J, Brand S, Cordes, J, Malchow B, Gerber M, Schmitt A, Correll CU, De Hert M, Gaughran F, Schneider F, Veronese N, Solmi M, Kinnafik F, Falkai P, Moller HJ, Kahl KG. (2018). EPA Guidance on exercise as a treatment for severe mental illness: a systematic review of the evidence – Position Statement from the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), supported by the International Organization of Physical Therapists in Mental Health (IOPTMH). European Psychiatry, 54: 124-144.
Ashdown-Franks G, Koyanagi A, Vancampfort D, Firth J, Smith L, Schuch F, Veronese N, Stubbs B. (2018). Sedentary behavior and perceived stress among adults aged ≥50 years in six low- and middle-income countries. Maturitas, 116: 100–107.
Vancampfort D, Stubbs B, Firth J, Van Damme T, Koyanagi A. (2018). Sedentary behavior and depressive symptoms among 67,077 adolescents aged 12-15 years from 30 low- and middle-income countries. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (I.F.=5.5), 15: 73
Stubbs B, Vancampfort D, Firth J, Veronese N, Solmi M, Siddiqi N, McNeil A, Smith L, Carvalho A, Koyanagi A (2018). Association between depression and smoking: A global perspective from 48 low- and middle-income countries. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 103: 142-149
Vancampfort D, Smith L, Stubbs B, Swinnen N, Firth J, Schuch F, Koyanagi A. (2018). Associations between active travel and physical multi-morbidity in six low- and middle-income countries among community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study. PLoS One, 13 (8): e0203277
Ashdown-Franks G, Williams J, Vancampfort D, Firth J, Schuch F, Hubbarb K, Craig T, Gaughran F, Stubbs B. (2018). Is it possible for people with people with severe mental illness to sit less and move more? A systematic review of interventions to increase physical activity or reduce sedentary behavior. Schizophrenia Research, 202: 3-16
Kandola A, Vancampfort D, Herring M, Rebar A, Hallgren M, Firth J, Stubbs B. (2018). Moving to Beat Anxiety: Epidemiology and Therapeutic Issues with Physical Activity for Anxiety.  Current Psychiatry Reports [I.F. = 4.1; Invited Review], 20 (8): 63
Torous J, Larsen M, Depp C, Cosco T, Barnett I, Nock M, Firth J. (2018) Smartphones, Sensors, and Machine Learning to Advance Real Time Prediction and Interventions for Suicide Prevention: A Review of Current Progress and Next Steps. Current Psychiatry Reports [I.F. = 4.1; Invited Review] 20 (7): 51
Solmi M, Kohler C, Stubbs B…, Firth J, Ioannidis JPA, Carvalho AF. (2018). Environmental risk factors and nonpharmacological and nonsurgical interventions for obesity: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of cohort studies and randomized controlled trials. European Journal of Clinical Investigation, 48 (12): e12982
Schuch FB, Vancampfort D, Firth J, Rosenbaum S, Ward PB, da Silva ES, Hallgren M, Dunn A, Deslandes A, Fleck M, Stubbs B. Physical activity and incident depression: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies (2018). American Journal of Psychiatry (I.F.= 14.2), 175 (7): 631-648
Vancampfort D, Stubbs B, Lara E, Vandenbulcke M, Swinnen N, Smith L, Firth J, Herring M, Hallgren M, Koyanagi A (2018). Mild cognitive impairment and sedentary behavior: a multinational study. Experimental Gerontology, 108: 174-180
Veronese N, Stubbs B, Volpato S, Zuliani G, Maggi S, Cesari M, Lipnicki D, Smith L, Schofield D, Firth J, Vancampfort D, Koyanagi A, Cereda E. (2018). Association Between Gait Speed With Mortality, Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies. JAMDA (I.F.=5.3), 19 (11): 981-988
Veronese N, Schofield P, Smith L, Koyanagi A, Firth J, Stubbs B. (2018). Is chocolate consumption associated with health outcomes? An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Clinical Nutrition (I.F.=5.5), doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2018.05.019
Vancampfort D, Stubbs B, Smith L, Hallgren M, Firth J, Herring MP, Probst M, Koyanagi A. (2018). Physical activity and sleep problems in 38 low- and middle-income countries. Sleep Medicine (I.F.=5.3), 48: 140-147.
Stubbs B, Vancampfort D, Firth J, Hallgren M, Schuch F, Veronese N, Solmi M, Gaughran F, Kahl K, Rosenbaum S, Ward PB, Carvalho A, Koyanagi A. (2018). Physical activity correlates among people with psychosis: Data from 47 low- and middle-income countries. Schizophrenia Research 193: 412-417.
Torous J, Nicholas J, Larsen ME, Firth J, Christensen H. (2018). Clinical Review of User Engagement with Mental Health Smartphone Apps: Evidence, Theory, and Improvements. BMJ Evidence-Based Mental Health, 21 (3): 116-119
Vancampfort D, Stubbs B, Firth J, Hagemann N, Myin-Germeys I, Rintala A, Veronese N, Koyanagi A. (2018). Sedentary behavior and sleep problems among 42,489 community-dwelling adults in six low- and middle-income countries. Journal of Sleep Research, 27 (6): e12714
Shivappa N, Hébert J, Veronese N, Caruso MG, Notarnicola M, Maggi S, Stubbs B, Firth J, Fornaro M, Solmi M. (2018). The relationship between the dietary inflammatory index and incident depressive symptoms: a longitudinal cohort study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 235: 39-44
Vancampfort D, Mugisha J, Rosenbaum S, Firth J, Van Damme T. (2018). Gender differences in motives for physical activity across the stages of change in Ugandan outpatients with psychosis, Schizophrenia Research, 197: 568-569.
Teasdale S, Firth J, Stubbs B, Burrows T. (2018) ‘You are what you eat’ (not what you said you ate yesterday): Why a one-off 24-hour dietary recall fails capture usual dietary intake in schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Research, 199: 447-448
Hallgren M, Mattsson M, Ekblom O, Firth J, Schembri A, Yvonne Forsell Y. (2018). Exercise effects on cognitive functioning in young adults with first episode psychosis: FitForLife. Psychological Medicine (I.F.=5.5), 49 (3): 431-439
Vancampfort D, Stubbs B, Mugisha J, Firth J, Schuch F, Koyanagi A. (2018). Correlates of sedentary behaviour in 2,375 people with depression from 6 low- and middle-income countries. Journal of Affective Disorders, 234; 97-104.
Stubbs B, Smith L, Veronese N, Firth J, Schuch F, Koyanagi A, Vancampfort D. (2018). Relationship between sedentary behavior and depression: a mediation analysis of influential factors across the lifespan among 42,469 people in low- and middle-income countries. Journal of Affective Disorders, 229: 231-238
Vancampfort D, Stubbs B, Hallgren M, Lundine A, Firth J, Koyanagi A (2018). Correlates of sedentary behavior among adults with hazardous drinking habits in six low- and middle-income countries. Psychiatry Research, 261: 406-413
 
 
2017
Firth J, Torous J, Nicholas J, Carney R, Pratap A, Rosenbaum R, Sarris J. (2017). The efficacy of smartphone-based mental health interventions for depression: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. World Psychiatry (I.F.=49.6), 16 (3): 287–298.
Firth J, Stubbs B, Sarris J, Rosenbaum S, Teasdale S, Berk M, Yung AR (2017). The effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on symptoms of schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine (I.F.= 5.5), 47: 1515-1527.
Vancampfort D, Firth J, Schuch F, Rosenbaum S, Hallgren M, Probst M, Ward PB, Gaughran F, Carvalho A, Stubbs B. (2017). Global sedentary and physical activity levels and correlates in people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of 69 studies. World Psychiatry (I.F.=49.6), 16 (3): 308–315.
Firth J, Stubbs B, Rosenbaum S, Vancampfort D, Malchow B, Schuch FB, Elliot R, Nuechterlein KH, Yung AR (2017). Aerobic exercise improves cognitive functioning in people with schizophrenia: a systematic review meta-analysis. Schizophrenia Bulletin (I.F.= 7.8), 43: 546-556.
Firth J, Cotter J, Carney R, Yung AR (2017). The pro-cognitive mechanisms of physical exercise in people with schizophrenia. British Journal of Pharmacology (I.F.= 5.3), 174 (19): 3161-317.
Firth J, Carney R, Pownell M, French P, Elliott R, Yung AR (2017). Challenges in implementing an exercise intervention within residential psychiatric care: A mixed methods study. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 12: 141-146
Firth J, Torous J, Nicholas J, Carney C, Rosenbaum R, Sarris J (2017). Can smartphone mental health interventions reduce symptoms of anxiety? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Affective Disorders, 218: 15-22.
 
Ward PB, Firth J, Rosenbaum R, Samaras K, Stubbs B, Curtis J. (2017) Lifestyle interventions to reduce premature mortality in schizophrenia. The Lancet Psychiatry (I.F.=16.2), 4 (7): e14.
Bhugra D, Tasman A…, Christensen, H, Firth J, Keshavan M..., et al. (2017). The WPA-Lancet Psychiatry Commission on the Future of Psychiatry. The Lancet Psychiatry (I.F.=16.2), 4 (10): 775–818.
Yung AR, Firth J. Commentary on: Chou AIW, Wang Y-C, Lin C-L, Kao C-H. (2017) Female schizophrenia patients and risk of breast cancer: A population-based cohort study. BMJ Evidence-based Mental Health, 188: 165-171
Stanmore E, Stubbs S, Vancampfort D, deBruin E, Firth J. (2017). The effect of active video games on cognitive functioning in clinical and non-clinical populations: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews (I.F.= 8.5), 78: 34-43.
Vancampfort D, Stubbs B, Firth J, Hallgren M, Schuch F, Lahti J, Rosenbaum S, Ward PB, Mugisha J, Carvalho A, Koyanagi A. (2017) Physical activity correlates among 24,230 people with depression across 46 low- and middle-income countries. Journal of Affective Disorders, 221: 81-88.
Veronese N, Stubbs B, Maggi S, Notarnicola M, Barbagallo M, Firth J, Dominguez L, Caruso MG. (2017). Dietary magnesium and incident frailty in older people: an eight year longitudinal study. Nutrients, 9 (11): 1253
Vancampfort D, Van Damme T, Probst M, Firth J, Stubbs B, Basangwa D, Mugisha J. (2017). Physical activity is associated with the physical, psychological, social and environmental quality of life in people with mental health problems in a low resource setting. Psychiatry Research, 258: 250 - 254.
Vancampfort D, Hagemann N, Wyckaert S, Rosenbaum S, Stubbs B, Firth J, Schuch F, Sienaert P. (2017). Higher cardio-respiratory fitness is associated with improved mental and physical quality of life in people with bipolar disorder: a controlled pilot study. Psychiatry Research, 256; 219–224.
Vancampfort D, Hallgren M, Firth J, Rosenbaum S, Schuch F, Mugisha J, Probst M, Van Damme T, Carvalho A, Stubbs B. (2018). Physical activity and suicidal ideation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 225: 438-448.
Vancampfort D, De Hert M, Probst M, Firth J, Germeys I, van Winkel R, Naisiga A, Mugisha J (2017). Interest, competence, appearance, fitness and social relatedness as motives for physical activity in Ugandan outpatients with psychosis. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 13: 94-99
Stubbs B, Koyanagi A, Schuch F, Firth J, Rosenbaum S, Gaughran F, Mugisha J, Vancampfort D. (2017). Physical activity levels and psychosis: A mediation analysis of factors influencing physical activity target achievement among 204,186 people across 46 low-and middle income countries. Schizophrenia Bulletin (I.F.=7.8), 43: 536-545.
Vancampfort D, De Hert M, Germeys I, van Winkel R, Firth J, Van Damme T, Probst M (2017). Lower cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with more time spent sedentary in first episode psychosis: a pilot study. Psychiatry Research, 253: 13-17
 
Gorczynski P, Firth J, Stubbs B, Rosenbaum S, Vancampfort D. (2017). Are people with schizophrenia adherent to diabetes medication? A comparative meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research, 250: 17-24.
Torous J, Firth J, J Baker, JP Onnella. (2017). Methodology and Reporting of Mobile Heath and Smartphone Application Studies for Schizophrenia. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 25 (3), 146-154.
Carney R, Cotter J, Firth J, Bradshaw T, Yung AR. (2017). Cannabis use and symptom severity in individuals at ultra-high risk for psychosis: a meta-analysis. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica (I.F.= 6.6) 136(1):5-15.
Vancampfort D, Stubbs B, Richards J, Ward P, Firth J, Schuch F, Rosenbaum R. (2017). Physical fitness in people with posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 39 (24): 2461-2467.
Schuch F, Vancampfort D, Firth J, Rosenbaum S, Ward P, Richards J, Reichert T, Bagatini NC, Bgeginski R, Stubbs B (2017). Physical activity and sedentary behavior in people with major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders 210: 139–150.
Vancampfort D, Koyanagi A, Ward P, Rosenbaum S, Schuch FB, Mugisha J, Richards J, Firth J, Stubbs B. (2017). Chronic physical conditions, multimorbidity and physical activity across 46 low- and middle-income countries. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (I.F.=5.5), 14 (1): 6


2016
Firth J, Rosenbaum R, Stubbs B, Gorczynski P, Yung AR, Vancampfort D (2016). Motivations and barriers to exercise among people with serious mental illness: a meta-analysis. Psychological Medicine (I.F.=5.5), 46 (14), 2869-2881.
Firth J, Vancampfort D, Schuch FB, Yung AR, Stubbs B (2016). Moving beyond the weight-loss paradigm of exercise interventions for mental illness. Psychiatry Research, 246: 392–393.
Firth J, Carney R, French P, Elliott R, Cotter J, Yung AR (2016). Long-term maintenance and effects of exercise in early psychosis: a 6-month follow up study. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 12 (4): 578-585
Firth J, Cotter J…, Yung AR (2016). Mobile phone ownership and endorsement of “mhealth” among people with psychosis: a meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies.   Schizophrenia Bulletin (I.F.=7.8), 42: 448-455.
Firth J, Carney R, Elliott R, French P, McPhee JS, McIntyre R, Yung AR (2016). Exercise as an intervention for first-episode psychosis: a feasibility study. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 12 (3): 307-315.
Firth J, Torous J, Yung AR (2016). Ecological momentary assessment and beyond: the rising interest in e-mental health research. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 80: 3-4.
Firth J, Carney R, Jerome L, Elliott R, French P, Yung AR (2016). The effects and determinants of exercise participation in first-episode psychosis: a qualitative study. BMC Psychiatry, 16: 36
Firth J, Rosenbaum R, Stubbs B, Vancampfort D, Yung AR (2016). Preferences and motivations for exercise in early psychosis. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavia (I.F.=6.6), 134 (1): 83-84.
Cotter J, Firth J, Enzinger C, Kontopantelis E, Yung AR, Drake RJ. (2016). Social cognition in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurology (I.F.=8.3), 87 (16): 1727-1736.
Stubbs B, Firth J, Berry A, Schuch FB, Rosenbaum S, Gaughran F, Veronesse N, Williams J, Craig T, Yung AR, Vancampfort D. (2016). How much physical activity do people with schizophrenia engage in? A systematic review, comparative meta-analysis and meta-regression. Schizophrenia Research, 176 (2-3): 431-440.
Yung AR, Firth J. (2016). How should physical exercise be used in schizophrenia treatment? Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 17 (3): 213-214.
Vancampfort D, Firth J, Schuch FB, Rosenbaum R, Probst M, Ward P, Van Damme T, Stubbs B (2016). Dropout from physical activity interventions in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 11: 46–52.
Torous J, Firth J (2016). The Digital Placebo Effect:  Mobile Mental Health Meets Clinical Psychiatry. The Lancet Psychiatry (I.F.=11.6), 3 (2): 100-102.
Vancampfort D, Firth J, Schuch F, Rosenbaum R, De Hert M, Mugisha J, Stubbs B. (2016). Physical activity and sedentary behavior in people with bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 201: 145–152.
Vancampfort D, Mugisha J, Rosenbaum S, Firth J, De Hert M, Probst M, Stubbs B. (2016). Cardiorespiratory fitness levels and moderators in people with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Preventative Medicine, 93: 106-114.
Stubbs B, Koyanagi A, Hallgren M, Firth J, Richards J, Schuch F, Rosenbaum S, Mugisha J,Veronese N, Lahti J, Vancampfort D. (2016). Physical activity and anxiety: a perspective from the World Health Survey. Journal of Affective Disorders, 208: 545-552.
Stubbs B, Vancampfort D, Rosenbaum R, Firth J, Cosco T, Venonese N, Salum G, Schuch FB. (2016). An examination of the anxiolytic effects of exercise for people with anxiety and stress-related disorders: A meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research, 249: 102-108.
Stubbs B, Koyanagi A, Schuch F, Firth J, Rosenbaum S, Veronese N, Solmi M, Mugisha J, Vancampfort D (2016). Physical activity and depression: A large cross-sectional, population-based study across 36 low- and middle-income countries. Acta Psychiatrica Scandanivica (I.F.=6.6), 134 (6): 546-556.
Carney R, Cotter J, Bradshaw T, Firth J, Yung AR. (2016). Lifestyle factors may be linked to symptoms of metabolic syndrome in people at risk for psychosis. Schizophrenia Research, 183: 47-48
Schuch F, Vancampfort D, Sui X, Rosenbaum S, Firth J, Richards J, Ward P, Stubbs B. (2016). Are lower levels of fitness associated with incident depression? A systematic review of prospective cohort studies. Preventative Medicine, 93: 159-165.
Vancampfort D, Probst M, De Hert, M, Broderick J, Lederman O, Firth J, Rosenbaum S, DeHert A. (2016). Is autonomous motivation the key to maintaining an active lifestyle in first-episode psychosis? Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 12 (5): 821-827
Carney R, Cotter J, Bradshaw T, Firth J, Yung AR (2016). Cardiometabolic risk factors in young people at ultra-high risk for psychosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Schizophrenia Research, 170: 290-300. 
 
2014-2015
Firth J, Torous J (2015). Smartphone Apps for Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review. JMIR mHealth uHealth, 3 (4): e102
Firth J, Cotter J, Elliot R, French P, Yung AR (2015). A systematic review and meta-analysis of exercise interventions in schizophrenia. Psychological Medicine (I.F.=5.5), 45 (7): 1343-1361.
Cotter J, Drake RJ, Bucci S, Firth J, Edge D, Yung AR (2014). What drives poor functioning in the at-risk mental state? A systematic review. Schizophrenia Research, 159 (2-3): 267-277.
 
 
Conference Abstracts and Invited Talks
I have disseminated my research findings through symposiums, oral sessions, poster presentations at many international conferences, along with delivering several invited talks at leading institutions. I have acted as the Chair/Discussant for multiple symposiums at other international conferences.
Firth J (2022). Bringing together the evidence on effects of nutrition on mental health. Invited Plenary Speaker for VitaFoods Europe 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland, 10th May, 2022.
Firth J (2022). Introducing ‘Lifestyle Psychiatry’: Principles, Evidence & Implementation of Health Behaviours in Mental Healthcare. Invited Keynote Speaker for British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine AGM 2022 in London, England, [delivered online due to covid-19], 21st May, 2022
Firth J (2022). Digital Lifestyle Interventions for Young Adults with Severe Mental Illness. Invited Seminar for Big Health Grand Rounds, San Francisco, USA, [delivered online due to covid-19], 10th March 2022.
Firth J (2021). Improving physical health behaviours & outcomes in mental healthcare: the unrealised potential of mHealth technology. Invited Seminar for clinicians in Richmond Foundation mental health services [delivered online due to covid-19], 19th Nov, 2021
Firth J (2021). Addressing Lifestyle Factors to Improve outcomes of Mental Illness: Evidence and Implementation. Invited Research Seminar for South London and Maudsley Trust [delivered online due to covid-19], July, 2021.
Firth J (2021).Physical activity for mental health: An update of the evidence. Symposium Speaker for Physiology 2021,Cork, Ireland, in July 2021 [moved online due to covid-19].
Firth J (2021). Physical Health and Mental Wellbeing: Exploring Links and Improving Outcomes. Keynote Speaker for Student Mental Health Research Conference, Manchester, U.K. in June 2021 [moved online due to covid-19]
Firth J (2021). Protecting the Body and the Brain: Lifestyle Medicine for Mental Health. Invited Symposium Speaker for Movement & The Mind Conference, London, U.K. in June 2021 [moved online due to covid-19].
Firth J (2021). The Role of Health Behaviours in Prevention and Treatment of Mental Illness. Invited Keynote Speaker at The Primary Care Mental Health Conference, York, U.K. in May 2021. [moved online due to covid-19].
Firth J (2021). Exercise & Mental Health: An Update on the evidence base. Keynote Speaker for The Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) Sports and Exercise Psychiatry Conference, March 2021. [moved online due to covid-19].
Firth J (2020). Protecting the Physical Health of People with Mental Illness: Findings from The Lancet Psychiatry Commission. Invited Seminar for University of Sussex & Sussex Partnership NHS Trust, November 2019. [moved online due to covid-19]
Firth J (2020).Using 'lifestyle psychiatry' to protect physical health in people with schizophrenia: findings from the Lancet Psychiatry Commission. Invited Symposium Speaker at DGPPN Congress, Berlin, November 2020. [moved online due to covid-19]
Firth J (2020). Protecting the physical health of people with mental illness: findings from The Lancet Psychiatry Commission. Invited Symposium Speaker at The Mind-Body Interface International Conference, Taiwan, October 2020. [moved online due to covid-19]
Firth J (2020). The BMJ’sFood for Thought 2020. Expert Panelist in the session “Food for mind and body: The impact of nutrition on mental well-being”, hosted by SwissRe, Switzerland, May 2020. [moved online due to covid-19]
Firth J (2020). The Role of Health Behaviours in Prevention and Treatment of Mental Illness. Invited Keynote Speaker at The Primary Care Mental Health Conference, York, U.K. in May 2020. [cancelled due to COVID-19]
Firth J (2020). Protecting the physical health of people with mental illness: findings from The Lancet Psychiatry Commission. Invited Speaker at Primary Care Mental Health Research Conference Manchester Medical Society Conference, Section of Psychiatry on 26th February 2020.
Firth J (2020). Using Physical Exercise as an ‘Early Intervention´ for Severe Mental Illness: Essential Treatment for the Body and Brain. Invited Seminar for the University of Granada, Spain, 6th February 2020.
Firth J (2019). Protecting Physical Health in People with Mental Illness: Implementing Findings from The Lancet Psychiatry Commission. Workshop Seminar for the Royal College of Psychiatry, UK (RCPsych UK) Faculty of Rehabilitation and Social Psychiatry, Leeds, November 2019.
Firth J (2019). Putting physical and mental health on the same page: Findings from The Lancet Psychiatry Commission. Keynote Speaker for World Mental Health Day hosted at University of York, U.K., in October 2019.
Firth J (2019). The Overall Effects of Nutrition on Mental Health: Using Meta-Data to answer Better Questions. Symposium Speaker for International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research, in London, October 2019.
Firth J (2019). A Blueprint for Protecting Physical Health in Mental Illness: The Launch of The Lancet Psychiatry Commission. Chair of the Scientific Session for the launch of our lancet commission. The session featured 4 presentations; hosted at the WPA’s ‘World Congress of Psychiatry’ in Lisbon, August 2019.
Firth J (2019). Protecting Physical Health in People with Mental Illness: Findings from the Lancet Psychiatry Commission. Oral Presentation at the ‘International Festival of Public Health UK’, July 2019.
Firth J (2019). The Overall Effects of Nutrition on Mental Health: Using Bigger Data to answer Bigger Questions. Invited Speaker for Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine, Auckland, New Zealand, June 2019.
Firth J (2019). Protecting the physical health of people with mental illness: Findings from The Lancet Psychiatry Commission, with relevance to primary care. Oral Presentation at ‘Primary Care Mental Health Research Conference’, Manchester, UK, May 2019.  
Firth J (2018). The Lancet Commission on Improving Physical Health in People with Mental Illness; a symposium on the development, progress and initial findings. Chair, Discussant and Presenter; Society for Mental Health Research 2018, Noosa Heads, Australia.
Firth J (2018). Determining the efficacy of smartphone interventions for common mental disorders: independent meta-analyses for anxiety and depressive symptoms. Symposium Speaker; Society Mental Health Research, November 2018, Noosa Heads, Australia.
Firth J (2018). Using physical exercise to improve brain health in people with mental illness. Keynote Speech; ‘The Inspiration Breakfast, hosted by Belgravia Leisure. 14th November, 2018.
Firth J (2018). Using physical exercise to improve brain health in people with mental illness. Keynote Speech; ‘The Mind and Body Balance Seminar’, hosted by Metro Health South, Brisbane, Australia. 8th September, 2018.
Firth J (2018). Using physical exercise to improve recovery in people with mental illness. Black Dog Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia. 8th August, 2018.
Firth J (2018). Can aerobic exercise and nutritional interventions improve recovery in early psychosis? Invited Seminar, May 2018, Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia.
Firth J (2018). Can aerobic exercise and nutritional interventions improve recovery in early psychosis? Invited Seminar, May 2018, Food & Mood Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
Firth J (2018). Nutritional deficiencies and clinical correlates in first-episode psychosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 6th Biennial Schizophrenia International Research Society Conference (Poster session). Florence, Italy.
Firth J (2018). The efficacy of smartphone-based psychological interventions for common mental disorders: results from independent meta-analyses for anxiety and depressive symptoms. World Psychiatry Association Thematic Congress (Oral session). Melbourne, Australia.
Firth J (2018). The efficacy of vitamin and mineral supplementation as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. World Psychiatry Association Thematic Congress (Oral session). Melbourne, Australia.
Firth J (2018). Can aerobic exercise and nutritional interventions improve recovery in early psychosis? Invited Seminar, 18th January 2018. Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), Kings College London, UK.
Firth J (2017). B-vitamins in the treatment of Schizophrenia. Neuroscience and Mental Health Conference (Oral session). Campbelltown, Australia.
Firth J (2017). Giving Nutritional Psychiatry a ‘Head Start’ from Exercise Research. International Society of Nutritional Psychiatry Research (Symposium session). Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Firth J, Schuch FB, Romain AJ, Rosenbaum S, Ward PB (2017). Promoting Physical Activity Interventions among People with Mental Disorders: A Continuum. Society of Behavioral Medicine (Symposium session). San Diego, USA.
Firth J, Elliot R, French P, Yung AR (2017). Investigating the Short and Long-term Benefits of Exercise in Early Psychosis. Schizophrenia Bulletin (Abstracts of The International Congress on Schizophrenia Research). San Diego, USA.
Firth J, Elliot R, French P, Yung AR (2016). Investigating the Short and Long-term Benefits of Exercise in Early Psychosis. Early Intervention in Psychiatry 10, 222-222 (Abstracts from The 10th IEPA Early Intervention in Mental Health Conference). Milan, Italy.
Firth J, Elliot R, French P, Yung AR (2016). The IBEEP study: exploring the feasibility and effects of exercise in early psychosis. Schizophrenia Research (Abstracts from The 5th Biennial Schizophrenia International Research Society Conference). Florence, Italy.
Firth J, Yung AR (2016). The IBEEP study: Investigating the Benefits of Exercise in Early Psychosis. Abstracts from The 6th International Conference of Physical therapy in Psychiatry and Mental Health. Madrid, Spain.
Firth J, Carney C, Elliot R, Yung AR (2015). Exercise as an intervention for first-episode psychosis: the 'iBeep' study. Abstracts from The 12th Australasian Schizophrenia Conference. Melbourne, Australia.
Firth J, French P, Elliot R, Yung AR (2015). Investigating the Benefits of Exercise in First Episode Psychosis. Schizophrenia Bulletin (Abstracts of The International Congress on Schizophrenia Research). Colorado, USA.
Book Chapters
In addition to publications in peer-reviewed journals, I have also written five book chapters for clinical-focused books, in order to facilitate the implementation of my research findings within mental healthcare settings.
Firth J, Carney R (2019). Physical Exercise and The Brain. In: Noordsy D (eds.); Lifestyle Psychiatry: Using Exercise, Diet and Mindfulness to Manage Psychiatric Disorders. American Psychiatric Association, Arlington, Virginia, USA.
Suetani S, Firth J (2019). Benefits, Assessment and Preferences of Physical Activity in Psychosis. In: Badcock J & Paulik-White G (eds.); A Clinical Introduction for Psychosis: Foundations for Clinical and Neuro-Psychologists. Elsevier Publications, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Firth J, Carney R (2018). Mhealth and Physical Activity Interventions Among People with Mental Illness. In: Stubbs & Rosenbaum (eds.); The Clinicians Guide to Physical Activity for People with Mental Illness: Evidence-Based Exercise Prescription. Elsevier Publications, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Firth J, Carney R (2016). Promoting Physical Activity. In: Bradshaw & Mairs (eds.); Health promotion and wellbeing in people with Mental Health problems. SAGE publications, London, UK. 
Carney R, Firth J (2016). Cardiometabolic Risk in Young People with Psychosis. In: Bradshaw & Mairs (eds.); Health promotion and wellbeing in people with Mental Health problems. SAGE publications, London. 
 
Journal Editing and Peer-Review
Along with publishing extensively, I am also a highly active peer-reviewer; ensuring that I complete reviews for at least 2 papers per month. In doing this, I have reviewed for over 40 different academic journals.
I am on the editorial board for multiple recognized journals in my field, including British Journal of Psychiatry Open (BJPsych Open), Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR) Mental Health, Frontiers in Psychiatry, Frontiers in Neurology, Frontiers in Neuroscience.
I have guest-edited multiple special issues of ranked journals in my field; such as my 18-paper Research Topic on ‘Lifestyle Psychiatry; (in Frontiers in Psychiatry, Impact Factor = 3.9), and upcoming special issues in Behavioural Sciences and IJEPH (Impact Factor = 2.05).
 
Research Impact and Translation
Policy Documents, Guidelines and Clinical Practice
My research has also had direct impact on health policy; particularly regarding the development of national policy documents from leading government bodies, and local implementation of research findings. This is best evidenced by:
(i) Acting as Chair and First Author on an official lancet commission. The Commission brought together 42 experts from over a dozen countries to develop international consensus and recommendations for improving physical health in people with mental illness. Although published in just 2019, the Commission’s report has already cited and drawn upon by multiple healthcare authorities and NGO’s for their initiatives in tackling health disparities for mental illness. Furthermore, the Commission had broader public impact through the international media coverage it received. Following the publication of the Commission, I was interviewed by CNN and the BBC World Service Radio, and the resultant media stories received coverage from over a dozen other outlets. In my role as lead author and Chair of the commission, I coordinated the scoping reviews, evidence syntheses, and writing of the 15,000-word document. I was also responsible for producing the Executive Summary, and for running an array of workshops for determining the optimal content in conjunction with service users, clinicians, and carers. I also chaired the Scientific Session and coordinated the official launch of the Commission, held at the World Congress of Psychiatry in Lisbon, August 2019.
(ii) Co-author of the European Psychiatric Association’s 2018 “Guidance on Physical Activity as a Treatment for Severe Mental Illness”; which also draws on multiple of my studies in this area in the guideline’s development and recommendations for implementation.
(iii) Expert Consultant for the World Health Organization’s Guideline Development Group for the update of their global physical activity guidelines. Developing the new guidelines has involved me participating in multiple 3-day workshops in WHO HQ in Geneva Switzerland, along with remote work on underpinning evidence reviews. In particular, I have had extensive input and responsibility for the WHO’s 2020 guidelines with regards physical activity for prevention and treatment of mental illness.
(iv) Invited as a listed Contributor to The Royal College of Psychiatry (RCPsych UK)’s “Position statement on technology use and the health of children and young people”. I was invited to participate in this position statement after my major review on this topic (published in World Psychiatry, official journal of World Psychiatric Association, Impact Factor = 34) was recognised by the RCPsych UK leadership team.
(v) The World Bank 2019 report on ‘Better Health in the Home’ citing two of my studies on the use of smartphone mental health apps for self-management of symptoms of depression and anxiety
(vi) The 2018 Scientific Report used for the U.S.A.’s Department of Health and Human Services 2nd edition of ‘Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans’ citing my first-authored research on the cognitive benefits of exercise in schizophrenia.
(vii) The Royal Society of Public Health’s (UK) 2019 report on ‘Public Mental Health: Evidence, practice and commissioning’ citing my first-authored research on the impact of adopting a healthy diet for reducing symptoms of depression across the population
(viii) The U.K.’s governing healthcare body, ‘NICE’ (‘National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’) cites our research article on physical health in the early stages of psychosis in their 2016 document ‘Psychosis and schizophrenia in children and young people: recognition and management – Clinical Guideline CG155’.    
(ix) The World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2018 guidelines on “Management of physical health conditions in adults with severe mental disorders” cites our research on the importance of physical activity in people with schizophrenia.
(x) RCPsych UK’s continued professional development module on ‘Physical activity interventions in severe mental illness’ drew on much of my research on this topic (as informed by the module’s developer).
(xi) Local Health Service implementation of my research findings; specifically, with regards to the Early Intervention in Psychosis services in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District implementing routine clinical screening for folate and vitamin D deficiencies in young people with psychosis, as a direct result of sharing the findings of my recent meta-analysis with the early intervention service manager for the South East Sydney local health district.
 
Implementation & Translation Case Study: J Firth & Belgravia Leisure collaboration on the ‘Take Charge’ Scheme
A large part of my research to date has focused on exercise as a treatment for severe mental illness. As well as publishing extensively in this area, I am also extensively personally involved in providing specialized exercise access schemes for people living with mental illness in the community, for no personal remuneration: In 2015, the published findings of my clinical trials on exercise for psychosis were noticed by managerial staff within the council-funded community services, Belgravia Leisure, who contacted me to hear more about this work to inform their efforts in engaging disadvantaged members of their community in physical activity.
Since then, I been the primary scientific consultant in the development of an ‘exercise on referral’ scheme for young adults with mental illness; the “Take Charge” program. The ‘Take Charge’ program currently being rolled out throughout leisure centers in NSW and VIC and has already enrolled over 300 people with mental illness in the exercise referral program. Within my role, I have contributed to every aspect of the scheme, from intellectual conception, through to pilot implementation, and now the ongoing state-wide scaling of the scheme.
This includes regular consultation with regional managers, delivering talks and Q&A sessions for allied health professionals at community launch events, and connecting the leisure services with the local health services to establish the schemes. Within this, I have arranged an MOU legal agreement to formalize the collaboration between my institution and Belgravia Leisure. I am now continuing to work with Belgravia in their efforts to deliver and evaluate this scheme. Furthermore, we are applying for several local authority funding schemes to gain further resources for accelerating the growth and evaluation of this important outreach program.
 
Collaborations
I am a strong believer in the benefits of collaborative endeavor and strive to deepen and expand my research networks through adding value to others projects. I have established successful working relationships with established researchers in the USA (Harvard and UCLA), Australia (UNSW, University of Western Sydney, University of Melbourne, and Deakin University) and across Europe (KU Leuven and LMU München); leading to multiple publications, symposiums and grant applications with these external research groups.
 
Public Engagement
Press Releases and Popular Media. Beyond academic and clinical impact, I have also maximized broader awareness of my work through strategic engagement with conventional media. This has resulted in my first-author publications receiving coverage by over 700 media outlets. The coverage of my research includes news stories from The Guardian, CNN, The Daily Mail, New York Times, The Washington Post and ITV News, along with feature pieces in highly-recognised magazines such as TIME Magazine, Forbes, Vogue, Men’s Health and ELLE. Additionally, I have worked with BBC Horizon’s in setting up televised research, participated in live interviews on BBC News and Sky News about my research, along with dozens of radio station interviews across international, Australian and UK radio stations.
Currently, 70 of my published articles are ranked within the top 5% for media coverage of all 13 million research articles tracked by AltMetrics. For example, my 2017 meta-analysis of smartphone apps for depression holds the No. 1 ranking for most media attention of all time for articles published in the world’s highest impact Psychiatry journal, ‘World Psychiatry’. My subsequent review article on how internet usage affects cognition holds the #2 ranked spot at this same journal. Alongside these, I have other pieces which rank highly across multiple well-recognised journals; with my research holding many of the top spots for all time media coverage in Early Intervention in Psychiatry (two first author articles, ranked 1st and 2nd ), Schizophrenia Bulletin (two first author articles, ranked 2nd and 3rd ), Psychosomatic Medicine (first-author article ranked 2nd), The American Journal of Psychiatry (ranked #2nd), and Neuroimage (ranked 5th),  articles at extensive media coverage demonstrates both general interest in my research, along with creating potential for the new knowledge generated by my research to impact upon public understanding of mental health treatments. 
Widening Participation Fellow (University of Manchester) I previous had a paid role as a ‘Widening Participation Fellow’ with the Schools and University Partnership Initiative. This has increased my enthusiasm and competencies in presenting scientific research in formats suitable for children and young adults, ranging from 8-18 years of age. Within the role, I have developed and delivered a wide array of workshops covering general research skills, behavioural change, environmental issues and young adults’ health.
 
Teaching, Mentoring and Student Support
Undergraduate Lectures: I deliver lectures on novel treatments for early psychosis for the School of Pharmacy to final-year students undertaking the psychopharmacology module. Additionally, I also lectured on the Health Psychology course at Western Sydney University.
Higher Degree Researchers: During my fellowship in Sydney, I was also appointed as the HDR coordinator for our department; which involved providing prospective applicants with advice, and selecting applications to put forward to internal HDR funding, and supporting enrolled PhD and MSc students in their ongoing research. I have also participated formal examination of PhD thesis as the ‘international examiner’ of vivas at external institutions.
Advanced Nursing Practitioner Training:Thepragmatic benefits of my research observed by psychiatric nurses working within the mental health services in Manchester has led to the School of Nursing (at the University) inviting me to deliver training courses for ‘increasing physical activity in people with mental disorders’ for the Advanced Nurse Practitioner course. I have delivered this course for multiple groups of trainee nurses, with unanimously positive feedback from the students and course directors. This, in turn, has resulted in me been commissioned to write chapters for the textbook of the psychiatric nursing training course for the University of Manchester, published by SAGE Publications.
Mentoring Experience:
  • Research mentor for undergraduate psychology students undertaking a clinical research placement year at the University of Manchester. This involved training the students in clinical trial recruitment, psychiatric assessments, neurocognitive testing and qualitative analysis.
  • Mentoring multiple research assistants in their involvement in our projects, assisting them to take leadership roles in producing their own first-author publications from secondary data/related reviews for their respective projects.
  • Co-supervising PhD students, at Western Sydney University and Anglia Ruskin University. My role as co-supervisor has involved training these in clinical research design, systematic reviewing, and statistical analyses.
Committees and Memberships:
Outside of my research projects, I am a keen contributor across many international advisory groups. Examples include: (1) Expert consultant on the World Health Organization’s Guideline Development Group for the 2020 update of the Global Physical Activity Guidelines; (2) Member of the Scientific Committees for the Society of Mental Health Research and also the International Society of Nutritional Psychiatry Research, (3) Advisor Group Member for the Mental Health Foundation UK’s “Empowering People with Physical Exercise” DRILL project.
 
 

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