Hearing voices (auditory verbal hallucinations) Signs and Symptoms
Conditions
Interventions
All participants enrolled in this study will participate in an online peer support group for voice hearers. The intervention is built on the principles of the Hearing Voices Network, which positions v
Sponsors
University of Manchester
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Aged 18 years and over 2. Currently residing in the UK 3. Heard voices for at least 6 months 4. Able to provide informed consent 5. Willingness to engage in group support 6. Consistent access to the internet and ability to use videoconferencing platforms
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. At immediate risk of harm to self or others 2. Non-English speaking as assessment measures are only validated in English and in order for the support group to function, participants need to be able to communicate with one another
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| As this is a feasibility trial, a single primary outcome measure is not meaningful. However, key feasibility outcomes will be collected which will inform a definitive trial: 1. Referral and recruitment rates measured using study records at the end of the recruitment period in June 2023 2. Group attendance and outcome measure completeness rates measured using study records at the end of the study period in December 2023 3. Acceptability of the intervention assessed via drop-out rates and reason for withdrawal measured using study records at the end of the study period in 2023 | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Acceptability of the intervention and potential mechanisms of efficacy measured using qualitative interviews at baseline and end-of-study 2. Evaluations of social comparison measured using the Social Comparison Scale at baseline and end-of-treatment 3. Feelings of social connectedness and support measured using the Social Connectedness Scale-Revised (SCS-R) at baseline and end-of-study 4. Loneliness and social isolation measured using the UCLA Loneliness Scale at baseline and end-of-study 5. Personal beliefs about the self as a voice hearer measured using the Personal Beliefs about Experiences Questionnaire (PBEQ) at baseline and end-of-study 6. Assertive relating to voices and other people measured using the Approve-Voices and Approve-Social Questionnaires at baseline and end-of-study 7. The emotional impact of voice hearing measured using the Voice Impact Scale (VIS) at baseline and end-of-study 8. Acceptance of voices measured using the Voice Acceptance or Action Scale (VAAS-12) at baseline and end-of-study 9. Sense of personal recovery measured using the Questionnaire about the Process of Recovery-15 (QPR-15) at baseline and end-of-study 10. Feelings of cohesiveness within the group measured using the Group Cohesiveness Scale (GCS) at 4-weeks, 12-weeks, and end-of-study 11. Therapeutic factors within the group measured using the Therapeutic Factors Inventory-Short Form (TFI-S) at 4-weeks, 12-weeks and end-of-study | — |
Countries
England, United Kingdom
Contacts
Public ContactAlison Branitsky
Outcome results
None listed