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Rosebrock L, Freeman J, Rovira A, Miguel AL, Ward R, Bousfield M, Riffiod L, Kamvar R, Kabir T, Waite F, Freeman D. Developing an Automated Virtual Reality Therapy for Improving Positive Self-Beliefs and Psychological Well-Being (Phoenix VR Self-Confidence Therapy): Tutorial. JMIR Serious Games 2024; 12:e51512. [PMID: 39113378 PMCID: PMC11322795 DOI: 10.2196/51512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Unlabelled Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive technology in which delivery of psychological therapy techniques can be automated. Techniques can be implemented similarly to real-world delivery or in ways that are not possible in the real world to enhance efficacy. The potential is for greater access for patients to effective therapy. Despite an increase in the use of VR for mental health, there are few descriptions of how to build and design automated VR therapies. We describe the development of Phoenix VR Self-Confidence Therapy, designed to increase positive self-beliefs in young patients diagnosed with psychosis in order to improve psychological well-being. A double-diamond, user-centered design process conducted over the course of 18 months was used, involving stakeholders from multiple areas: individuals with lived experience of psychosis, clinical psychologists, treatment designers, and VR software developers. Thirteen meetings were held with young patients diagnosed with psychosis to increase the understanding and improve the assessment of positive self-beliefs, help design the scenarios for implementing therapeutic techniques, and conduct user testing. The resulting Phoenix therapy is a class I United Kingdom Conformity Assessed (UKCA)-certified medical device designed to be used on the standalone Meta Quest 2 (Meta Platforms) headset. Phoenix aims to build up 3 types of positive self-beliefs that are connected to psychological well-being. In a community farm area, tasks are designed to increase a sense of mastery and achievement ("I can make a difference"); in a TV studio, users complete an activity with graded levels of difficulty to promote success in the face of a challenge ("I can do this"); and in a forest by a lake, activities are designed to encourage feelings of pleasure and enjoyment ("I can enjoy things"). Phoenix is delivered over the course of approximately 6 weekly sessions supported by a mental health provider. Patients can take the headsets home to use in between sessions. Usability testing with individuals with lived experience of psychosis, as well as patients in the National Health Service (aged 16-26 years), demonstrated that Phoenix is engaging, easy to use, and has high levels of satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laina Rosebrock
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jason Freeman
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Aitor Rovira
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Andre Lages Miguel
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Rupert Ward
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Bousfield
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ludovic Riffiod
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Roya Kamvar
- The McPin Foundation, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Kabir
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- The McPin Foundation, London, United Kingdom
| | - Felicity Waite
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Freeman
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
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2
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Rossi-Goldthorpe R, Silverstein SM, Gold JM, Schiffman J, Waltz JA, Williams TF, Powers AR, Woods SW, Zinbarg RE, Mittal VA, Ellman LM, Strauss GP, Walker EF, Levin JA, Castiello S, Kenney J, Corlett PR. Different learning aberrations relate to delusion-like beliefs with different contents. Brain 2024; 147:2854-2866. [PMID: 38637303 PMCID: PMC11292907 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The prediction error account of delusions has had success. However, its explanation of delusions with different contents has been lacking. Persecutory delusions and paranoia are the common unfounded beliefs that others have harmful intentions towards us. Other delusions include believing that one's thoughts or actions are under external control or that events in the world have specific personal meaning. We compare learning in two different cognitive tasks, probabilistic reversal learning and Kamin blocking, that have relationships to paranoid and non-paranoid delusion-like beliefs, respectively. We find that clinical high-risk status alone does not result in different behavioural results in the probabilistic reversal learning task but that an individual's level of paranoia is associated with excessive switching behaviour. During the Kamin blocking task, paranoid individuals learned inappropriately about the blocked cue. However, they also had decreased learning about the control cue, suggesting more general learning impairments. Non-paranoid delusion-like belief conviction (but not paranoia) was associated with aberrant learning about the blocked cue but intact learning about the control cue, suggesting specific impairments in learning related to cue combination. We fit task-specific computational models separately to behavioural data to explore how latent parameters vary within individuals between tasks and how they can explain symptom-specific effects. We find that paranoia is associated with low learning rates in the probabilistic reversal learning task and the blocking task. Non-paranoid delusion-like belief conviction is instead related to parameters controlling the degree and direction of similarity between cue updating during simultaneous cue presentation. These results suggest that paranoia and other delusion-like beliefs involve dissociable deficits in learning and belief updating, which, given the transdiagnostic status of paranoia, might have differential utility in predicting psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Rossi-Goldthorpe
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Steven M Silverstein
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
- Department of Opthalmology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
| | - James M Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21228, USA
| | - Jason Schiffman
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92617, USA
| | - James A Waltz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21228, USA
| | - Trevor F Williams
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, USA
| | - Albert R Powers
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Scott W Woods
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Richard E Zinbarg
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, USA
| | - Vijay A Mittal
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, USA
| | - Lauren M Ellman
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Gregory P Strauss
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Elaine F Walker
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jason A Levin
- Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Santiago Castiello
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Joshua Kenney
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Philip R Corlett
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
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3
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Díaz D, Briñol P, Bajo M, Stavraki M, Beato-Fernández L, Petty RE. The association of the persecutory ideation questionnaire with clinically-relevant and other outcomes: the moderating role of confidence. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15809. [PMID: 38982156 PMCID: PMC11233644 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66846-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
One of the most used self-administered instruments to assess persecutory delusions is the Persecutory Ideation Questionnaire (PIQ). Individual differences in PIQ scores are important because they predict the severity of symptoms associated with psychosis-related disorders. The current research demonstrates that PIQ is associated with two new outcomes: Satisfaction with life (Studies 1 and 2) and therapy length needed for hospital discharge (Study 2). Most relevant, we introduce meta-cognitive confidence in one's scale responses as a construct capable of improving the predictive validity of the PIQ. Across two studies, participants from the general population (Study 1) and from a clinical sample (Study 2) completed the PIQ and then reported the confidence in their responses. As expected, the PIQ was associated with satisfaction with life in both cases and duration of therapy required to receive hospital discharge for the clinical sample. Most importantly, confidence further moderated the extent to which the PIQ scores were linked with both outcomes, with greater consistency between the PIQ and the dependent measures obtained for those with higher confidence. Therefore, asking a single item about the confidence associated with responses to the PIQ enhances the association of PIQ scores and relevant consequences across domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darío Díaz
- Department of Psychology, Ciudad Real Medical School, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, Camino de Moledores S/N, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | | | - Miriam Bajo
- Department of Psychology, Ciudad Real Medical School, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, Camino de Moledores S/N, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Maria Stavraki
- Department of Psychology, Ciudad Real Medical School, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, Camino de Moledores S/N, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Luis Beato-Fernández
- Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla la Mancha, Ciudad Real, Spain
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Sheffield JM, Brinen AP, Feola B, Heckers S, Corlett PR. Understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis Through the Predictive Coding Framework. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 4:100333. [PMID: 38952435 PMCID: PMC11215207 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Psychological treatments for persecutory delusions, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis, are efficacious; however, mechanistic theories explaining why they work rarely bridge to the level of cognitive neuroscience. Predictive coding, a general brain processing theory rooted in cognitive and computational neuroscience, has increasing experimental support for explaining symptoms of psychosis, including the formation and maintenance of delusions. Here, we describe recent advances in cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis-based psychotherapy for persecutory delusions, which targets specific psychological processes at the computational level of information processing. We outline how Bayesian learning models employed in predictive coding are superior to simple associative learning models for understanding the impact of cognitive behavioral interventions at the algorithmic level. We review hierarchical predictive coding as an account of belief updating rooted in prediction error signaling. We examine how this process is abnormal in psychotic disorders, garnering noisy sensory data that is made sense of through the development of overly strong delusional priors. We argue that effective cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis systematically targets the way sensory data are selected, experienced, and interpreted, thus allowing for the strengthening of alternative beliefs. Finally, future directions based on these arguments are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M. Sheffield
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Aaron P. Brinen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Brandee Feola
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Stephan Heckers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Philip R. Corlett
- Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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5
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Rief W, Asmundson GJG, Bryant RA, Clark DM, Ehlers A, Holmes EA, McNally RJ, Neufeld CB, Wilhelm S, Jaroszewski AC, Berg M, Haberkamp A, Hofmann SG. The future of psychological treatments: The Marburg Declaration. Clin Psychol Rev 2024; 110:102417. [PMID: 38688158 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Although psychological treatments are broadly recognized as evidence-based interventions for various mental disorders, challenges remain. For example, a substantial proportion of patients receiving such treatments do not fully recover, and many obstacles hinder the dissemination, implementation, and training of psychological treatments. These problems require those in our field to rethink some of our basic models of mental disorders and their treatments, and question how research and practice in clinical psychology should progress. To answer these questions, a group of experts of clinical psychology convened at a Think-Tank in Marburg, Germany, in August 2022 to review the evidence and analyze barriers for current and future developments. After this event, an overview of the current state-of-the-art was drafted and suggestions for improvements and specific recommendations for research and practice were integrated. Recommendations arising from our meeting cover further improving psychological interventions through translational approaches, improving clinical research methodology, bridging the gap between more nomothetic (group-oriented) studies and idiographic (person-centered) decisions, using network approaches in addition to selecting single mechanisms to embrace the complexity of clinical reality, making use of scalable digital options for assessments and interventions, improving the training and education of future psychotherapists, and accepting the societal responsibilities that clinical psychology has in improving national and global health care. The objective of the Marburg Declaration is to stimulate a significant change regarding our understanding of mental disorders and their treatments, with the aim to trigger a new era of evidence-based psychological interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winfried Rief
- Philipps-University of Marburg, Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Group, Marburg, Germany.
| | | | - Richard A Bryant
- University of New South Wales, School of Psychology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David M Clark
- University of Oxford, Department of Experimental Psychology, Oxford, UK
| | - Anke Ehlers
- University of Oxford, Department of Experimental Psychology, Oxford, UK
| | - Emily A Holmes
- Uppsala University, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala, Sweden; Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Solna, Sweden
| | | | - Carmem B Neufeld
- University of São Paulo, Department of Psychology, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Adam C Jaroszewski
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Max Berg
- Philipps-University of Marburg, Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Group, Marburg, Germany
| | - Anke Haberkamp
- Philipps-University of Marburg, Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Group, Marburg, Germany
| | - Stefan G Hofmann
- Philipps-University of Marburg, Department of Psychology, Translational Clinical Psychology Group, Marburg, Germany
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6
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Delattre J, Sharkey-Plantin L, Bortolon C, Langlois T, Favrod J, Raffard S, Jardri R. Voice-clinics: Interest and implementation in France. L'ENCEPHALE 2024; 50:239-240. [PMID: 38311479 DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2023.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Delattre
- Consultation Hallucinations & Expériences Supra-Sensorielles (CHESS), Centre de Référence Maladies Rares à expression psychiatrique (CRMR-Psy) de Lille, Hôpital Fontan, CHU de Lille, CS 70001, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Lucie Sharkey-Plantin
- Consultation Hallucinations & Expériences Supra-Sensorielles (CHESS), Centre de Référence Maladies Rares à expression psychiatrique (CRMR-Psy) de Lille, Hôpital Fontan, CHU de Lille, CS 70001, 59037 Lille, France
| | - Catherine Bortolon
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, LIP/PC2S, 38000 Grenoble, France; Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France; Centre de Réhabilitation Psychosociale et Remédiation Cognitive - C3R, Centre Hospitalier Alpes Isère, Grenoble, France
| | - Thomas Langlois
- Centre d'Études et de Recherche en Psychopathologie et Psychologie de la Santé (CERPPS), Département de psychopathologie, psychologie de la santé, et neurosciences, Université Toulouse Jean-Jaurès, Toulouse, France
| | - Jérôme Favrod
- Haute École Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale (HES-SO), Institut et Haute École de la Santé La Source, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stéphane Raffard
- Laboratoire Epsylon, Université Paul-Valery Montpellier 3, Unité Universitaire d'Intervention et d'Accompagnement Psychologique (UUIAP), service de psychiatrie adulte, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Renaud Jardri
- Consultation Hallucinations & Expériences Supra-Sensorielles (CHESS), Centre de Référence Maladies Rares à expression psychiatrique (CRMR-Psy) de Lille, Hôpital Fontan, CHU de Lille, CS 70001, 59037 Lille, France; Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France; Centre Lille Neuroscience et Cognition, Inserm U-1171, équipe plasticité & subjectivité (PSY), Université de Lille, Lille, France.
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7
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Freeman D. Developing psychological treatments for psychosis. Br J Psychiatry 2024; 224:147-149. [PMID: 38652062 PMCID: PMC11039552 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2024.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Evidence shows that talking with patients about psychotic experiences can be beneficial. The key question is therefore: which psychological methods can help patients most? This editorial presents ten principles for the design and development of effective psychological treatments. These principles are perceptible characteristics of successful interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Freeman
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, UK; and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK
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8
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Freeman D. Understanding and Treating Persecutory Delusions. Schizophr Bull 2024; 50:233-235. [PMID: 38309718 PMCID: PMC10919765 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbae012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Freeman
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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9
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Morris EMJ, Johns LC, Gaudiano BA. Acceptance and commitment therapy for psychosis: Current status, lingering questions and future directions. Psychol Psychother 2024; 97:41-58. [PMID: 37357973 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for psychosis (ACTp) is a contextual behavioural intervention that promotes psychological flexibility by fostering active acceptance, cognitive defusion, values construction and committed action to enhance well-being and recovery. Multiple studies have shown that ACTp is acceptable and efficacious, but questions remain as to its distinction from similar approaches and the conditions under which it would be implemented most effectively. METHODS We present the current evidence for processes and outcomes of ACTp and summarise the qualitative findings of experiences of service users in ACT programmes. We compare ACTp with other cognitive behavioural therapies and mindfulness-informed interventions for psychosis. RESULTS Acceptance and commitment therapy for psychosis is promising as a pragmatic, process-driven intervention model. Further efforts are needed to investigate psychological flexibility in the context of psychosis with observational, experimental and intervention studies that will inform model scope and treatment refinement. Additionally, implementation research is the necessary next step, including how support persons can be trained in ACTp. Lower intensity and technology-assisted approaches have the potential to reduce barriers to accessing ACTp and extend impact. CONCLUSIONS Over the last 20 years, ACTp has demonstrated meaningful effects in individual and group formats in a range of settings, targeting outcomes such as rehospitalisation, depression, psychotic symptom distress and impact. Future work should focus on how best to integrate ACTp with other current evidence-based interventions for psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric M J Morris
- School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Northern Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Louise C Johns
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Brandon A Gaudiano
- Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior, Brown University & Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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10
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Newman-Taylor K, Bentall R. Cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis: The end of the line or time for a new approach? Psychol Psychother 2024; 97:4-18. [PMID: 37804105 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Following its introduction in the early 1990s, cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp) has been evaluated in a large number of clinical trials and is now established as a recommended treatment in the UK National Health Service and elsewhere in the world. Meta-analyses, however, indicate modest effects compared to treatment as usual or comparison therapies such as supportive counselling. Here, we seek to identify factors impacting the effectiveness of CBTp, and avenues for future psychotherapy research that may improve outcomes. METHOD We outline two recent umbrella reviews and discuss factors likely to impact the effectiveness of CBTp. RESULTS Modest effect sizes from meta-analyses mask heterogeneous outcomes, with some people benefiting and others possibly being harmed by therapy. Common factors such as the therapeutic alliance play an important role in determining outcomes but have been largely neglected by CBTp researchers. There is also the promise of improving outcomes by identifying and targeting the psychological mechanisms that either maintain psychotic symptoms (e.g. worry) or are causally implicated (e.g. trauma). CONCLUSIONS It is unlikely that everyone with psychosis will be equally responsive to the same therapeutic protocols. We need a new, personalised psychotherapy approach to CBTp research and practice, and can learn from research for anxiety and depression examining predictors of therapeutic response to inform treatment decisions. Precision psychological therapies informed by a combination of individual characteristics, common factors and a focus on specific mechanisms will require new research strategies and are likely to lead to improved outcomes for people with psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Newman-Taylor
- Psychology Department, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Psychology Department, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Richard Bentall
- Psychology Department, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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11
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Farrelly S, Peters E, Azis M, David AS, Hunter ECM. A brief CBT intervention for depersonalisation-derealisation disorder in psychosis: Results from a feasibility randomised controlled trial. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 2024; 82:101911. [PMID: 37716893 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbtep.2023.101911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Depersonalisation/derealisation symptoms are prevalent in psychosis patients, are associated with increased impairment, and may maintain psychosis symptoms. We aimed to establish the feasibility and acceptability of a brief, six session therapy protocol adapted from a Cognitive-Behavioural model of Depersonalisation-Derealisation Disorder (DDD) in participants with psychotic symptoms. METHODS A single-blind, randomised controlled trial was conducted with a treatment-as-usual control condition. Feasibility and acceptability estimates included rates of referral, acceptance, eligibility, consent, satisfaction and improved skills/knowledge to manage depersonalisation. RESULTS Twenty-one individuals were recruited to the trial. Results suggest that the intervention was feasible and acceptable to participants and there is some signal of effect on clinical outcomes. LIMITATIONS There were some challenges in recruitment. Recruitment feasibility estimates from the research register used may not be informative for future trials recruiting directly from teams. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the results suggest that further investigations would be of interest and recommendations for this are made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Farrelly
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Department of Psychology, London, UK.
| | - Emmanuelle Peters
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Department of Psychology, London, UK; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), PICuP (Psychological Interventions Clinic for outpatients with Psychosis), UK.
| | - Matilda Azis
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Department of Psychosis Studies, London, UK.
| | - Anthony S David
- Institute of Mental Health, University College London, London, UK.
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12
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van der Vaart AD, Ma Y, Chiappelli J, Bruce H, Kvarta MD, Warner A, Du X, Adhikari BM, Sampath H, Kochunov P, Hong LE. Revisiting delusion subtypes in schizophrenia based on their underlying structures. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 171:75-83. [PMID: 38246028 PMCID: PMC10923062 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
A clear understanding of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and related spectrum disorders has been limited by clinical heterogeneity. We investigated whether relative severity and predominance of one or more delusion subtypes might yield clinically differentiable patient profiles. Patients (N = 286) with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) completed the 21-item Peters et al. Delusions Inventory (PDI-21). We performed factor analysis followed by k-means clustering to identify delusion factors and patient subtypes. Patients were further assessed via the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Brief Negative Symptom Scale, Digit Symbol and Digit Substitution tasks, use of cannabis and tobacco, and stressful life events. The overall patient sample clustered into subtypes corresponding to Low-Delusion, Grandiose-Predominant, Paranoid-Predominant, and Pan-Delusion patients. Paranoid-Predominant and Pan-Delusion patients showed significantly higher burden of positive symptoms, while Low-Delusion patients showed the highest burden of negative symptoms. The Paranoia delusion factor score showed a positive association with Digit Symbol and Digit Substitution tasks in the overall sample, and the Paranoid-Predominant subtype exhibited the best performance on both tasks. Grandiose-Predominant patients showed significantly higher tobacco smoking severity than other subtypes, while Paranoid-Predominant patients were significantly more likely to have a lifetime diagnosis of Cannabis Use Disorder. We suggest that delusion self-report inventories such as the PDI-21 may be of utility in identifying sub-syndromes in SSD. From the current study, a Paranoid-Predominant form may be most distinctive, with features including less cognitive impairment and a stronger association with cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D van der Vaart
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Yizhou Ma
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joshua Chiappelli
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Heather Bruce
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mark D Kvarta
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alia Warner
- Louis A Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaoming Du
- Louis A Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bhim M Adhikari
- Louis A Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hemalatha Sampath
- Louis A Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter Kochunov
- Louis A Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - L Elliot Hong
- Louis A Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
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Feola B, Moussa-Tooks AB, Sheffield JM, Heckers S, Woodward ND, Blackford JU. Threat Responses in Schizophrenia: A Negative Valence Systems Framework. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2024; 26:9-25. [PMID: 38183600 PMCID: PMC10962319 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-023-01479-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Emotions are prominent in theories and accounts of schizophrenia but are largely understudied compared to cognition. Utilizing the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) Negative Valence Systems framework, we review the current knowledge of emotions in schizophrenia. Given the pivotal role of threat responses in theories of schizophrenia and the substantial evidence of altered threat responses, we focus on three components of Negative Valence Systems tied to threat responses: responses to acute threat, responses to potential threat, and sustained threat. RECENT FINDINGS Individuals with schizophrenia show altered responses to neutral stimuli during acute threat, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis connectivity in response to potential threat, and threat responses associated with sustained threat. Our review concludes that Negative Valence Systems are altered in schizophrenia; however, the level and evidence of alterations vary across the types of threat responses. We suggest avenues for future research to further understand and intervene on threat responses in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandee Feola
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1601 23rd Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA.
| | - Alexandra B Moussa-Tooks
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1601 23rd Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Julia M Sheffield
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1601 23rd Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
| | - Stephan Heckers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1601 23rd Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
| | - Neil D Woodward
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1601 23rd Avenue South, Nashville, TN, 37212, USA
| | - Jennifer U Blackford
- Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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14
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Hsu CW, Stahl D, Mouchlianitis E, Peters E, Vamvakas G, Keppens J, Watson M, Schmidt N, Jacobsen P, McGuire P, Shergill S, Kabir T, Hirani T, Yang Z, Yiend J. User-Centered Development of STOP (Successful Treatment for Paranoia): Material Development and Usability Testing for a Digital Therapeutic for Paranoia. JMIR Hum Factors 2023; 10:e45453. [PMID: 38064256 PMCID: PMC10746980 DOI: 10.2196/45453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paranoia is a highly debilitating mental health condition. One novel intervention for paranoia is cognitive bias modification for paranoia (CBM-pa). CBM-pa comes from a class of interventions that focus on manipulating interpretation bias. Here, we aimed to develop and evaluate new therapy content for CBM-pa for later use in a self-administered digital therapeutic for paranoia called STOP ("Successful Treatment of Paranoia"). OBJECTIVE This study aimed to (1) take a user-centered approach with input from living experts, clinicians, and academics to create and evaluate paranoia-relevant item content to be used in STOP and (2) engage with living experts and the design team from a digital health care solutions company to cocreate and pilot-test the STOP mobile app prototype. METHODS We invited 18 people with living or lived experiences of paranoia to create text exemplars of personal, everyday emotionally ambiguous scenarios that could provoke paranoid thoughts. Researchers then adapted 240 suitable exemplars into corresponding intervention items in the format commonly used for CBM training and created 240 control items for the purpose of testing STOP. Each item included newly developed, visually enriching graphics content to increase the engagement and realism of the basic text scenarios. All items were then evaluated for their paranoia severity and readability by living experts (n=8) and clinicians (n=7) and for their item length by the research team. Items were evenly distributed into six 40-item sessions based on these evaluations. Finalized items were presented in the STOP mobile app, which was co-designed with a digital health care solutions company, living or lived experts, and the academic team; user acceptance was evaluated across 2 pilot tests involving living or lived experts. RESULTS All materials reached predefined acceptable thresholds on all rating criteria: paranoia severity (intervention items: ≥1; control items: ≤1, readability: ≥3, and length of the scenarios), and there was no systematic difference between the intervention and control group materials overall or between individual sessions within each group. For item graphics, we also found no systematic differences in users' ratings of complexity (P=.68), attractiveness (P=.15), and interest (P=.14) between intervention and control group materials. User acceptance testing of the mobile app found that it is easy to use and navigate, interactive, and helpful. CONCLUSIONS Material development for any new digital therapeutic requires an iterative and rigorous process of testing involving multiple contributing groups. Appropriate user-centered development can create user-friendly mobile health apps, which may improve face validity and have a greater chance of being engaging and acceptable to the target end users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Che-Wei Hsu
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Stahl
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Emmanuelle Peters
- Department of Psychology, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
- South London and Maudsley National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - George Vamvakas
- Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jeroen Keppens
- Department of Informatics, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Miles Watson
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nora Schmidt
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Philip McGuire
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sukhi Shergill
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Kabir
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tia Hirani
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ziyang Yang
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Yiend
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
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15
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Morrison AP, Gonçalves CC, Peel H, Larkin A, Bowe SE. Identifying types of problems and relative priorities in the problem lists of participants in CBT for psychosis trials. Behav Cogn Psychother 2023; 51:633-644. [PMID: 37170808 DOI: 10.1017/s1352465822000583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is wide variation in the problems prioritised by people with psychosis in cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp). While research trials and mental health services have often prioritised reduction in psychiatric symptoms, service users may prioritise issues not directly related to psychosis. This discrepancy suggests potential challenges in treatment outcome research. AIMS The present study aimed to examine the types of problems that were recorded on problem lists generated in CBTp trials. METHOD Problem and goals lists for 110 participants were extracted from CBTp therapy notes. Subsequently, problems were coded into 23 distinct categories by pooling together items that appeared thematically related. RESULTS More than half of participants (59.62%) listed a non-psychosis-related priority problem, and 22.12% did not list any psychosis related problems. Chi-square tests indicated there was no difference between participants from early intervention (EI) and other services in terms of priority problem (χ2 = 0.06, p = .804), but that those from EI were more likely to include any psychosis-related problems in their lists (χ2 = 6.66, p = .010). CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest that psychiatric symptom reduction is not the primary goal of CBTp for most service users, particularly those who are not under the care of EI services. The implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony P Morrison
- Psychosis Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Cláudia C Gonçalves
- Psychosis Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Heather Peel
- Psychosis Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Amanda Larkin
- Psychosis Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Samantha E Bowe
- Psychosis Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
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16
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Mehl S. Virtual reality treatments for patients with persecutory delusions: new developments and new questions. Lancet Psychiatry 2023; 10:818-819. [PMID: 37742701 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(23)00303-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Mehl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy and Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
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17
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Freeman D, Lister R, Waite F, Galal U, Yu LM, Lambe S, Beckley A, Bold E, Jenner L, Diamond R, Kirkham M, Twivy E, Causier C, Carr L, Saidel S, Day R, Beacco A, Rovira A, Ivins A, Nah R, Slater M, Clark DM, Rosebrock L. Automated virtual reality cognitive therapy versus virtual reality mental relaxation therapy for the treatment of persistent persecutory delusions in patients with psychosis (THRIVE): a parallel-group, single-blind, randomised controlled trial in England with mediation analyses. Lancet Psychiatry 2023; 10:836-847. [PMID: 37742702 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(23)00257-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persecutory delusions are a major psychiatric problem that often do not respond sufficiently to standard pharmacological or psychological treatments. We developed a new brief automated virtual reality (VR) cognitive treatment that has the potential to be used easily in clinical services. We aimed to compare VR cognitive therapy with an alternative VR therapy (mental relaxation), with an emphasis on understanding potential mechanisms of action. METHODS THRIVE was a parallel-group, single-blind, randomised controlled trial across four UK National Health Service trusts in England. Participants were included if they were aged 16 years or older, had a persistent (at least 3 months) persecutory delusion held with at least 50% conviction, reported feeling threatened when outside with other people, and had a primary diagnosis from the referring clinical team of a non-affective psychotic disorder. We randomly assigned (1:1) patients to either THRIVE VR cognitive therapy or VR mental relaxation, using a permuted blocks algorithm with randomly varying block size, stratified by severity of delusion. Usual care continued for all participants. Each VR therapy was provided in four sessions over approximately 4 weeks, supported by an assistant psychologist or clinical psychologist. Trial assessors were masked to group allocation. Outcomes were assessed at 0, 2 (therapy mid-point), 4 (primary endpoint, end of treatment), 8, 16, and 24 weeks. The primary outcome was persecutory delusion conviction, assessed by the Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scale (PSYRATS; rated 0-100%). Outcome analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population. We assessed the treatment credibility and expectancy of the interventions and the two mechanisms (defence behaviours and safety beliefs) that the cognitive intervention was designed to target. This trial is prospectively registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN12497310. FINDINGS From Sept 21, 2018, to May 13, 2021 (with a pause due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions from March 16, 2020, to Sept 14, 2020), we recruited 80 participants with persistent persecutory delusions (49 [61%] men, 31 [39%] women, with a mean age of 40 years [SD 13, range 18-73], 64 [80%] White, six [8%] Black, one [1%] Indian, three [4%] Pakistani, and six [8%] other race or ethnicity). We randomly assigned 39 (49%) participants assigned to VR cognitive therapy and 41 (51%) participants to VR mental relaxation. 33 (85%) participants who were assigned to VR cognitive therapy attended all four sessions, and 35 (85%) participants assigned to VR mental relaxation attended all four sessions. We found no significant differences between the two VR interventions in participant ratings of treatment credibility (adjusted mean difference -1·55 [95% CI -3·68 to 0·58]; p=0·15) and outcome expectancy (-0·91 [-3·42 to 1·61]; p=0·47). 77 (96%) participants provided follow-up data at the primary timepoint. Compared with VR mental relaxation, VR cognitive therapy did not lead to a greater improvement in persecutory delusions (adjusted mean difference -2·16 [-12·77 to 8·44]; p=0·69). Compared with VR mental relaxation, VR cognitive therapy did not lead to a greater reduction in use of defence behaviours (adjusted mean difference -0·71 [-4·21 to 2·79]; p=0·69) or a greater increase in belief in safety (-5·89 [-16·83 to 5·05]; p=0·29). There were 17 serious adverse events unrelated to the trial (ten events in seven participants in the VR cognitive therapy group and seven events in five participants in the VR mental relaxation group). INTERPRETATION The two VR interventions performed similarly, despite the fact that they had been designed to affect different mechanisms. Both interventions had high uptake rates and were associated with large improvements in persecutory delusions but it cannot be determined that the treatments accounted for the change. Immersive technologies hold promise for the treatment of severe mental health problems. However, their use will likely benefit from experimental research on the application of different therapeutic techniques and the effects on a range of potential mechanisms of action. FUNDING Medical Research Council Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme and National Institute for Health and Care Research Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Freeman
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.
| | - Rachel Lister
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley, UK
| | - Felicity Waite
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Ushma Galal
- Oxford Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ly-Mee Yu
- Oxford Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sinéad Lambe
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Ariane Beckley
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Emily Bold
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lucy Jenner
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rowan Diamond
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Miriam Kirkham
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Eve Twivy
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Chiara Causier
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Lydia Carr
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Simone Saidel
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Rebecca Day
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Kettering, UK
| | - Alejandro Beacco
- Event Lab, Faculty of Psychology Spain, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aitor Rovira
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Annabel Ivins
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Kettering, UK
| | - Ryan Nah
- Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Kettering, UK; Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mel Slater
- Event Lab, Faculty of Psychology Spain, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David M Clark
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Laina Rosebrock
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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18
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Freeman D, Loe BS. Explaining paranoia: cognitive and social processes in the occurrence of extreme mistrust. BMJ MENTAL HEALTH 2023; 26:e300880. [PMID: 37945313 PMCID: PMC10649488 DOI: 10.1136/bmjment-2023-300880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paranoia-incorrectly thinking that others are deliberating trying to harm you-causes distress, undermines social interactions and leads to withdrawal. It presents across multiple psychiatric diagnoses. OBJECTIVE The primary aim was to determine the extent that cognitive and social processes may explain paranoia. The secondary aim was to identify explanatory factors that distinguished paranoia and social anxiety. METHODS 10 382 UK adults, quota sampled to match the population for age, gender, ethnicity, income and region, participated in a non-probability survey. All participants completed a paranoia measure and assessments of cognitive and social processes. Structural equation modelling was conducted. FINDINGS 2586 (24.9%) participants described being mistrustful of other people. 1756 (16.9%) participants wanted help to trust more. 66.7% of variance in paranoia was explained by a model comprising (in descending order of importance): within-situation defence behaviours, negative images, negative self-beliefs, discrimination, dissociation, aberrant salience, anxiety sensitivity, agoraphobic distress, worry, less social support, agoraphobic avoidance, less analytical reasoning and alcohol use. All explanatory factors were associated with paranoia and social anxiety. Ten factors were more closely associated with paranoia than social anxiety, including discrimination, hallucinations, negative images, aberrant salience and alcohol use. Nine factors were more closely associated with social anxiety, including less positive self-belief, an external locus of control, worry and less analytical reasoning. CONCLUSIONS Multiple causes are likely to be involved in paranoia. Cognitive and social processes may explain a high degree of paranoia. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Multiple clear targets for intervention to reduce paranoia are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Freeman
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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19
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Tolmeijer E, Waite F, Isham L, Bringmann L, Timmers R, van den Berg A, Schuurmans H, Staring ABP, de Bont P, van Grunsven R, Stulp G, Wijnen B, van der Gaag M, Freeman D, van den Berg D. Testing the combination of Feeling Safe and peer counselling against formulation-based cognitive behaviour therapy to promote psychological wellbeing in people with persecutory delusions: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (the Feeling Safe-NL Trial). Trials 2023; 24:644. [PMID: 37798792 PMCID: PMC10557156 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07661-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persecutory delusions are strong threat beliefs about others' negative intentions. They can have a major impact on patients' day-to-day life. The Feeling Safe Programme is a new translational cognitive-behaviour therapy that helps patients modify threat beliefs and relearn safety by targeting key psychological causal factors. A different intervention approach, with growing international interest, is peer counselling to facilitate personal recovery. Combining these two approaches is a potential avenue to maximize patient outcomes. This combination of two different treatments will be tested as the Feeling Safe-NL Programme, which aims to promote psychological wellbeing. We will test whether Feeling Safe-NL is more effective and more cost-effective in improving mental wellbeing and reducing persecutory delusions than the current guideline intervention of formulation-based CBT for psychosis (CBTp). METHODS A single-blind parallel-group randomized controlled trial for 190 out-patients who experience persecutory delusions and low mental wellbeing. Patients will be randomized (1:1) to Feeling Safe-NL (Feeling Safe and peer counselling) or to formulation-based CBTp, both provided over a period of 6 months. Participants in both conditions are offered the possibility to self-monitor their recovery process. Blinded assessments will be conducted at 0, 6 (post-treatment), 12, and 18 months. The primary outcome is mental wellbeing. The overall effect over time (baseline to 18-month follow-up) and the effects at each timepoint will be determined. Secondary outcomes include the severity of the persecutory delusion, general paranoid ideation, patient-chosen therapy outcomes, and activity. Service use data and quality of life data will be collected for the health-economic evaluation. DISCUSSION The Feeling Safe-NL Trial is the first to evaluate a treatment for people with persecutory delusions, while using mental wellbeing as the primary outcome. It will also provide the first evaluation of the combination of a peer counselling intervention and a CBT-based program for recovery from persecutory delusions. TRIAL REGISTRATION Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN25766661 (retrospectively registered 7 July 2022).
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Tolmeijer
- Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University and Amsterdam Public Health Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Psychosis, Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, The Netherlands.
| | - Felicity Waite
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Louise Isham
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Laura Bringmann
- Department of Psychometrics and Statistics, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robin Timmers
- Voice-Hearing Support and Recovery-Team, RIBW Nijmegen and Rivierenland, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- University of Applied Sciences Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan van den Berg
- Department of Health, Wellbeing and Sport, Zadkine College Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Anton B P Staring
- ABC Department for First Episode Psychosis, Altrecht Psychiatric Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Paul de Bont
- Mental Health Organizations Oost Brabant, Boekel, The Netherlands
| | - Rob van Grunsven
- Department of Psychosis, Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Stulp
- Department of Sociology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Wijnen
- Centre of Economic Evaluation and Machine Learning, Trimbos Institute (Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction), Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark van der Gaag
- Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University and Amsterdam Public Health Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Freeman
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford and Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - David van den Berg
- Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University and Amsterdam Public Health Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychosis, Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, The Netherlands
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20
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Korff S, Lincoln T. [Cognitive-behavioural approaches to delusions]. Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol 2023; 73:413-429. [PMID: 37793422 DOI: 10.1055/a-2106-8782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Delusional beliefs can have serious impact on peoples' everyday life. They are often associated with strong negative emotions and can complicate relationships with other people- In severe cases, patients may even organize their everyday lives entirely around their delusional beliefs. In recent years, psychological approaches have come to be seen as an essential parts of an integrative treatment concept. This article gives an overview of the cognitive-behavioural approach to delusions.
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21
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Bortolon C, Baeyens C, Raffard S. Hooked on a memory: How rumination about past positive events might contribute to grandiose ideas? BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2023; 62:556-572. [PMID: 37089072 DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Dwelling about positive experiences has been found to be positively related to mania and grandiose ideas. Nevertheless, besides some important limitations, past research has also neglected the nature (or characteristics) of memories individuals dwell on, and that might be specifically associated with grandiose ideas. Thus, the present study aimed to replicate previous studies while considering the role of specificity and the importance of memory used to increase grandiose feelings. METHOD In total, 219 participants were included and, after completing the memory induction, were randomized to either the rumination condition or the distraction condition. They also completed different questionnaires assessing positive rumination and grandiose ideas. RESULTS Overall, rumination, compared to the distraction condition, led to the maintenance of grandiose ideas and positive affect from T2 to T3. Regression analysis showed that the specificity of memory was associated with grandiose ideas at T2, which predicted grandiose ideas at T3. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm rumination's causal role in forming grandiose ideas. We also found that autobiographical memory and, more specifically, the capacity to recall past positive experiences coupled with repeatedly thinking about them might constitute a fundamental pathway leading to the persistence of such beliefs. The use of a non-clinical sample limits the results and needs replication in clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Bortolon
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, LIP/PC2S, Grenoble, France
- C3R - Réhabilitation Psychosociale et Remédiation Cognitive, Centre Hospitalier Alpes Isère, Grenoble, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
| | - Céline Baeyens
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, LIP/PC2S, Grenoble, France
| | - Stéphane Raffard
- Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France
- University Department of Adult Psychiatry, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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22
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Brown P, Crabtree A. Worry Intervention in an Older Adult With a Persecutory Delusion: A Single Case Experimental Design. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY IN EUROPE 2023; 5:e11173. [PMID: 38356897 PMCID: PMC10863639 DOI: 10.32872/cpe.11173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background This report presents the single case of Jack, a 67-year-old referred to our Older Adult Community Mental Health Team (OA CMHT) for his distressing persecutory delusion and high levels of worry. Jack also reported learning difficulties and autistic traits, although neither were formally diagnosed. Method Ten sessions of worry intervention taken from The Feeling Safe Programme worry module were used to reduce Jack's time spent worrying and increase his engagement in meaningful activity. Weekly face-to-face sessions were held, with Jack's brother acting as a co-therapist. Adaptations to the intervention were made based on Jack's learning preferences. An AB single case experimental design was adopted to compare Jack's scores on measures of worry, paranoia and delusional conviction, and wellbeing and daily functioning before and after intervention. Results Results demonstrate the worry intervention improved Jack's scores on all measures to a clinically significant degree. Conclusions This is the first known report of applying the worry intervention to an older adult. The results show the intervention can be of considerable benefit in terms of reducing worry and paranoia, in the context of both older age and suspected neurodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poppy Brown
- Oxford Institute for Clinical Psychology Training and Research, Oxford Health NHS Foundation trust and University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Crabtree
- Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, United Kingdom
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Waite F, Diamond R, Collett N, Bold E, Chadwick E, Freeman D. Body image concerns in patients with persecutory delusions. Psychol Med 2023; 53:4121-4129. [PMID: 35387699 PMCID: PMC10317811 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722000800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persecutory fears build on feelings of vulnerability that arise from negative views of the self. Body image concerns have the potential to be a powerful driver of feelings of vulnerability. Body image concerns are likely raised in patients with psychosis given the frequent weight gain. We examined for the first-time body esteem - the self-evaluation of appearance - in relation to symptom and psychological correlates in patients with current persecutory delusions. METHODS One-hundred and fifteen patients with persecutory delusions in the context of non-affective psychosis completed assessments of body image, self-esteem, body mass index (BMI), psychiatric symptoms and well-being. Body esteem was also assessed in 200 individuals from the general population. RESULTS Levels of body esteem were much lower in patients with psychosis than non-clinical controls (d = 1.2, p < 0.001). In patients, body esteem was lower in women than men, and in the overweight or obese BMI categories than the normal weight range. Body image concerns were associated with higher levels of depression (r = -0.55, p < 0.001), negative self-beliefs (r = -0.52, p < 0.001), paranoia (r = -0.25, p = 0.006) and hallucinations (r = -0.21, p = 0.025). Body image concerns were associated with lower levels of psychological wellbeing (r = 0.41, p < 0.001), positive self-beliefs (r = 0.40, p < 0.001), quality of life (r = 0.23, p = 0.015) and overall health (r = 0.31, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Patients with current persecutory delusions have low body esteem. Body image concerns are associated with poorer physical and mental health, including more severe psychotic experiences. Improving body image for patients with psychosis is a plausible target of intervention, with the potential to result in a wide range of benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicity Waite
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Rowan Diamond
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Nicola Collett
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Emily Bold
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Daniel Freeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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Farcas A, Campbell M, Wong C, Iftene F. Is befriending a valuable intervention in schizophrenia? A scoping review. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1189772. [PMID: 37333929 PMCID: PMC10274138 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1189772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic mental disorder that involves disruptions in cognitive processes, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions. Psychotherapeutic and social integration practices have increasingly been added to the pharmacological treatment in an effort to improve the level of functioning and the quality of life of individuals affected by this condition. Befriending, defined as a one-on-one companionship provided by a volunteer who aims to act as an emotionally supportive liaison, is hypothesized to be an effective such intervention, offering support for building and maintaining social relationships in the community. Despite its increase in popularity and acceptance, befriending remains poorly understood and under-researched. Methods We performed a systematic search for studies targeting befriending either as an intervention or a controlled condition in studies on schizophrenia. Searches were performed in four databases: APA PsycInfo, Pubmed, Medline and EBSCO. The keywords "schizophrenia," AND "befriending," were searched for on all databases. Results The search yielded 93 titles and abstracts, of which 18 met the criteria for inclusion. The studies included in this review have all incorporated befriending as an intervention or a controlled condition, as per our search criteria, and aimed at depicting the value and feasibility of this intervention to address social and clinical deficits in individuals with schizophrenia. Conclusion The studies selected for this scoping review revealed inconsistent findings regarding the effect of befriending on overall symptoms and the subjective reporting of quality of life in individuals with schizophrenia. This inconsistency may be attributed to differences between the studies and their specific limitations.
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Buck B, Wingerson M, Tauscher JS, Enkema M, Wang W, Campbell AT, Ben-Zeev D. Using Smartphones to Identify Momentary Characteristics of Persecutory Ideation Associated With Functional Disability. SCHIZOPHRENIA BULLETIN OPEN 2023; 4:sgad021. [PMID: 37601285 PMCID: PMC10439515 DOI: 10.1093/schizbullopen/sgad021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Though often a feature of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, persecutory ideation (PI) is also common in other psychiatric disorders as well as among individuals who are otherwise healthy. Emerging technologies allow for a more thorough understanding of the momentary phenomenological characteristics that determine whether PI leads to significant distress and dysfunction. This study aims to identify the momentary phenomenological features of PI associated with distress, dysfunction, and need for clinical care. Methods A total of 231 individuals with at least moderate PI from 43 US states participated in a study involving 30 days of data collection using a smartphone data collection system combining ecological momentary assessment and passive sensors, wherein they reported on occurrence of PI as well as related appraisals, responses, and cooccurring states. Most (N = 120, 51.9%) participants reported never having received treatment for their PI, while 50 participants had received inpatient treatment (21.6%), and 60 (26.4%) had received outpatient care only. Results Individuals with greater functional disability did not differ in PI frequency but were more likely at the moment to describe threats as important to them, to ruminate about those threats, to experience distress related to them, and to change their behavior in response. Groups based on treatment-seeking patterns largely did not differ in baseline measures or momentary phenomenology of PI as assessed by self-report or passive sensors. Conclusions Smartphone data collection allows for granular assessment of PI-related phenomena. Functional disability is associated with differences in appraisals of and responses to PI at the moment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Buck
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Mary Wingerson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Justin S Tauscher
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Matthew Enkema
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Weichen Wang
- Department of Computer Science, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
| | | | - Dror Ben-Zeev
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Sheffield JM, Suthaharan P, Leptourgos P, Corlett PR. Belief Updating and Paranoia in Individuals With Schizophrenia. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2022; 7:1149-1157. [PMID: 35430406 PMCID: PMC9827723 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2022.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persecutory delusions are among the most common delusions in schizophrenia and represent the extreme end of the paranoia continuum. Paranoia is accompanied by significant worry and distress. Identifying cognitive mechanisms underlying paranoia is critical for advancing treatment. We hypothesized that aberrant belief updating, which is related to paranoia in human and animal models, would also contribute to persecutory beliefs in individuals with schizophrenia. METHODS Belief updating was assessed in 42 participants with schizophrenia and 44 healthy control participants using a 3-option probabilistic reversal learning task. Hierarchical Gaussian Filter was used to estimate computational parameters of belief updating. Paranoia was measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and the revised Green et al. Paranoid Thoughts Scale. Unusual thought content was measured with the Psychosis Symptom Rating Scale and the Peters et al. Delusions Inventory. Worry was measured using the Dunn Worry Questionnaire. RESULTS Paranoia was significantly associated with elevated win-switch rate and prior beliefs about volatility both in schizophrenia and across the whole sample. These relationships were specific to paranoia and did not extend to unusual thought content or measures of anxiety. We observed a significant indirect effect of paranoia on the relationship between prior beliefs about volatility and worry. CONCLUSIONS This work provides evidence that relationships between belief updating parameters and paranoia extend to schizophrenia, may be specific to persecutory beliefs, and contribute to theoretical models implicating worry in the maintenance of persecutory delusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Sheffield
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
| | - Praveen Suthaharan
- Department of Psychiatry, Connecticut Mental Health Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Pantelis Leptourgos
- Department of Psychiatry, Connecticut Mental Health Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Philip R Corlett
- Department of Psychiatry, Connecticut Mental Health Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
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Ward T, Hardy A, Holm R, Collett N, Rus‐Calafell M, Sacadura C, McGourty A, Vella C, East A, Rea M, Harding H, Emsley R, Greenwood K, Freeman D, Fowler D, Kuipers E, Bebbington P, Garety P. SlowMo therapy, a new digital blended therapy for fear of harm from others: An account of therapy personalisation within a targeted intervention. Psychol Psychother 2022; 95:423-446. [PMID: 35019210 PMCID: PMC9306634 DOI: 10.1111/papt.12377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES SlowMo therapy is a pioneering blended digital therapy for paranoia, augmenting face-to-face therapy with an interactive 'webapp' and a mobile app. A recent large-scale trial demonstrated small-moderate effects on paranoia alongside improvements in self-esteem, worry, well-being and quality of life. This paper provides a comprehensive account of therapy personalisation within this targeted approach. DESIGN Case examples illustrate therapy delivery and descriptive data are presented on personalised thought content. METHOD Thought content was extracted from the webapp (n = 140 participants) and coded using newly devised categories: Worries: (1) Persecutory, (2) Negative social evaluation, (3) Negative self-concept, (4) Loss/life stresses, (5) Sensory-perceptual experiences and (6) Health anxieties. Safer thoughts: (1) Safer alternative (specific alternatives to worries), (2) Second-wave (generalised) coping, (3) Positive self-concept, (4) Positive activities and (5) Third-wave (mindfulness-based) coping. Data on therapy fidelity are also presented. RESULTS Worries: 'Persecutory' (92.9% of people) and 'Negative social evaluation' (74.3%) were most common. 'General worries/ life stresses' (31.4%) and 'Negative self-concept' (22.1%) were present in a significant minority; 'Health anxieties' (10%) and 'Sensory-perceptual' (10%) were less common. Safer thoughts: 'Second-wave (general) coping' (85%), 'Safer alternatives' (76.4%), 'Positive self-concept' (65.7%) and 'Positive activities' (64.3%) were common with 'Third-wave' (mindfulness) coping observed for 30%. Fidelity: Only three therapy withdrawals were therapy related. Session adherence was excellent (mean = 15.2/16; SD = 0.9). Behavioural work was conducted with 71% of people (119/168). CONCLUSION SlowMo therapy delivers a targeted yet personalised approach. Potential mechanisms of action extend beyond reasoning. Implications for cognitive models of paranoia and causal interventionist approaches are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Ward
- Department of PsychologyInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonLondonUK,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Amy Hardy
- Department of PsychologyInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonLondonUK,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Rebecca Holm
- Department of PsychologyInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | - Nicola Collett
- Department of PsychiatryOxford UniversityOxfordUK,Oxford Health NHS Foundation TrustOxfordUK,Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training and ResearchOxford UniversityOxfordUK
| | - Mar Rus‐Calafell
- Department of PsychiatryOxford UniversityOxfordUK,Oxford Health NHS Foundation TrustOxfordUK,Mental Health Research and Treatment CenterFaculty of PsychologyRuhr‐Universität BochumBochumGermany
| | | | | | - Claire Vella
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation TrustWorthingUK,School of PsychologyUniversity of SussexBrightonUK
| | - Anna East
- Department of PsychiatryOxford UniversityOxfordUK,Oxford Health NHS Foundation TrustOxfordUK
| | - Michaela Rea
- Department of PsychologyInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | - Helen Harding
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Richard Emsley
- Department of Biostatistics and Health InformaticsInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Daniel Freeman
- Department of PsychiatryOxford UniversityOxfordUK,Oxford Health NHS Foundation TrustOxfordUK
| | - David Fowler
- Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation TrustWorthingUK,School of PsychologyUniversity of SussexBrightonUK
| | - Elizabeth Kuipers
- Department of PsychologyInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Philippa Garety
- Department of PsychologyInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and NeuroscienceKing’s College LondonLondonUK,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
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Subjective experience and meaning of delusions in psychosis: a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis. Lancet Psychiatry 2022; 9:458-476. [PMID: 35523211 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(22)00104-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delusions are a common transdiagnostic feature of psychotic disorders, and their treatment remains suboptimal. Despite the pressing need to better understand the nature, meaning, and course of these symptoms, research into the lived experience of delusional phenomena in psychosis is scarce. Thus, we aimed to explore the lived experience and subjective apprehension of delusions in help-seeking individuals with psychosis, regardless of diagnosis and thematic content of the delusion. METHODS In our systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science for qualitative studies published in English from database inception, with the last search on Sept 9, 2021. Grey literature search and hand-searching of relevant journals were also done. Studies were eligible if they provided an analysis of lived experience of delusions or predelusional phenomena presented from the perspective of individuals (age 14-65 years) who had developed a clinical high-risk stage of psychosis, or a diagnosable affective or non-affective psychotic disorder (as clinically defined, self-reported, or assessed within the primary study). Studies with only a subset of relevant participants were eligible only if data for the population of interest were reported separately. Studies that did not discriminate between the experience of delusion and other positive symptoms (eg, hallucinations) were included only if data for delusions were reported separately or could be extracted. First-person accounts (and author interpretations) discussing changes in the sense of self, lived world, and meaning in relation to delusions were extracted and synthesised using a novel thematic synthesis approach informed by a critical realist stance and a phenomenological theoretical framework. Analytic themes were developed into a new overarching framework for understanding the emergence of delusional phenomena. The study was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020222104. FINDINGS Of the 3265 records screened, 2115 were identified after duplicate removal. Of these, 1982 were excluded after title and abstract screening and 106 after full-text eligibility assessment. Of the 27 studies entering quality assessment, 24 eligible studies were included in the qualitative evidence synthesis, representing the perspectives of 373 help-seeking individuals with lived experience of delusions in the context of psychosis. Gender was reported as male (n=210), female (n=110), transgender (n=1), or not reported (n=52). Only 13 studies reported ethnicity, with White being predominant. The age of most participants ranged from 15 to 65 years. We found no eligible studies investigating subclinical or predelusional experiences in at-risk mental state populations through qualitative methods. Most studies were undertaken in western, educated, industrialised, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) societies, and most included participants had received or self-reported a diagnosis within the schizophrenia spectrum. Studies differed in relation to whether they focused on one kind or theme of delusion or delusional phenomena more generally as a unified category. Three superordinate themes relating to experiential changes and meanings in delusion were identified: (1) a radical rearrangement of the lived world dominated by intense emotions; (2) doubting, losing, and finding oneself again within delusional realities; and (3) searching for meaning, belonging, and coherence beyond mere dysfunction. Based on the review findings and thematic synthesis, we propose the Emergence Model of Delusion to advance understanding of delusional phenomena in psychosis. INTERPRETATION Delusions are best understood as strongly individualised and inherently complex phenomena emerging from a dynamic interplay between interdependent subpersonal, personal, interpersonal, and sociocultural processes. Integrative approaches to research on delusion, which consider their potential adaptiveness and favour explanatory pluralism, might be advantageous. Effective clinical care for individuals with psychosis might need adapting to match more closely, and take account of, the subjective experience and meaning of delusions as they are lived through, which might also help redress power imbalances and enduring epistemic injustices in mental health. FUNDING Priestley Scholars, Wellcome Trust.
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McLeod HJ. Splitting Things Apart to Put Them Back Together Again: A Targeted Review and Analysis of Psychological Therapy RCTs Addressing Recovery From Negative Symptoms. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:826692. [PMID: 35633793 PMCID: PMC9133443 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.826692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Negative symptoms have attracted growing attention as a psychological treatment target and the past 10 years has seen an expansion of mechanistic studies and clinical trials aimed at improving treatment options for this frequently neglected sub-group of people diagnosed with schizophrenia. The recent publication of several randomized controlled trials of psychological treatments that pre-specified negative symptoms as a primary outcome warrants a carefully targeted review and analysis, not least because these treatments have generally returned disappointing therapeutic benefits. This mini-review dissects these trials and offers an account of why we continue to have significant gaps in our understanding of how to support recovery in people troubled by persistent negative symptoms. Possible explanations for mixed trial results include a failure to separate the negative symptom phenotype into the clinically relevant sub-types that will respond to mechanistically targeted treatments. For example, the distinction between experiential and expressive deficits as separate components of the wider negative symptom construct points to potentially different treatment needs and techniques. The 10 negative symptom-focused RCTs chosen for analysis in this mini-review present over 16 different categories of treatment techniques spanning a range of cognitive, emotional, behavioral, interpersonal, and metacognitive domains of functioning. The argument is made that treatment development will advance more rapidly with the use of more precisely targeted psychological treatments that match interventions to a focused range of negative symptom maintenance processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamish J. McLeod
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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30
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Freeman D, Lambe S, Kabir T, Petit A, Rosebrock L, Yu LM, Dudley R, Chapman K, Morrison A, O'Regan E, Aynsworth C, Jones J, Murphy E, Powling R, Galal U, Grabey J, Rovira A, Martin J, Hollis C, Clark DM, Waite F, Andleeb H, Bergin A, Bold E, Bond J, Bransby-Adams K, Brown S, Chan C, Chauhan N, Craven M, Freeman J, Geddes J, Goodsell A, Jenner L, Kenny A, Leal J, Mitchell J, Peel H, Pervez M, Prouten E, Roberts E, Robotham D, Walker H, West J. Automated virtual reality therapy to treat agoraphobic avoidance and distress in patients with psychosis (gameChange): a multicentre, parallel-group, single-blind, randomised, controlled trial in England with mediation and moderation analyses. Lancet Psychiatry 2022; 9:375-388. [PMID: 35395204 PMCID: PMC9010306 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(22)00060-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Automated delivery of psychological therapy using immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR) might greatly increase the availability of effective help for patients. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an automated VR cognitive therapy (gameChange) to treat avoidance and distress in patients with psychosis, and to analyse how and in whom it might work. METHODS We did a parallel-group, single-blind, randomised, controlled trial across nine National Health Service trusts in England. Eligible patients were aged 16 years or older, with a clinical diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder or an affective diagnosis with psychotic symptoms, and had self-reported difficulties going outside due to anxiety. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either gameChange VR therapy plus usual care or usual care alone, using a permuted blocks algorithm with randomly varying block size, stratified by study site and service type. gameChange VR therapy was provided in approximately six sessions over 6 weeks. Trial assessors were masked to group allocation. Outcomes were assessed at 0, 6 (primary endpoint), and 26 weeks after randomisation. The primary outcome was avoidance of, and distress in, everyday situations, assessed using the self-reported Oxford Agoraphobic Avoidance Scale (O-AS). Outcome analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population (ie, all participants who were assigned to a study group for whom data were available). We performed planned mediation and moderation analyses to test the effects of gameChange VR therapy when added to usual care. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, 17308399. FINDINGS Between July 25, 2019, and May 7, 2021 (with a pause in recruitment from March 16, 2020, to Sept 14, 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions), 551 patients were assessed for eligibility and 346 were enrolled. 231 (67%) patients were men and 111 (32%) were women, 294 (85%) were White, and the mean age was 37·2 years (SD 12·5). 174 patients were randomly assigned to the gameChange VR therapy group and 172 to the usual care alone group. Compared with the usual care alone group, the gameChange VR therapy group had significant reductions in agoraphobic avoidance (O-AS adjusted mean difference -0·47, 95% CI -0·88 to -0·06; n=320; Cohen's d -0·18; p=0·026) and distress (-4·33, -7·78 to -0·87; n=322; -0·26; p=0·014) at 6 weeks. Reductions in threat cognitions and within-situation defence behaviours mediated treatment outcomes. The greater the severity of anxious fears and avoidance, the greater the treatment benefits. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of serious adverse events between the gameChange VR therapy group (12 events in nine patients) and the usual care alone group (eight events in seven patients; p=0·37). INTERPRETATION Automated VR therapy led to significant reductions in anxious avoidance of, and distress in, everyday situations compared with usual care alone. The mediation analysis indicated that the VR therapy worked in accordance with the cognitive model by reducing anxious thoughts and associated protective behaviours. The moderation analysis indicated that the VR therapy particularly benefited patients with severe agoraphobic avoidance, such as not being able to leave the home unaccompanied. gameChange VR therapy has the potential to increase the provision of effective psychological therapy for psychosis, particularly for patients who find it difficult to leave their home, visit local amenities, or use public transport. FUNDING National Institute of Health Research Invention for Innovation programme, National Institute of Health Research Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Freeman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.
| | - Sinéad Lambe
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Ariane Petit
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Laina Rosebrock
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Ly-Mee Yu
- Oxford Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert Dudley
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne, and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Kate Chapman
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Bath, UK
| | - Anthony Morrison
- Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK; Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Eileen O'Regan
- Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Charlotte Aynsworth
- Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne, and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Julia Jones
- Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Elizabeth Murphy
- Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Rosie Powling
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, Bath, UK
| | - Ushma Galal
- Oxford Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jenna Grabey
- Oxford Primary Care Clinical Trials Unit, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Aitor Rovira
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Jennifer Martin
- National Institute for Health Research MindTech MedTech Co-operative, Nottingham, UK; Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Mental Health & Technology Theme, Nottingham, UK
| | - Chris Hollis
- Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Nottingham, UK; National Institute for Health Research MindTech MedTech Co-operative, Nottingham, UK; Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Mental Health & Technology Theme, Nottingham, UK
| | - David M Clark
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Felicity Waite
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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Lawlor C, Vitoratou S, Duffy J, Cooper B, De Souza T, Le Boutillier C, Carter B, Hepworth C, Jolley S. Managing emotions in psychosis: Evaluation of a brief DBT-informed skill group for individuals with psychosis in routine community services. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 61:735-756. [PMID: 35130354 PMCID: PMC9543194 DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Individuals with psychosis report that emotion regulation (ER) difficulties are treatment priorities, yet little is known about how targeted ER interventions may help. We evaluated a new eight‐session Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)–informed skills group specifically adapted for individuals with psychosis: the Managing Emotions Group (MEG) in diverse, inner‐city community services. Method A mixed‐method design was utilised to assess the feasibility (acceptability and potential clinical impact) of local delivery of MEG. Uptake, completion (≥50% of sessions), post‐session satisfaction ratings, and thematic analysis of qualitative feedback from 12 completers assessed acceptability. Pre–post‐intervention changes in psychological distress, self‐reported ER difficulties, and adaptive ER skill use assessed potential clinical impact. Results Forty‐eight individuals (81% of attenders) completed the intervention (Mage = 43, 54% female) of whom 39 completed pre‐ and post‐group measures. Participants reported high satisfaction and meaningful improvements in understanding and managing emotions, with positive impact on daily life. Self‐reported psychological distress, ER difficulties, and adaptive ER skill use significantly improved, with medium‐to‐large pre‐post effects (d = 0.5–0.7) except lack of emotional clarity (d = 0.3). Conclusions MEG was feasible and acceptable, and a future feasibility randomised controlled trial is warranted. Practitioner points Individuals with psychosis report that support with their emotions is a priority. Brief interventions for emotion regulation difficulties are acceptable to individuals with psychosis and can be feasibly delivered in a local outpatient service. Distress and emotion regulation difficulties and skills improved significantly from pre–post treatment for clients completing the managing emotions group. Further implementation and evaluation are needed to support continued refinement to meet the needs and priorities of individuals with psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Lawlor
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Silia Vitoratou
- Psychometrics and Measurement Lab, Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - James Duffy
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Ben Cooper
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Clair Le Boutillier
- Department of Health Service & Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Ben Carter
- Psychometrics and Measurement Lab, Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Suzanne Jolley
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.,South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Černis E, Molodynski A, Ehlers A, Freeman D. Dissociation in patients with non-affective psychosis: Prevalence, symptom associations, and maintenance factors. Schizophr Res 2022; 239:11-18. [PMID: 34800911 PMCID: PMC8765411 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Dissociation is problematic in its own right for patients with psychosis but may also contribute to the occurrence of psychotic experiences. We therefore set out to estimate in a large cohort of patients with psychosis the prevalence of dissociative experiences, and assess using network models the relationships between dissociation, its potential maintenance mechanisms, and mental health symptoms. 902 patients with non-affective psychosis attending UK mental health services participated. Both an undirected model and a partially directed network model were estimated to identify potential relationships between 'felt sense of anomaly' dissociative experiences, paranoia, hallucinations, psychological wellbeing, sleep, and six potential maintenance mechanisms (affect intolerance, perseverative thinking, general self-efficacy, alexithymia, cognitive appraisals, and cognitive-behavioural responses to dissociation). 617 patients (65.4%) had experienced at least one dissociative symptom regularly over the past fortnight, with the average number experienced being 8.9 (SD = 8.0). Dissociation had direct relationships with paranoia, hallucinations, low psychological wellbeing, cognitive appraisals, cognitive-behavioural responses to dissociation, perseverative thinking, and low alexithymia. Dissociation was a probable cause of hallucinations (94.21% of 50,000 sampled directed acyclic graphs), with a trend towards also being a cause of paranoia (86.25% of 50,000 sampled directed acyclic graphs). Approximately two-thirds of patients with psychosis experience regular dissociative experiences. Dissociation is associated with low psychological wellbeing, and it is likely to have a direct causal influence on psychotic symptoms. Catastrophic cognitive appraisals, cognitive-behavioural responses to dissociation, factors related to affect sensitivity, and perseverative thinking may contribute to the occurrence of dissociation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Černis
- University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
| | - Andrew Molodynski
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
| | - Anke Ehlers
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom; Oxford Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, The Old Rectory, Paradise Square, Oxford OX1 1TW, United Kingdom.
| | - Daniel Freeman
- University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom; Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX, United Kingdom.
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Increasing access to cognitive–behavioural therapy for patients with psychosis by evaluating the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of brief, targeted cognitive–behavioural therapy for distressing voices delivered by assistant psychologists: the GiVE2 trial. BJPsych Open 2021. [PMCID: PMC8388007 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2021.983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is recommended for all patients with psychosis, but is offered to only a minority. This is attributable, in part, to the resource-intensive nature of CBT for psychosis. Responses have included the development of CBT for psychosis in brief and targeted formats, and its delivery by briefly trained therapists. This study explored a combination of these responses by investigating a brief, CBT-informed intervention targeted at distressing voices (the GiVE intervention) administered by a briefly trained workforce of assistant psychologists.
Aims
To explore the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the GiVE intervention when delivered by assistant psychologists to patients with psychosis.
Method
This was a three-arm, feasibility, randomised controlled trial comparing the GiVE intervention, a supportive counselling intervention and treatment as usual, recruiting across two sites, with 1:1:1 allocation and blind post-treatment and follow-up assessments.
Results
Feasibility outcomes were favourable with regard to the recruitment and retention of participants and the adherence of assistant psychologists to therapy and supervision protocols. For the candidate primary outcomes, estimated effects were in favour of GiVE compared with supportive counselling and treatment as usual at post-treatment. At follow-up, estimated effects were in favour of supportive counselling compared with GiVE and treatment as usual, and GiVE compared with treatment as usual.
Conclusions
A definitive trial of the GiVE intervention, delivered by assistant psychologists, is feasible. Adaptations to the GiVE intervention and the design of any future trials may be necessary.
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Fried EI, Koenders MA, Blom JD. Bleuler revisited: on persecutory delusions and their resistance to therapy. Lancet Psychiatry 2021; 8:644-646. [PMID: 34246325 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(21)00240-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eiko I Fried
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden 2333 AK, Netherlands.
| | - Manja A Koenders
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden 2333 AK, Netherlands
| | - Jan Dirk Blom
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden 2333 AK, Netherlands; Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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