Multi-family treatment for patients with persistent auditory hallucinations and their relatives: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To test feasibility and effectiveness of multi-family treatment (MFT) for patients with persistent auditory hallucinations.


METHODS
A naturalistic pilot study with 6-month follow-up of 12 patients and 10 relatives. Pre- and post-treatment assessment concerned compliance, satisfaction, subjective burden, and control of voices, psychopathology, quality of life, social functioning and burden on the family.


RESULTS
Significant improvements were found in all domains. Compliance and satisfaction with treatment were satisfactory. Self-help contacts outside treatment sessions increased over time.


CONCLUSIONS
MFT may be considered a potentially effective form of additional treatment for refractory voice hearers.
Jenner
J A
JA
Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. j.a.jenner@psy.umcg.nl
van de Willige
G
G
Wiersma
D
D
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D019260:Expressed Emotion; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D018511:Systems Integration; D016896:Treatment Outcome