Effectiveness of a brief group cognitive behavioral therapy for auditory verbal hallucinations: a 6-month follow-up study.
The current study investigated the effectiveness of a group cognitive behavioral therapy for auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs), the Voices Group. This consists of seven specific sessions. Forty-one participants with schizophrenic or schizoaffective disorders completed a battery of questionnaires. The severity of psychiatric symptoms, beliefs about voices, quality of life, self-esteem, clinical global impression, and functioning were assessed at baseline, before and after intervention, and at the 6-month follow-up. After intervention, there was a statistically significant reduction in the severity of AVHs. This result remained stable at follow-up. The dropout rate was high. Some differences were found in subjective experience of AVHs between the patients who completed the intervention and those who dropped out. Altogether, these findings suggest that a brief intervention has some positive benefits in patients struggling with voices, which remain stable over time.
Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, University Hospitals of Geneva, Chêne-Bourg, Geneva, Switzerland.
Adriano
A
Zanello
Sylvia
S
Mohr
Marco C G
MC
Merlo
Philippe
P
Huguelet
Philippe
P
Rey-Bellet
D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome