Engaging dialogically with auditory hallucinations: design, rationale and baseline sample characteristics of the Talking With Voices pilot trial

ABSTRACT

Aims: The Talking With Voices pilot trial assesses feasibility and acceptability of a novel dialogical intervention to ameliorate distress associated with auditory hallucinations. The results will inform a definitive randomised trial to assess clinical and cost-effectiveness of the intervention.

Method: The trial is single-site with a single-blind (rater) design in which adult participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia-spectrum disorder are randomised to receive either treatment as usual (TAU), or TAU plus up to 26 sessions of Talking With Voices therapy over six months. Participants are assessed at baseline and again at six-month follow-up. The primary outcomes are quantitative and qualitative assessments of feasibility and acceptability amongst patients and healthcare staff. Secondary outcomes will involve clinical measures, including targeted instruments for voice hearing, dissociation, and emotional distress.

Results: Recruitment figures and baseline characteristics of the sample are reported (N=50).

Conclusions: The Talking With Voices pilot trial aims to extend the evidence-base for interventions which use techniques such as dialogue, formulation and trauma-informed working to improve relationships between hearer and voice. Current findings demonstrate that recruitment and treatment allocation targets were met. If shown to be acceptable, the intervention may provide new therapeutic options for voice hearers with a diagnosis of psychosis.

KEYWORDS:

• Auditory hallucinations
• psychotherapy
• psychosis
• dissociation
• treatment outcome research
• hearing Voices Movement

Acknowledgments

This article outlines research funded by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme for EL. This paper presents independent research funded by the NIHR: the views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. The study was facilitated by the Greater Manchester Local Clinical Research Network.

The authors would like to thank Dr. Jacqui Dillon of the English Hearing Voices Network and the members of the Psychosis Research Unit’s Service User Reference Group for their valuable feedback on the trial’s design and research materials.

Disclosure statement

Two authors (EL and DC) have received financial payments for delivering teaching or supervision for the Talking With Voices approach. There are no other reported conflicts of interest.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute for Health Research [PDF-2017-10-050].