Results from a quasi-controlled trial of a “Coping with Voices” group. Part 2

ABSTRACT

Background

This is the second of two papers that investigated the effectiveness of a group-based program known as ‘Coping with Voices’. The first paper reported on the group facilitators experience of delivering the program. This second paper reports the findings from the participants.

Method

Of the 61 participants that gave informed consent to participate in the study 19 did not attend a group, so this provided a natural quasi-control group. The study compared pre and post primary measures for the 42 participants who attended a group. 29 group attendees also provided qualitative data. Secondary measures were measured longitudinally for all 61 participants. Individuals who participated in the program were compared to those individuals who did not.

Results

For the 42 voice hearers who attended Coping with Voices, the quantifiable data showed a significant reduction in negative beliefs about voices, voice severity, distress about voices and the perceived power of the voices. Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The secondary measures show a significant reduction in the number of hospital admissions and an improvement in basis life skills for group attendees versus non-attendees at 12 months follow up.

Discussion

Overall, these findings suggest ‘Coping with Voices’ is feasible, acceptable and worthwhile.

KEYWORDS:

• Hearing voices groups
• Hearing voices
• auditory hallucinations
• cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis
• integrative approaches

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Princess Alexandra Research Foundation. The authors acknowledge Metro South Health Centres for Health Research for facilitation of the Metro South Health Biostatistics Service provided by Queensland Facility for Advanced Bioinformatics (QFAB) and funded by Metro South Study, Education and Research Trust Account (SERTA).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).