Talking With Voices II
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A novel dialogical therapy (Talking With Voices) in comparison to treatment as usual in adults with distressing and persistent auditory hallucinations: A randomised controlled trial to investigate the efficacy of a treatment strategy targeted at trauma-related mechanisms
IRAS ID
322330
Contact name
Eleanor Longden
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN15897915
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
Hearing voices no one else can hear (‘auditory hallucinations’) is associated with a range of negative outcomes, including hospitalisation, self-harm, and social difficulties. Currently, the main treatment is antipsychotic medication and cognitive behavioural therapy for psychosis (CBTp), yet both have variable success rates and are often unavailable for those without a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Furthermore, CBTp does not always address the role of traumatic life events in voice-hearing. To address these unmet needs, our team has assessed the feasibility/acceptability of a new intervention, Talking with Voices (TwV), which involves a therapist directly speaking with the voice while the client repeats its responses out loud. Over time, the therapist learns more about the voice(s) and supports the client and voice(s) to develop a more peaceful relationship. This includes helping the client manage difficult emotions and build a more positive sense of themselves, trying to understand how the voices may relate to adverse life events, and by promoting recovery and reducing voice-related distress. We have already run a small study amongst 50 voice-hearers which showed TwV was an acceptable form of support that could be delivered in the NHS. We now want to run a multisite trial to understand if it is an effective treatment and, if so, what aspects of may be particularly beneficial. The main question is whether TwV improves personal recovery compared to usual treatment (TAU) over an 8-month period and we will also assess its impact on other areas, including voice-related distress, dissociation, and people’s beliefs about themselves. We will recruit 296 participants who will receive 1) TwV + TAU or 2) TAU only. Treatment allocation will be decided by chance. We will complete questionnaires with participants at baseline, 8-months, and 14-months to assess if TwV has been helpful.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0132
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jun 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion