Multimodal versus unimodal auditory hallucinations in clinical practice: Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes

Johanna C Badcock; Rachel Brand; Neil Thomas; Mark Hayward; Georgie Paulik

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113754

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Multimodal versus unimodal auditory hallucinations in clinical practice: Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Multimodal versus unimodal auditory hallucinations in clinical practice: Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes

Johanna C Badcock, Rachel Brand, Neil Thomas, Mark Hayward and Georgie Paulik

Psychiatry Research, Vol.297, pp.1-7

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113754

PMID: 33524774

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Abstract

Cognitive behaviour therapy for psychosis

Multimodal hallucinations

Trauma

Auditory verbal hallucinations

Coping strategy enhancement

Unimodal hallucinations

Psychological treatments for hallucinations typically target auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) but neglect the influence of hallucinations in other sensory modalities. This study compared the baseline clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes (following brief Coping Strategy Enhancement) of adult clients (N = 100) with multimodal or unimodal (auditory) hallucinations attending an outpatient service for distressing AVH. The results showed that 72.1% of clients reported multimodal hallucinations in the past month. Group comparisons of most baseline clinical characteristics (AVH features, beliefs about AVH, number of traumatic events, personal and social functioning, negative affect) were non-significant. However, in the subgroup (N = 65) reporting ongoing effects of traumatic events, those with multimodal hallucinations reported significantly higher posttraumatic stress symptoms (d = 0.62). Notably, both multimodal and unimodal hallucination groups showed improvement in AVH distress and frequency post-treatment, but group differences in treatment outcomes were not significant. These findings, in a naturalistic service setting, confirm that multimodal hallucinations are common in people seeking help for distressing AVH and may be associated with higher levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms. Importantly, they also suggest that psychological therapy may be suitable and effective for clients experiencing AVH – irrespective of the presence of hallucinations in other sensory modalities.

Details

Title: Multimodal versus unimodal auditory hallucinations in clinical practice: Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes
Authors: Johanna C Badcock (Author) - Perth Voices Clinic
Rachel Brand (Author) - Swinburne University of Technology
Neil Thomas (Author) - Swinburne University of Technology
Mark Hayward (Author) - University of Sussex
Georgie Paulik (Author) - Perth Voices Clinic
Publication details: Psychiatry Research, Vol.297, pp.1-7
Publisher: Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113754
ISSN: 1872-7123
PMID: 33524774
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Psychology; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Thompson Institute; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99510108502621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Psychiatry

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