The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Auditory Hallucinations in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Qiubi Tang, Wenqing Zhou, Tao Zheng, Dongmei Ye, Weiye Cao, Fengxia Huang, Xijie He, Mingchuang Peng, Xingbing Huang, Shuixian Yang
Research Square December 3, 2024 preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5365042/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 75 |
| Population | Stable inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia and experiencing auditory hallucinations |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) treatment as usual |
| Duration | Eight weekly sessions; outcomes assessed at baseline and after the 8-week intervention |
| Measures | Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale - Auditory Hallucinations (PSYRATS-AH), Schizophrenia Self-Management Scale (SSMIS), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Adding eight weekly sessions of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to treatment as usual significantly reduced the severity of auditory hallucinations and improved self-management abilities and mindfulness levels in patients with schizophrenia, compared with treatment as usual alone. |
Abstract
Abstract Background Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterized by symptoms such as auditory hallucinations, which can seriously impact patients' quality of life and social functioning. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention to manage these symptoms. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of MBCT on auditory hallucinations, self-management abilities, and mindfulness levels in patients with schizophrenia.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 75 stable inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia and experiencing auditory hallucinations. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group (treatment as usual, TAU, n = 37) or an experimental group receiving MBCT in addition to TAU (n = 38). The intervention consisted of eight weekly sessions of MBCT. Outcome measures, including the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale - Auditory Hallucinations (PSYRATS-AH), the Schizophrenia Self-Management Scale (SSMIS), and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), were assessed at baseline and after the 8-week intervention.
Results: The experimental group demonstrated a significant reduction in the severity of auditory hallucinations (P < 0.001) compared to the control group. Furthermore, the experimental group showed substantial improvements in self-management abilities (P < 0.001) and mindfulness levels (P = 0.025) following the intervention. The study indicates that MBCT effectively enhances patients' ability to manage auditory hallucinations, improves overall self-management, and increases mindfulness levels.
Conclusion: For the management of auditory hallucinations in people with schizophrenia, MBCT is a viable supplementary treatment. It not only reduces the severity of these symptoms but also enhances self-management capabilities and mindfulness levels, contributing to better overall outcomes. Incorporating MBCT into standard care practices could offer a valuable, non-pharmacological option for clinicians in psychiatric settings. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2400088029. Date of
Registration: 09/08/2024.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 8
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
- Meditation is associated with increased brain network integration. Neuroimage September 1, 2017
- The Relationship Between Trait Mindfulness and Affective Symptoms: A Meta-analysis of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) Clinical Psychology Review November 11, 2019
- The effects of Mindfulness Meditation on hallucination and delusion in severe schizophrenia patients with more than 20 years’ medical history CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics September 28, 2018
- Auditory verbal hallucinations in persons with and without a need for care. Schizophrenia Bulletin July 2014
and 3 more in the library