dc.contributor.author | Forkert, Ava | |
dc.contributor.author | Freeman, Daniel | |
dc.contributor.author | Waite, Felicity | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2021-07-26T11:23:16Z | |
dc.date.available | 2021-07-26T11:23:16Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2021-06 | |
dc.identifier.citation | Forkert, A., Brown, P., Freeman, D., & Waite, F. (2021). A compassionate imagery intervention for patients with persecutory delusions. Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 1-13. | en |
dc.identifier.uri | https://oxfordhealth-nhs.archive.knowledgearc.net/handle/123456789/879 | |
dc.description | This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. | en |
dc.description.abstract | Negative beliefs about the self, including low self-compassion, have been identified as a putative causal factor in the occurrence of paranoia. Therefore, improving self-compassion may be one route to reduce paranoia.
Aims:
To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential clinical effects of a brief compassionate imagery intervention for patients with persecutory delusions.
Method:
Twelve patients with persecutory delusions received an individual four-session compassionate imagery intervention. Assessments of self-concept and paranoia were completed before treatment, immediately after treatment, and at 1-month follow-up. A qualitative study exploring participants’ experiences of the treatment was also completed.
Results:
Twelve out of 14 eligible patients referred to the study agreed to take part. All participants completed all therapy sessions and assessments. Post-treatment, there were improvements in self-compassion (change score –0.64, 95% CI –1.04, –0.24, d = –1.78), negative beliefs about the self (change score 2.42, 95% CI –0.37, 5.20, d = 0.51), and paranoia (change score 10.08, 95% CI 3.47, 16.69, d = 0.61). There were no serious adverse events. Three themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: ‘effortful learning’, ‘seeing change’ and ‘taking it forward’. Participants described a process of active and effortful engagement in therapy which was rewarded with positive changes, including feeling calmer, gaining clarity, and developing acceptance.
Conclusion:
This uncontrolled feasibility study indicates that a brief compassionate imagery intervention for patients with persecutory delusions is feasible, acceptable, and may lead to clinical benefits. | en |
dc.description.sponsorship | Supported by the NIHR | en |
dc.description.uri | https://doi:10.1017/S1352465821000229 | en |
dc.language.iso | en | en |
dc.subject | Persecutory Delusions | en |
dc.subject | Psychosis | en |
dc.subject | Schizophrenia | en |
dc.title | A compassionate imagery intervention for patients with persecutory delusions | en |
dc.type | Article | en |