Multi-dimensional Investigations of Negative Emotions and Drug-resistant Auditory Verbal Hallucinations in Psychosis

Chinese University of Hong Kong47 enrolled

Overview

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) are commonly reported as source of distress, disability and mortality in schizophrenia. Despite proven efficacy of antipsychotics, many patients still experience drug-refractory AVH. It has been postulated that AVH is maintained by negative emotions. Yet, little is known about the temporal relationship and underlying mechanisms between negative affect and AVH. Utilizing both an ecologically-validated method and brain imaging technique, this study aims to uncover the role of emotions in the maintenance of psychotic symptoms.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders Hallucinations, Auditory

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18 to 65 years * Clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder * Present hallucinations Exclusion Criteria: * Left-handedness * Intellectual disability * Organic psychosis

Locations (1)

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Psychotic symptomatology as measured by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Scale of Assessment for Positive Symptoms (SAPS), and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS)

Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) is an interview-based assessment of the severity of symptoms associated with schizophrenia, including positive, negative, and general psychopathology. Scale of Assessment for Positive Symptoms (SAPS) is an interview-based scale of positive symptoms of schizophrenia. SAPS consists of four areas: hallucinations, delusions, bizarre behaviour and positive formal thought disorder. Each area includes ratings of specific symptoms and a global rating. The Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale (PSYRATS) is a 17-item semi-structured interview measuring the severity of multiple dimensions of auditory hallucinations and delusions, including conviction and duration.

Time frame: Baseline

Depressive symptomatology as measured by Calgary Depression Scale (CDS)

Calgary Depression Scale (CDS) is a nine-item structured interview scale that assesses depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

Time frame: Baseline

Beliefs about voices as measured by Beliefs about Voices Questionnaire - Revised (BAVQ-R)

BAVQ-R is a self-report questionnaire that consists of three subscales pertaining to beliefs about voices: malevolence (i.e. voices as evil and persecutory), benevolence (i.e. voices as helpful), and omnipotence (i.e. voices as controlling and powerful).

Time frame: Baseline

Anxiety severity as measured by Beck anxiety inventory (BAI)

BAI is a self-report questionnaire that measures anxiety severity and unique symptom features that are independent of that in depression, including somatic symptoms and subjective experience of panic and anxiety.

Time frame: 1 week

Mood states as measured by Visual analogue scale (VAS)

A simple visual analogue scale assessing state depression, state anxiety and state happiness will be conducted.

Time frame: 1 week

Secondary Outcomes

Cognitive capacity as measured by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - IV (HK) short form (WAIS-IV)

An instrument developed to assess cognitive ability and the relationship between intellectual functioning and memory of adults. The WAIS-IV (HK) short form includes four subscales - arithmetic, visual puzzle, information, and coding.

Time frame: Baseline

Handedness as measured by Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI)

A self report questionnaire assessing the dominance of one's right or left hand in everyday activities.

Time frame: Baseline