A Pilot Study on the Effectiveness of a Group-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Program for Coping with Auditory Hallucinations

Objective: The aim of this study was to prepare a group-based cognitive-behavioral therapy program for patients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders coping with auditory hallucinations, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Method: The study included 12 male inpatients aged between 18 and 55 years from the Manisa Mental Health and Illnesses Hospital that were diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria (SCID-I). The inclusion criteria were the diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, at least 1 hospitalization, the presence of auditory hallucinations, and the absence of alcohol/drug abuse/dependence, organic deficit, and mental/physical disability. In all, 7 patients received routine care plus group CBT and 5 patients received routine care alone. The group treatment program was conducted for 9-10 sessions twice a week. The patients were assessed using SAPS, SANS, the Problem/Symptom Checklist, and the Knowledge of Schizophrenia Questionnaire pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at the 1-year follow-up. The outcomes were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: There was a significant reduction in the severity and frequency of hallucinations, delusions, distress and occupation with auditory hallucinations, negative symptoms, and anxiety in the CBT group after treatment. Additionally, post-treatment outcome in the treatment group didn't change at 1 year follow-up. In the control group, there was no difference between pre-treatment and post-treatment outcome (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The therapy program was considered to be effective in increasing the ability to cope with auditory hallucinations and reducing their frequency for the patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.