A metacognitive intervention for non-trauma related mental images
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A case series on a brief metacognitive intervention for non-trauma related mental images.
IRAS ID
306129
Contact name
Nithura Sivarajah
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 24 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
Paranoia, also known as delusions, are commonly experienced both within clinical and non-clinical populations. Delusions are firmly held false beliefs about suspicion, mistrust and threat from others. Delusions can be experienced both as verbal thoughts and mental images. Experiencing mental images evokes greater emotional responses than respective verbal thoughts.Given the key theme of future-oriented threat in delusions, it is expected that distressing mental images will cause significant distress in people with paranoia.
Studies aimed at reducing delusions in clinical populations have found that brief symptom-targeted interventions are highly effective. Other studies have also found that interventions with shared properties as their targeting symptom can be helpful, e.g., interventions using imagery-based strategies are effective when targeting mental images.In this study, we plan to develop a novel brief 4 session imagery-based metacognitive intervention targeting non-trauma related mental images. This intervention is not intended as an alternative to existing treatment, but rather to be embedded into existing practice. We aim to assess the acceptability of the intervention and investigate whether it will lead to a reduction in distress and paranoia.
We hope that the study will be meaningful and replicated at larger scales and ultimately wish that the intervention will be used in clinical settings.
Summary of Results
: The present study primarily aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a brief imagery-based metacognitive intervention for distressing future-oriented mental images in psychosis. Eight participants met criteria for the study. There were three phases to the study: (a) assessment phase, (b) intervention phase and (c) follow up phase. Seven participants completed all phases of the study. All phases were completed online using Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Forms.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
22/NS/0084
Date of REC Opinion
10 Aug 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion