Reducing the frequency and severity of voices: AVATAR Clinical Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Reducing the frequency and severity of auditory hallucinations: A randomised clinical trial of a novel Audio-Visual Assisted Therapy Aid for Refractory auditory hallucinations (AVATAR therapy) compared to supportive counselling.
IRAS ID
117207
Contact name
Thomas Jamieson CRAIG
Contact email
Research summary
Many patients hear voices despite treatment with medication and are often very distressed by these experiences. Cognitive behaviour therapy can help to reduce distress but has little impact on the intensity and frequency of the auditory hallucinations. AVATAR therapy is a new development that has been shown to be helpful in a small pilot study. In this therapy, computer software is used to enable the patient to match a face and voice (an ‘avatar’ ) to the entity they believe they are hearing. Therapist and patient sit in front of two linked computers in separate rooms. The therapist can talk to the patient in his/her own voice or through the ‘voice’ selected by the patient which appears as though coming from the visual representation on the computer screen. Therapy comprises a ‘trialogue’ between patient , the therapist and the avatar. The therapy proceeds by helping the patient to develop skills for responding to the voice and aims to change the balance of power between the subject and the voice, with the goal of reducing distress and increasing confidence to dismiss the voice. The therapy is provided over 6 half hour sessions . Participants are also provided with an MP3 recording of the session and asked to listen to this between sessions. The present study is a replication of the earlier pilot with more rigorous randomised controlled trial methodology , using a larger sample and comparing AVATAR therapy to a supportive counselling approach to control for non-specific aspects of the therapy (eg. a supportive relationship and encouragement to deal with the problems)
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/0482
Date of REC Opinion
26 Apr 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion