NCT05982158 Avatar-mediated Therapy Versus Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Persisting Experiences of Hearing Voices
| NCT ID | NCT05982158 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Swinburne University of Technology |
| Condition | Auditory Hallucination |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 212 participants |
| Start Date | 2023-08-08 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-12 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 212 participants in total. It began in 2023-08-08 with a primary completion date of 2026-12.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The aim of this study is to compare the effects of a new psychological therapy, Avatar Therapy, to the current standard therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), in improving outcomes in people living with psychotic disorders who have persisting experiences of hearing voices (auditory verbal hallucinations, AVHs).
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Schizophrenia-related disorder or a mood disorder with psychotic symptoms diagnosis confirmed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM (SCID) * Experiencing current auditory verbal hallucinations as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) item P3 ≥ 4 * Auditory verbal hallucinations present for at least one year * AVHs include significant negative content (PSYRATS item 6 ≥ 2) and/or AVHs are distressing (PSYRATS item item 9 ≥ 2) * Current treatment with antipsychotic medication, or has been treated with antipsychotic medication in the past, with at least two different antipsychotic compounds, and these have been discontinued due to insufficient treatment response and/or poor tolerability. * Access to the internet and a computer or other device on which videoconferencing software can be used * Sufficient fluency in English for meaningful participation * Age 18 or over * Ability to give informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Auditory verbal hallucinations attributable to a primary substance use disorder or organic disorder * Estimated full scale IQ \< 70 (using the Test of Premorbid Functioning, TOPF) * Within the last month or planned at the time of intake: a change of antipsychotic medication, * Current or within the past 3 months receipt of individual psychological therapy for hearing voices, or receipt of electro-convulsive therapy or other brain stimulation treatment; * AVHs in a language not spoken by the therapists.
Contact & Investigator
Neil Thomas
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Swinburne University of Technology
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT05982158 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Auditory Hallucination. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT05982158 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT05982158 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at neilthomas@swin.edu.au for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT05982158 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Hawthorn, Australia.
Who is sponsoring the NCT05982158 clinical trial?
NCT05982158 is sponsored by Swinburne University of Technology. The principal investigator is Neil Thomas at Swinburne University of Technology. The trial plans to enroll 212 participants.