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iMAgery focused psychological therapy for persecutory delusions in PSychosis (iMAPS): a multiple baseline experimental case series

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 April 2020

Christopher D.J. Taylor Open the ORCID record for Christopher D.J. Taylor [Opens in a new window] ,
Penny E. Bee ,
James Kelly ,
Richard Emsley  and
Gillian Haddock
Christopher D.J. Taylor*
Affiliation:
Secondary Care Psychological Therapies Service, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Humphrey House, Angouleme Way, BuryML9 0EQ, UK Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Zochonis Building, Brunswick Street, ManchesterM13 9PL, UK
Penny E. Bee
Affiliation:
Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
James Kelly
Affiliation:
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Trust Headquarters, Bury New Road, Prestwich, ManchesterM25 3BL, UK Lancaster University, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Furness College, LancasterLA1 4YG, UK
Richard Emsley
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics and Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, LondonSE5 8AF, UK
Gillian Haddock
Affiliation:
Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Zochonis Building, Brunswick Street, ManchesterM13 9PL, UK Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Trust Headquarters, Bury New Road, Prestwich, ManchesterM25 3BL, UK
*
*Corresponding author. Email: chrisdjtaylor@nhs.net
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Abstract

Background:

Many people with psychosis experience persecutory delusions and report negative schematic beliefs and intrusive mental images which may be maintaining factors for psychotic symptoms.

Aims:

This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a new psychological therapy targeting schemas and images (iMAPS therapy).

Method:

The study used a randomised multiple baseline design. Participants with first episode psychosis were randomised using a multiple baseline design with 2–5 assessments. Six sessions of therapy, consisting of a combination of imagery techniques and imagery rescripting techniques, was used. In each session, participants completed a Mental Imagery in Psychosis Questionnaire (MIPQ) and imagery interview. Mood and delusional beliefs (PSYRATS) were also measured at each session.

Results:

Five participants with first episode psychosis completed the baseline visits and attended all therapy sessions. One participant declined the final assessment. Results demonstrated significant reductions in negative schematic beliefs, delusions, imagery distress and other measures of schema (YSQ, SMI). Although multiple baseline randomisation strengthens the study, it lacked a control arm and blind assessments.

Conclusions:

iMAPS appears a feasible and acceptable treatment for psychosis, and further evaluation is indicated.

Keywords

imageryimagery focused therapypersecutory delusionspsychosisschematic beliefsschizophrenia

Information

Type
Main
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 48 , Issue 5 , September 2020 , pp. 530 - 545
Copyright
© British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2020

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