A card game for the treatment of delusional ideas: A naturalistic pilot trial
2006

Using a Card Game to Treat Delusions

Sample size: 55 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Khazaal Yasser, Favrod Jérôme, Libbrecht Joël, Finot Sophie Claude, Azoulay Silke, Benzakin Laetitia, Oury-Delamotte Myriam, Follack Christian, Pomini Valentino

Primary Institution: Département de Psychiatrie, Echallens, Switzerland

Hypothesis

Can 'Michael's game' effectively reduce delusional ideas in patients with psychotic symptoms?

Conclusion

The study shows that 'Michael's game' is feasible and effective in reducing delusional ideas in a naturalistic setting.

Supporting Evidence

  • Forty five patients completed the intervention, significantly reducing their conviction and preoccupation scores on the PDI-21.
  • The average number of sessions was 12.2, with a participation level of 74%.
  • The drop-out rate was 18%, which is lower than in other studies.

Takeaway

This study tested a card game that helps people with delusions think differently about their thoughts, and it worked well for many of them.

Methodology

Patients were assessed before and after the intervention using the Peters Delusion Inventory – 21 items (PDI-21).

Potential Biases

Potential biases due to the non-controlled nature of the study and reliance on self-reported data.

Limitations

The study was non-controlled and relied on self-report questionnaires without follow-up measurements.

Participant Demographics

The sample included 55 patients, average age 27 years, consisting of 18 women and 37 men, with various diagnoses including schizophrenia.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.03

Confidence Interval

99% CI for preoccupation and conviction scores

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-244X-6-48

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