Training to Change Delusional Thinking
Author Information
Author(s): Helen Waller, Daniel Freeman, Suzanne Jolley, Graham Dunn, Philippa Garety
Primary Institution: Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London
Hypothesis
An intervention targeting reasoning biases, including the ‘Jumping to Conclusions’ (JTC) bias and belief flexibility will reduce patients’ conviction in their delusional beliefs.
Conclusion
The training program showed promise in improving reasoning, belief flexibility, and reducing delusional conviction among participants.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants showed significant improvements in belief flexibility and delusional conviction after the training.
- The training was well received, with high ratings of enjoyment and usefulness.
- 62% of participants experienced a reduction in delusional conviction post-intervention.
Takeaway
This study tested a training program to help people with strong delusions think more flexibly and gather more evidence before making decisions.
Methodology
Participants completed a one-off computerised training package lasting approximately 1.5 hours, with outcomes assessed at multiple time points.
Potential Biases
The assessments and therapy were carried out by the same researcher, which may introduce experimenter bias.
Limitations
The study did not include an independent control group and was not powered to detect change in key outcomes.
Participant Demographics
Participants were mainly White and Black African, with an approximately equal number of males and females, and a mean age of 44.6 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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