Individualized Imagery for Psychosis

Overseen By Calvary Fielden

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Disqualifiers: Substance-induced psychosis, Neurodegenerative disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: Up to 80 days

40 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to see how feasible is the use of compact EEG and paired audio technology to administer sleep interventions for inpatients with psychosis, to see if individuals that receive individualized technology-based sleep interventions experience improvements in sleep quality and to see if individuals that receive individualized technology-based sleep interventions experience improvements in symptomatology

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the study team or your doctor.

What evidence supports the effectiveness of the treatment Individualized Imagery for Psychosis?

Research suggests that mental imagery techniques can improve anticipatory success in people with psychosis, which may help reduce amotivational symptoms. Additionally, mental imagery has been used successfully in cognitive-behavioral therapy to address delusions, indicating its potential as a treatment tool for psychosis. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Individualized Imagery safe for people with psychosis?

Imagery interventions, like Individualized Imagery, are considered feasible and acceptable for people with psychosis, suggesting they are generally safe for this group. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

How does the Individualized Imagery treatment for psychosis differ from other treatments?

Individualized Imagery for psychosis is unique because it uses mental imagery to enhance anticipatory success (believing one can achieve something) and anticipatory pleasure (mentally pre-creating potential future experiences of enjoyment), which may help improve motivation and functioning in people with psychosis. This approach is different from traditional treatments like antipsychotic medications, which often have significant side effects and may not address these specific psychological factors. ^{1 2 3 4 8}

Research Team

Jessica Badawi, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Alia Warner, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for inpatients with psychosis who often have trouble sleeping, experience severe mental illness symptoms, or have suicidal thoughts. Participants should be willing to use EEG and audio technology for sleep interventions.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or a mood disorder with psychosis.

A psychologist or psychiatrist has confirmed I can make decisions about my health care.

I often have trouble sleeping or experience nightmares weekly.

Exclusion Criteria

Implanted devices (e.g., Pacemakers)

On one-to-one supervision or 15-minute safety checks for suicidality or aggression

Intellectual and developmental disabilities

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive individualized imagery scripts and technology-based sleep interventions

Up to 80 days

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for improvements in sleep quality and symptomatology

3 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Control
• Individualized Imagery

Trial Overview The study tests if using compact EEG devices with personalized audio can improve sleep and reduce symptoms of psychosis. Patients will either receive individualized imagery scripts (intervention) or no such intervention (control).

Participant Groups

Group I: Individualized imagery Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Lead Sponsor

Trials

974

Recruited

361,000+

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhanced Instructed Fear Learning in Delusion-Proneness. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Individual differences in psychotic effects of ketamine are predicted by brain function measured under placebo. [2021]

3. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Understanding and treating amotivation in people with psychosis: An experimental study of the role of guided imagery. [2019]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Placebo Effect in Psychosis: Why It Matters and How to Measure It. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognitive-behavioral therapy of delusions: mental imagery within a goal-directed framework. [2019]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evolving perspectives on individual psychotherapy for schizophrenia. [2019]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Successful treatment of nightmares may reduce psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia. [2020]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing future-directed thinking in people with first-episode psychosis using a guided imagery intervention. [2022]