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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if compact EEG (a brain activity monitor) and audio technology can improve sleep and reduce symptoms in people with psychosis. Participants will receive either standard treatment or an experimental sleep intervention called "Individualized Imagery." It suits individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or a mood disorder with psychotic features who frequently experience sleep issues, such as insomnia or weekly nightmares.

As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance sleep and quality of life for those with psychosis.

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 prior data suggests that this protocol is safe for individuals with psychosis?

Research has shown that treatments using mental imagery are generally safe for people with psychosis. Studies have found these treatments to be well-received and acceptable. Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia-related conditions often find them practical and safe.

One review found that mental imagery treatments caused few negative effects. People with psychosis and delusions managed these treatments well, with no major reports of unwanted side effects. Most participants did not experience serious health issues during these studies.

Overall, evidence suggests that personalized imagery is a safe option for treating symptoms in people with psychosis. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about Individualized Imagery for psychosis because it offers a fresh approach compared to traditional treatments, which often include antipsychotic medications and cognitive behavioral therapy. Unlike these standard treatments, Individualized Imagery focuses on creating personalized mental images to help patients manage symptoms, potentially providing a more tailored therapeutic experience. This method targets the unique experiences of each patient, which could lead to more effective outcomes and improved quality of life.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for psychosis?

Research has shown that personalized mental images might help people with psychosis by improving sleep and reducing some symptoms. In this trial, participants will receive either Individualized Imagery therapy or join the Control group. One study found that three people who tried imagery-focused therapy reported benefits, with two experiencing a significant reduction in delusions and distress. Another study suggested that these imagery techniques can lessen the intensity of auditory hallucinations. These findings indicate that personalized imagery could effectively help people with psychosis manage symptoms and improve overall well-being. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Alia Warner, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Jessica Badawi, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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 for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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).

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12498916/

iMAgery Focused Therapy for PSychosis (iMAPS-2) Overall retention rates and completion rates for individual outcome questionnaires were estimated using point estimates with 95% binomial CIs.

2. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41537-021-00162-3

Individualized prediction of three- and six-year outcomes ... Individualized prediction of long-term outcomes may be helpful in improving treatment decisions. Utilizing extensive baseline data of 523 ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06194344

The Effectiveness of Individualized Imagery Scripts on ... 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 ...

4. bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/papt.12463

Assessing the delivering of iMAgery‐focused therapy for ... Three participants reported benefits, two of whom experienced clinically significant reduction in delusions and imagery distress. Overall, ...

5. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/advance-article/doi/10.1093/schbul/sbaf033/8110510

Imagery-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques ... This study evaluates the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of the following 4 imagery techniques in targeting mental imagery and AVHs severity.

6. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06194344?term=AREA%5BConditionSearch%5D(Behavioral%20script)&rank=3

The Effectiveness of Individualized Imagery Scripts on Sleep ... An unfavorable change in the health of a participant, including abnormal laboratory findings, that happens during a clinical study or within a certain amount of ...

7. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41398-025-03343-1

Individual-level deviations from normative brain ... Neuroimaging research has shown brain morphological abnormalities associated with violence and psychosis, but individual differences are substantial.

8. cambridge.org cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioural-and-cognitive-psychotherapy/article/outcomes-of-imageryfocused-interventions-in-relation-to-distress-in-people-with-delusions-a-systematic-literature-review/03482553B8372121FD4E815A40577389

The outcomes of imagery-focused interventions in relation ... It appears that interventions targeting mental imagery were acceptable and well tolerated within a population of people experiencing psychosis and delusions.