Trial Outcomes & Findings for Impact of VVV Group for Veterans With SMI (NCT NCT05562674)

NCT ID: NCT05562674

Last Updated: 2026-05-01

Results Overview

PSYRATS-AH is an 11-item scale which assesses the frequency, duration, severity, loudness, location, negative content, and controllability of voices, intensity of distress, and beliefs about origin of voices and disruptiveness. Minimum score is 0, maximum 44. Any decrease in overall score is indicative of decreased distress.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

28 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

12 weeks after the initiation of the intervention

Results posted on

2026-05-01

Participant Flow

36 signed consent forms. However, 8 of these dropped out of the study before completing the per-intervention assessment either because they changed their mind (3) or because the study team was unable to contact them (5). 28 completed the pre-intervention assessment but 3 of these left the study prior to being assigned to the intervention groups. One of these was found to have been ineligible, and two of these could not be contacted by the study team. Therefore 25 participants entered the study.

Once participants signed consent forms, they had to complete the pre-intervention assessment and then be assigned to a intervention group. Some participants left the study during this process, which could take several weeks.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Overall Study
STARTED
25
Overall Study
COMPLETED
21
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
4

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Overall Study
Lost to Follow-up
4

Baseline Characteristics

Impact of VVV Group for Veterans With SMI

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=25 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Age, Continuous
51.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.8 • n=14 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
male
21 Participants
n=14 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
female
3 Participants
n=14 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
nonbinary
1 Participants
n=14 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
1 Participants
n=14 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=14 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=14 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
12 Participants
n=14 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
8 Participants
n=14 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
2 Participants
n=14 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
2 Participants
n=14 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
8 Participants
n=14 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
17 Participants
n=14 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=14 Participants
The Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scale (PSYRATS-AH)
21.0 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.7 • n=14 Participants
Role Functioning Scale Total Score Change
17.4 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.1 • n=14 Participants
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-R Omnipotence Subscale
7.3 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.2 • n=14 Participants
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-R Malevolence Subscale
5.6 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.9 • n=14 Participants
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-R Benevolence Subscale
5.6 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.0 • n=14 Participants
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-R Resistance Subscale
13.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.4 • n=14 Participants
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-R Emotional Resistance Subscale
5.9 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.8 • n=14 Participants
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-R Behavioral Resistance Subscale
7.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 5.2 • n=14 Participants
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-R Engagement Subscale
6.2 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.5 • n=14 Participants
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire - R Emotional Engagement Subscale
3.6 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.9 • n=14 Participants
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire - R Behavioral Engagement Subscale
2.5 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.0 • n=14 Participants
Peters Delusion Inventory Count
6.5 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 4.5 • n=14 Participants
Peters Delusion Inventory Distress Subscale
2.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 1.3 • n=14 Participants
Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale Global Score
43.1 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.1 • n=14 Participants
Questionnaire on the Process of Recovery
41.4 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.5 • n=14 Participants
Generalized Self-efficacy Scale
31.1 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.4 • n=14 Participants
Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness
2.2 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.5 • n=14 Participants
UCLA Loneliness Scale
49 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.9 • n=14 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks after the initiation of the intervention

Population: 25 Veterans were assigned to groups. 4 were lost to follow-up and did not complete post-intervention assessments.

PSYRATS-AH is an 11-item scale which assesses the frequency, duration, severity, loudness, location, negative content, and controllability of voices, intensity of distress, and beliefs about origin of voices and disruptiveness. Minimum score is 0, maximum 44. Any decrease in overall score is indicative of decreased distress.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
The Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scale (PSYRATS-AH)
20.9 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.5

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks after the initiation of the intervention

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

The Role Functioning Scale (RFS) is a broad global integration index across the 4 domains: work, independent living, and family relationships and immediate social network relationships. Each domain ranges from 1 (worst) to 7 (best), for a total score range of minimum 4, maximum 28.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Role Functioning Scale Total Score
17.6 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.1

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

The Revised Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire (BAVQ-R) is a measure of a person's beliefs, emotions and behavior in response to voices. The 35-item questionnaire forms five sub-scales: three concerning beliefs about the dominant voice (malevolence, benevolence and omnipotence), and two concerning emotional and behavioral reactions (resistance, and engagement). The omnipotence subscale measures the amount of omnipotence the subjects attributes to their voice. Minimum score is 0, maximum is 18, higher score indicates greater omnipotence.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-R Omnipotence Subscale
7.4 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.0 • Interval -1.7 to 1.6

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

The Revised Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire (BAVQ-R) is a measure of a person's beliefs, emotions and behavior in response to voices. The 35-item questionnaire forms five sub-scales: three concerning beliefs about the dominant voice (malevolence, benevolence and omnipotence), and two concerning emotional and behavioral reactions (resistance, and engagement). The malevolence subscale measures the amount of malevolence the subjects attribute to their voice. Minimum score is 0, maximum is 18, higher score indicates greater malevolence.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-R Malevolence Subscale
3.7 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.8 • Interval -4.0 to -0.4

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

The Revised Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire (BAVQ-R) is a measure of a person's beliefs, emotions and behavior in response to voices. The 35-item questionnaire forms five sub-scales: three concerning beliefs about the dominant voice (malevolence, benevolence and omnipotence), and two concerning emotional and behavioral reactions (resistance, and engagement). The benevolence subscale measures the amount of benevolence the subjects attribute to their voice. Minimum score is 0, maximum is 18, higher score indicates greater benevolence.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-R Benevolence Subscale
6.1 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.7 • Interval -1.6 to 2.2

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

The Revised Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire (BAVQ-R) is a measure of a person's beliefs, emotions and behavior in response to voices. The 35-item questionnaire forms five sub-scales: three concerning beliefs about the dominant voice (malevolence, benevolence and omnipotence), and two concerning emotional and behavioral reactions (resistance, and engagement). The resistance subscale measures the degree to which the subject willingly engages with their voices. Minimum score is 0, maximum is 18, higher score indicates greater resistance and less engagement.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-R Resistance Subscale
11.0 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.4

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

The Revised Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire (BAVQ-R) is a measure of a person's beliefs, emotions and behavior in response to voices. The 35-item questionnaire forms five sub-scales: three concerning beliefs about the dominant voice (malevolence, benevolence and omnipotence), and two concerning emotional and behavioral reactions (resistance, and engagement). The emotional resistance subscale measures the degree to which the subject willingly engages with their voices emotionally. Minimum score is 0, maximum 12, higher score indicates greater resistance and less engagement.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-R Emotional Resistance Subscale
4.1 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.7 • Interval -3.4 to -0.6

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

The Revised Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire (BAVQ-R) is a measure of a person's beliefs, emotions and behavior in response to voices. The 35-item questionnaire forms five sub-scales: three concerning beliefs about the dominant voice (malevolence, benevolence and omnipotence), and two concerning emotional and behavioral reactions (resistance, and engagement). The behavioral resistance subscale measures the degree to which the subject willingly engages with their voices behaviorally. Minimum score is 0, maximum is 15, higher score indicates greater resistance and less engagement.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-R Behavioral Resistance Subscale
6.9 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 5.2 • Interval -2.8 to 0.7

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

The Revised Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire (BAVQ-R) is a measure of a person's beliefs, emotions and behavior in response to voices. The 35-item questionnaire forms five sub-scales: three concerning beliefs about the dominant voice (malevolence, benevolence and omnipotence), and two concerning emotional and behavioral reactions (resistance, and engagement). The engagement subscale measures the degree to which the subject willingly engages with their voices. Minimum score is 0, maximum 27, higher score indicates greater engagement.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-R Engagement Subscale
7.2 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 7.4 • Interval -1.7 to 3.6

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

The Revised Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire (BAVQ-R) is a measure of a person's beliefs, emotions and behavior in response to voices. The 35-item questionnaire forms five sub-scales: three concerning beliefs about the dominant voice (malevolence, benevolence and omnipotence), and two concerning emotional and behavioral reactions (resistance, and engagement). The emotional engagement subscale measures the degree to which the subject willingly engages with their voices emotionally. Minimum score is 0, maximum 15, higher score indicates greater engagement.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire - R Emotional Engagement Subscale
4.1 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.1 • Interval -0.9 to 1.6

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

The Revised Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire (BAVQ-R) is a measure of a person's beliefs, emotions and behavior in response to voices. The 35-item questionnaire forms five sub-scales: three concerning beliefs about the dominant voice (malevolence, benevolence and omnipotence), and two concerning emotional and behavioral reactions (resistance, and engagement). The behavioral engagement subscale measures the degree to which the subject willingly engages with their voices behaviorally. Minimum score is 0, maximum is 12, Higher score indicates greater engagement.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire - R Behavioral Engagement Subscale
3.1 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.2 • Interval -1.1 to 2.2

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

The Peters Delusion Inventory is a 21-item measure of distress, preoccupation, and conviction of delusions with high convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity. Minimum score is 0, maximum is 21. Higher score indicates worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Peters Delusion Inventory Count
4.9 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.4 • Interval -3.2 to 0.8

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

The Peters Delusion Inventory is a 21-item measure of distress, preoccupation, and conviction of delusions with high convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity. Minimum score is 0, maximum is 60. Higher score indicates worse outcome. The distress subscale measures the amount of cumulative distress associated with all reported delusions.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Peters Delusion Inventory Distress Subscale
2.6 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.1 • Interval -0.8 to 0.4

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

Assesses for psychiatric symptoms-specifically the positive/negative symptom assess subscale scores and suicidal ideation. Minimum score is 24, maximum is 168. Higher score indicates worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale Global Score
41.0 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 13.8 • Interval -7.1 to 4.9

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

The Questionnaire on the Process of Recovery (QPR) is an instrument co-developed by service users and re-searchers about recovery from psychosis with 15 items measuring connectedness, hope, identity, meaning, and empowerment. The QPR has demonstrated high internal and convergent validity as well as sensitivity to change. Minimum score is 0, maximum is 60. Higher score indicates better outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Questionnaire on the Process of Recovery
42.5 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 8.4 • Interval -3.1 to 4.9

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale is a 10-item measure of self-efficacy that has been shown to be valid and reliable and has been used with schizophrenia. Range, 10-40. Higher score indicates better outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale
31.4 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.7

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

The Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale is a 29-item measure of internalized stigma with five subscales (alienation, stereotype endorsement, discrimination, experience, social withdrawal, and stigma resistance). It has been used with schizophrenia and is reliable (a = .90) and valid. Range, 1-4, as all item scores are averaged. Higher score indicates worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness
2.1 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 0.5 • Interval -0.2 to 0.2

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 12 weeks

Population: 25 participants were assigned to a group, attended at least 1 session, and completed a baseline assessment. Four were lost to follow-up and 21 completed post-intervention assessments.

UCLA Loneliness Scale, a 20-item scale measuring subjective experience of loneliness, is considered the gold standard measure of perceived social isolation and is highly reliable (a = .89-.94) and valid. It has been used with SSD. Range, 20-80. Higher score indicates worse outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)
n=21 Participants
Veteran Voices and Visions is the experimental condition. It is a group of Veterans who are experiencing chronic psychosis. The clinician and peer co-led meaning-oriented support group, based on the Hearing Voices approach, meets for 60 minutes, weekly, for 12 weeks. The investigators adapted a manual and protocol for the VA and this study is testing this manual. This is a single-arm study.
UCLA Loneliness Scale
47.3 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 14.4 • Interval -7.5 to 3.5

Adverse Events

Veteran Voices & Visions (VVV)

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Ippolytos Kalofonos

Greater Los Angeles VA Health System

Phone: 510-219-3615

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place