Prevalence of multisensory hallucinations in people at risk of transition to psychosis

TY - JOUR

T1 - Prevalence of multisensory hallucinations in people at risk of transition to psychosis

AU - Dudley, Robert

AU - Denton, Sophie

AU - Mathewson, Jennifer

AU - Pervez, Sairah

AU - Aynsworth, Charlotte

AU - Dodgson, Guy

AU - Barclay, Nicola

N1 - Funding Information: There was no funding for this service evaluation. It was undertaken as part of NHS routine care. We would like to acknowledge the contribution of Lynn Orr, Mike Rudd and Hollie Hutton who contributed to collection of the CAARMS assessments. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors

PY - 2023/4/1

Y1 - 2023/4/1

N2 - Hallucinations can occur in single or multiple sensory modalities. Greater attention has been paid to single sensory experiences with a comparative neglect of hallucinations that occur across two or more sensory modalities (multisensory hallucinations). This study explored how common these experiences were in people at risk of transition to psychosis (n=105) and considered whether a greater number of hallucinatory experiences increased delusional ideation and reduced functioning, both of which are associated with a greater risk of transition to psychosis. Participants reported a range of unusual sensory experiences, with two or three being common. However, when a strict definition of hallucinations was applied, in which the experience has the quality of a real perception and in which the person believes them to be real experiences, then multisensory experiences were rare and when reported, single sensory hallucinations in the auditory domain were most common. The number of unusual sensory experiences or hallucinations was not significantly associated with greater delusional ideation or poorer functioning. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

AB - Hallucinations can occur in single or multiple sensory modalities. Greater attention has been paid to single sensory experiences with a comparative neglect of hallucinations that occur across two or more sensory modalities (multisensory hallucinations). This study explored how common these experiences were in people at risk of transition to psychosis (n=105) and considered whether a greater number of hallucinatory experiences increased delusional ideation and reduced functioning, both of which are associated with a greater risk of transition to psychosis. Participants reported a range of unusual sensory experiences, with two or three being common. However, when a strict definition of hallucinations was applied, in which the experience has the quality of a real perception and in which the person believes them to be real experiences, then multisensory experiences were rare and when reported, single sensory hallucinations in the auditory domain were most common. The number of unusual sensory experiences or hallucinations was not significantly associated with greater delusional ideation or poorer functioning. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

KW - At risk mental state

KW - Delusions

KW - Hallucinations

KW - Visions

KW - Voices

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85148041217&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115091

DO - 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115091

M3 - Article

C2 - 36803842

AN - SCOPUS:85148041217

SN - 0165-1781

VL - 322

JO - Psychiatry research

JF - Psychiatry research

M1 - 115091

ER -