Effects of a symptom management program on auditory hallucinations in Thai outpatients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia: a pilot study*.

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of a symptom management program on auditory hallucinations in outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia. A quasi-experimental research design with convenience sample was used. Eighteen Thai outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia were divided into a control group and an experimental group. Those who were in the experimental group received a 10-session symptom management program, while the control group received the usual care. The participants were assessed at baseline and post-treatment. The results revealed that the participants who attended the symptom management program experienced significantly decreased overall scores of the characteristics and severity of auditory hallucinations. The findings demonstrated that the symptom management program could attenuate auditory hallucinations in outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia through their understanding of symptoms, and learning and practicing skills for managing their symptoms in both group and home settings.