Sustained antipsychotic effect of metacognitive training in psychosis: A randomized-controlled study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Sustained antipsychotic effect of metacognitive training in psychosis: A randomized-controlled study

AU - Favrod, J

AU - Rexhaj, S

AU - Bardy, S

AU - Ferrari, P

AU - Hayoz, C

AU - Moritz, S

AU - Conus, P

AU - Bonsack, C

N1 - Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

PY - 2014/6/1

Y1 - 2014/6/1

N2 - Persistent psychotic symptoms represent a major challenge for psychiatric care. Basic research has shown that psychotic symptoms are associated with cognitive biases. Metacognitive training (MCT) aims at helping patients to become aware of these biases and to improve problem-solving. Fifty-two participants fulfilling diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders and persistent delusions and stabilized antipsychotic medication were enrolled in this study. Following baseline assessment patients were randomized either to treatment as usual (TAU) conditions or TAU+MCT. The intervention consisted of eight weekly 1-hour sessions (maximum: 8hours). Participants were assessed at 8weeks and 6-months later by blind assessors. Participants were assessed with the Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scales (PSYRATS) and the positive subscale of the PANSS. Between-group differences in post- and pre-test values were significant at a medium effect size in favor of the MCT for the PSYRATS delusion scale and the positive scale of the PANSS both at post and follow-up. The results of this study indicate that MCT training has a surplus antipsychotic effect for patients suffering from schizophrenia-related disorders who demonstrate only a partial response to antipsychotic treatment and that the effect of the intervention persists for at least 6months after the intervention.

AB - Persistent psychotic symptoms represent a major challenge for psychiatric care. Basic research has shown that psychotic symptoms are associated with cognitive biases. Metacognitive training (MCT) aims at helping patients to become aware of these biases and to improve problem-solving. Fifty-two participants fulfilling diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders and persistent delusions and stabilized antipsychotic medication were enrolled in this study. Following baseline assessment patients were randomized either to treatment as usual (TAU) conditions or TAU+MCT. The intervention consisted of eight weekly 1-hour sessions (maximum: 8hours). Participants were assessed at 8weeks and 6-months later by blind assessors. Participants were assessed with the Psychotic Symptoms Rating Scales (PSYRATS) and the positive subscale of the PANSS. Between-group differences in post- and pre-test values were significant at a medium effect size in favor of the MCT for the PSYRATS delusion scale and the positive scale of the PANSS both at post and follow-up. The results of this study indicate that MCT training has a surplus antipsychotic effect for patients suffering from schizophrenia-related disorders who demonstrate only a partial response to antipsychotic treatment and that the effect of the intervention persists for at least 6months after the intervention.

U2 - 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2013.08.003

DO - 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2013.08.003

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 24176646

VL - 29

SP - 275

EP - 281

JO - EUR PSYCHIAT

JF - EUR PSYCHIAT

SN - 0924-9338

IS - 5

ER -