CHANGES IN NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTION AFTER TREATMENT WITH METACOGNITIVE THERAPY OR COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY FOR DEPRESSION. Issue 6 (12th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Groves, Samantha J.; Porter, Richard J.; Jordan, Jennifer; Knight, Robert; Carter, Janet D.; McIntosh, Virginia V. W.; Fernando, Kumari; Frampton, Christopher M. A.; Mulder, Roger T.; Lacey, Cameron; Joyce, Peter R.
• Is Part Of: Depression and anxiety. Volume 32:Issue 6(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 437
• Page End: 444
• Publication Date: 2015-02-12
• Subjects: Anxiety -- Periodicals; Depression, Mental -- Periodicals; Depression -- Periodicals; Anxiety -- Periodicals; Anxiety Disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8527005
• DOI: 10.1002/da.22341
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1091-4269

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="da22341-sec-0010" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Metacognitive therapy (MCT) is an innovative treatment model addressing patterns of negative thinking seen in emotional disorders. Unlike cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), MCT has strategies targeting dysfunctional cognitive and metacognitive processes underlying perseverative thinking patterns and attentional biases. The aim of this pilot study was to compare changes in neuropsychological functioning related to executive function and attention in outpatients with depression following treatment with MCT or CBT.</p> </sec> <sec id="da22341-sec-0020" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Forty‐eight participants referred for outpatient treatment of depression were randomized to 12 weeks of MCT (n = 23) or CBT (n = 25). Mood severity and neuropsychological functioning were assessed at pretreatment, 4 weeks, and at end treatment (12 weeks).</p> </sec> <sec id="da22341-sec-0030" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>There were no significant group differences at pretreatment or 4 weeks on any neuropsychological test, although overall both groups showed a small improvement by 4 weeks. At end treatment, the MCT group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in performance on a task requiring spatial working memory and attention than the CBT group. Changes in executive functioning and attention were independent of change in mood symptoms.</p> </sec> <sec id="da22341-sec-0040" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>MCT may have an advantage over CBT in improving aspects of executive function, including attention. MCT's emphasis on attentional training and flexible control of thinking may have a beneficial effect on neuropsychological functioning, consistent with the purported mechanism of action.</p> </sec> </abstract>