Metacognitive Therapy in Treatment-Resistant Psychosis: A Multiple-Baseline Study. Issue 2 (3rd January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hutton, Paul; Morrison, Anthony P.; Wardle, Melissa; Wells, Adrian
• Is Part Of: Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy. Volume 42:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 166
• Page End: 185
• Publication Date: 2013-01-03
• Subjects: Metacognitive therapy, -- psychosis, -- schizophrenia, -- hallucinations, -- delusions; Behavior therapy -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1017/S1352465812001026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4658

Abstract

Abstract : Background: More effective psychological treatments for psychosis are required. Case series data and pilot trials suggest metacognitive therapy (MCT) is a promising treatment for anxiety and depression. Other research has found negative metacognitive beliefs and thought-control strategies may be involved in the development and maintenance of hallucinations and delusions. The potential of MCT in treating psychosis has yet to be investigated.Aims: Our aim was to find out whether a short number of MCT sessions would be associated with clinically significant and sustained improvements in delusions, hallucinations, anxiety, depression and subjective recovery in patients with treatment-resistant long-standing psychosis.Method: Three consecutively referred patients, each with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and continuing symptoms, completed a series of multiple baseline assessments. Each then received between 11 and 13 sessions of MCT and completed regular assessments of progress, during therapy, post-therapy and at 3-month follow-up.Results: Two out of 3 participants achieved clinically significant reductions across a range of symptom-based outcomes at end-of-therapy. Improvement was sustained at 3-month follow-up for one participant.Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the feasibility of using MCT with people with medication-resistant psychosis. MCT was acceptable to the participants and associated with meaningful change. Some modifications may be required for this population, after which a controlled trial may be warranted.