A manual-based individual therapy to improve metacognition in schizophrenia: protocol of a multi-center RCT

Metacognitive dysfunction has been widely recognized as a feature of schizophrenia. As it is linked with deficits in several aspects of daily life functioning, improvement of metacognition may lead to improvement in functioning. Individual psychotherapy might be a useful form of treatment to improve...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC psychiatry 2014-02, Vol.14 (1), p.27-27, Article 27
Main Authors: Van Donkersgoed, Rozanne J M, De Jong, Steven, Van der Gaag, Mark, Aleman, André, Lysaker, Paul H, Wunderink, Lex, Pijnenborg, G H M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Case reports
Clinical Protocols
Cognition
Cognitive Therapy - methods
Depression - therapy
Female
Health aspects
Humans
Male
Medical research
Medicine, Experimental
Mental Health
Methods
Netherlands
Pilot Projects
Psychotherapy
Quality of Life - psychology
Schizophrenia - therapy
Schizophrenic Psychology
Set (Psychology)
Social Adjustment
Social Stigma
Study Protocol
Young Adult
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Summary:Metacognitive dysfunction has been widely recognized as a feature of schizophrenia. As it is linked with deficits in several aspects of daily life functioning, improvement of metacognition may lead to improvement in functioning. Individual psychotherapy might be a useful form of treatment to improve metacognition in patients with schizophrenia; multiple case reports and a pilot study show promising results. The present study aims to measure the effectiveness of an individual, manual-based therapy (Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy, MERIT) in improving metacognition in patients with schizophrenia. We also want to examine if improvement in metacognitive abilities is correlated with improvements in aspects of daily life functioning namely social functioning, experience of symptoms, quality of life, depression, work readiness, insight and experience of stigma. MERIT is currently evaluated in a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Thirteen therapists in six mental health institutions in the Netherlands participate in this study. Patients are randomly assigned to either MERIT or the control condition: treatment as usual (TAU). If proven effective, MERIT can be a useful addition to the care for schizophrenia patients. The design brings along some methodological difficulties, these issues are addressed in the discussion of this paper. Current Controlled Trials: ISRCTN16659871.
ISSN:1471-244X
1471-244X
DOI:10.1186/1471-244X-14-27