Metacognitive Training for Negative Symptoms (MCT Minus)

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

There is a clear rationale for developing interventions targeting negative symptoms of schizophrenia as these are a stronger indicator of current and future functioning than positive symptoms and because they respond poorly to medication and existing psychological interventions. This is reflected in the NIMH-MATRICS consensus statement that emphasised that persistent negative symptoms represent an unmet therapeutic need for patients suffering from schizophrenia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate, in a scientific manner, the intervention developed by Swanson et al. 2021: Metacognitive Training (MCT) Minus. The MCT was adapted to target negative symptoms in psychotic disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, schizoaffective or non-affective functional psychosis) as the original version of the intervention focused exclusively on positive symptoms. The specific aim is to study whether MCT Minus is a promising treatment for the intended population in terms of reductions in negative symptoms, severity of defeatist attitudes, internalised stigma, and depression as well as improvements in reflective ability and overall functioning. The research will add to existing research by identifying and measuring potential mechanisms of change for negative symptoms (i.e., defeatist attitudes, reflective functioning, stigma and depression). It will also add to the existing evidence base by measuring whether the cognitive biases addressed in MCT lead to changes in the wider conceptualisation of metacognition used elsewhere and whether the promising results seen in the feasibility study of MCT Minus can be replicated in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) with a control group and a blinded assessor. The researchers also hope to replicate the findings of a previous study, where MCT was found to be related to the modulation of default-mode network (DMN) homogeneity in schizophrenia, an area thought to be involved in self- and other-reflectivity.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Over the age of 18

• Clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia, delusional disorder or non-affective psychosis

• Resident in Region Sörmland, Region Västmanland or Region Uppland

Locations
Other Locations
Sweden
Region Sörmland
RECRUITING
Multiple Locations
Contact Information
Primary
Linda Swanson, Dr
linda.swanson@regionsormland.se
0046-720 843 708
Backup
Simon Cervenka, Prof
simon.cervenka@neuro.uu.se
Time Frame
Start Date: 2024-01-01
Estimated Completion Date: 2032-12
Participants
Target number of participants: 90
Treatments
Experimental: Metacognitive Training for Negative Symptoms
The original MCT intervention was adapted to negative symptoms by incorporating psychoeducation and strategies to target the cognitions suggested by the cognitive model (Beck et al., 2009) to be implicated in the development and/or maintenance of negative symptoms. Although some of the strategies have traditionally been used to target positive symptoms, it is assumed that the same reasoning styles lead to negative symptoms through the dysfunctional cognitions discussed previously (e.g., jumping to conclusions in regard to social rejection and a dysfunctional attribution style reinforcing social withdrawal). Metacognitive training for negative symptoms consists of eight sessions, delivered individually as there is evidence indicating that this approach may lead to stronger effect sizes than delivery in a group format (Liu et al., 2018). The developer of MCT (Professor Steffen Moritz) approved the modification.
Active_comparator: Control group
Supportive Counselling (8 sessions) will be used as a control. Participants enrolled in this condition can then get the intervention if they request this.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Collaborators: Västmanland County Council, Sweden, Uppsala County Council, Sweden
Leads: Sormland County Council, Sweden

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov