Tests a thinking-skills training for negative symptoms in schizophrenia
Tests metacognitive training against supportive counselling in adults with schizophrenia negative symptoms.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Metacognitive Training for Negative Symptoms
Key facts
- Where
- Multiple Locations, SwedenSee the site
Where in Sweden
- Region SörmlandMultiple Locations, SwedenTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Sormland County Council, Sweden
- Trial code
- NCT06127004
- Record updated
- 6 February 2024
- Original description
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.Read full original descriptionShow less
Metacognitive Training for Negative Symptoms (MCT Minus)
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.
Inclusion: Over the age of 18; Clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia, delusional disorder or non-affective psychosis; Resident in Region Sörmland, Region Västmanland or Region Uppland.
Exclusion: Visual and/or hearing impairment; Evidence of severe organic brain dysfunction; Learning disabilities; Difficulty with the Swedish language; Being unable or unwilling to provide written informed consent.