RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT06005766

The Efficacy of Metacognitive Skills Training in the Context of Forensic Psychiatric Care

Does Group-Based Metacognitive Skills Training Reduce Jumping to Conclusions Bias of Patients With Psychotic Disorders in the Context of Forensic Psychiatric Care

Sponsor

University of Jyvaskyla

Enrollment

85 participants

Start Date

Sep 1, 2023

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Schizophrenia Psychotic Disorders Schizoaffective Disorder Delusional Disorder Psychotic Depression

Summary

Deficiencies in social cognition are part of the core symptomatology of psychotic disorders. And deficiencies in social cognition, the closely related concept of metacognition, and, for example, paranoid attitudes are all associated with violence. The link between social cognition and violence is also observed through rehabilitation, as both group-based Social Cognition Interaction Training (SCIT) and group-based Metacognitive Skills Training (MCT) have reduced violent behavior in patients with psychotic disorders. Thus, a better knowledge of social cognition and its rehabilitation in psychotic disorders can help to reduce risky behavior and to rehabilitate the significant social difficulties often found in psychotic disorders. This research study aims to examine factors underlying the efficacy of group-based MCT. The goal of the metacognitive skills training group developed by Moritz and partners is to strengthen the social and metacognitive skills of the patients participating in the group. The group consists of 10 sessions during which exercises and discussion are emphasized. The themes of the group sessions are, for example, jumping to conclusions -bias, empathy, and memory. Detailed information is available from the MCT website (https://clinical-neuropsychology.de/metacognitive\_training-psychosis/). Overall there is meta-analysis-level evidence for the moderate effectiveness of MCT on positive symptoms of psychotic illnesses, such as delusions. Prior studies have argued that the unique factor underpinning MCT's efficacy is its impact on various cognitive biases, and that participating in the group especially reduces patients' tendency to jump to conclusions, which is a cognitive style associated with delusions and deficits in social perception and reasoning. As delusionality is related to the risk of violence, these results form a logical link between jumping to conclusions, delusionality, and violence. But the results regarding the effectiveness of MCT are still somewhat conflicting, and studies seem to be of varying quality. Additional longitudinal research and research related to the jumping to conclusion bias are also needed. The hypothesis regarding this study is that the MCT group reduces patients' tendency to jump to conclusions. These reductions are presumed to be associated in one-year follow-up with fewer mood symptoms, delusions, paranoia, and more psychological flexibility.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study is testing whether metacognitive skills training — a therapy that helps people think about and manage their own thinking patterns — can improve outcomes for patients in forensic psychiatric care who have a psychotic disorder (such as schizophrenia). **You may be eligible if:** - You have been diagnosed with a psychosis spectrum disorder (such as schizophrenia) - You are willing to participate in the study - You have sufficient Finnish language skills **You may NOT be eligible if:** - Your psychosis so severely affects your functioning that you cannot participate - You have significant cognitive problems that prevent participation - You are under guardianship for personal matters Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALMetacognitive Skills Training (MCT)

The goal of the metacognitive skills training group developed by Moritz and co. is to strengthen the social and metacognitive skills of the patients participating in the group. The group consists of 10 sessions during which exercises and discussion are emphasized. The themes of the group sessions are, for example, jumping to conclusions -bias, empathy, and memory. Detailed information is available from the MCT website (https://clinical-neuropsychology.de/metacognitive\_training-psychosis/). Overall there is meta-analysis-level evidence for the moderate effectiveness of MCT on positive symptoms of psychotic illnesses, such as delusions. Prior studies have argued that the unique factor underpinning MCT's efficacy is its impact on various cognitive biases, and that participating in the group especially reduces patients' tendency to jump to conclusions, which is a cognitive style associated with delusions and deficits in social perception and reasoning.

OTHERTreatment as usual

Medicinal treatment deemed appropriate by the attending physician, psychiatric ward treatment, and others forms of treatment recommended to the patients based on their treatment plans (e.g., work therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, talk therapy)