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Benefits of combining Metacognitive Training (MCT) with Cognitive Remediation (CR) in the recovery of patients with psychotic spectrum disorders: Preliminary results

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 August 2025

M. Korniyenko*
Affiliation:
Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona
J. Navarro
Affiliation:
Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona
F. González-Higueras
Affiliation:
Hospital Universitario de Jaén, Jaén
J. Cid
Affiliation:
Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Girona Dr. Josep Trueta (IdiBGI), Institut d’Assitència Sanitària, Girona
E. Frigola-Capell
Affiliation:
Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Girona Dr. Josep Trueta (IdiBGI), Institut d’Assitència Sanitària, Girona
I. Birules
Affiliation:
Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu
C. Vidal
Affiliation:
Fundació els Tres Turons
G. Garrido
Affiliation:
Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa
J. Crosas
Affiliation:
Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí
A. Aznar
Affiliation:
Asociación Centro de Higiene Mental Les Corts
C. Palma-Sevillano
Affiliation:
Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona Consorci Sanitari del Maresme, Mataró
A. Sastre-Buades
Affiliation:
Hospital Universitario Son Llatzer, Palma
J. Sevilla-Llewellyn-Jones
Affiliation:
Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid
O. Vallina
Affiliation:
Servicio Cántabro de Salud, Torrelavega
A. Barajas
Affiliation:
Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona Serra Húnter Programme, Government of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Psychotic disorders are a major cause of global disability. While antipsychotic treatments are effective, their impact is limited. Metacognitive Training (MCT) reduces positive and negative symptoms, but neurocognitive deficits hinder therapy. Cognitive Rehabilitation (CR) may help improve these skills. Combining both therapies could offer better results, but studies are lacking to confirm whether there is any real improvement.

Objectives

Compare the efficacy of combined CR+MCT therapy vs. MCT alone in clinical and functional recovery in nonaffective psychotic disorders.

Methods

This ongoing randomized trial includes 85 patients (56.5% female, mean age 40.40±10.17), with 38 receiving CR+MCT and 47 receiving MCT only. Sociodemographic and clinical data (WHO-DAS-II, PANSS, GAF, and criteria for clinical remission and functional recovery) were collected pre-and post-treatment. Generalized linear models were used, with post-treatment scores as the dependent variable, baseline scores, and RC+MCT group as covariates.

Results

No significant differences were found between groups. However, CR+MCT showed a greater reduction in positive symptoms (Mpost-pre = -3) vs. MCT (Mpost-pre = -2.2) with no changes in negative symptoms. CR+MCT presented a higher percentage of clinical remission (12,1%) vs MCT (0%) post-treatment. Both groups improve in functional recovery, with greater results in MCT alone (10,9%CR+MCT vs 22,8%MCT). CR+MCT also had greater reductions in functional disability (Mpost-pre = -3,4) vs. MCT alone (Mpost-pre = -2,2).

Conclusions

The group that has received the combined RC+MCT therapy has shown better results in clinical remission and functional recovery, the last in terms of disability, than the MCT-only group. The small sample size limits statistical significance.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

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Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of European Psychiatric Association
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