Metacognitive Therapy for Individuals at High Risk of Psychosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Clinical Trial of Metacognitive Therapy for Individuals at High Risk of Developing Psychosis
IRAS ID
102378
Contact name
Sophie Parker
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Individuals assessed as being at high risk of developing psychosis have mental health problems which affect their behaviour, thinking and perception, as well as a person’s ability to socialise, work and carry out the tasks of daily life. Common difficulties are unusual or overvalued beliefs (e.g. paranoia) and perceptual experiences (e.g. hallucinations such as hearing voices). There is evidence that having a talking therapy (cognitive behaviour therapy or CBT) can help reduce these symptoms and combat the difficulties associated with these i.e. social isolation, employment and day-to-day living. However, CBT is not widely available to all individuals who may be at high risk of developing psychosis with only 4 specialist clinics operating within the UK currently. Additionally, cognitive therapy can be a relatively lengthy and therefore costly form of intervention with the intervention length operating from a 26 session protocol. Evidence suggests that metacognitive therapy (MCT) provides a useful alternative to CBT. A growing body of evidence implicates metacognition in a number of mental health problems including generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety, depression and PTSD. MCT is a talking therapy based on a metacognitive model of emotional disorders with an evidence base for treating such disorders, all of which have high co-morbidity within the specified research population. MCT’s often a shorter treatment than traditional CBT, requiring 6-8 sessions for symptom improvement. We have already conducted a pilot study of 12 sessions of MCT for individuals with psychosis showing positive results for patients’ psychotic experiences. Applying a similar approach allows for a shorter treatment than is currently offered, thereby affording personal, social and economic benefits. This study provides an opportunity to investigate the feasibility of this treatment with individuals at high risk of developing psychosis allowing for preliminary evaluation of such an approach in producing symptom relief and recovery.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0238
Date of REC Opinion
1 Jul 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion