Basic demographic outcomes: additional findings of a single-blind, randomised, controlled trial on metacognitive training for psychosis

Background: Evidence of the effect of metacognitive and social cognitive impairment on the symptoms and functioning of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia led to the development of the Metacognitive Training. We hypothesise that improvement in these cognitive functions leads to less severe symptoms and to better adaptation to real-life social situations, which would be reflected in aspects of the patients' demographic status. Method: We report the additional findings of a randomised, controlled, single-blind study with a six-month follow-up period. We provided 36 patients with training to improve their metacognition and social cognition. The control group received treatment as usual. Symptom severity, measured by the PANSS scale, and demographic data were assessed at baseline and six months after the training. Results: Compared to the control group, the intervention group showed less severe symptoms, and achieved more progress in demographic status. These steps may be statistically non-significant; yet, may represent crucial changes in some patients' lives. Conclusions: Metacognitive Training is not only an appropriate method to decrease symptom severity, but the training of metacognitive and social cognitive functions can also contribute to a better adaptation to real-life.