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Group Metacognitive Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in a Routine Clinical Setting: An Open Trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 June 2022

Janet D. Carter Open the ORCID record for Janet D. Carter [Opens in a new window] ,
Erin Helliwell ,
Jenny Jordan Open the ORCID record for Jenny Jordan [Opens in a new window] ,
Colette Woolcock ,
Caroline Bell  and
Claire Gilbert
Janet D. Carter*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Speech and Hearing, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
Erin Helliwell
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Speech and Hearing, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
Jenny Jordan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
Colette Woolcock
Affiliation:
The Christchurch Anxiety Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand
Caroline Bell
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand Anxiety Disorders Service, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand
Claire Gilbert
Affiliation:
Anxiety Disorders Service, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand
*
*Corresponding author: Janet D. Carter, School of Psychology Speech and Hearing, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand. Email: janet.carter@canterbury.ac.nz
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Abstract

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often a chronic disorder characterised by uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions), and/or behaviours (compulsions). Accumulating evidence suggests that metacognitive beliefs may underlie many of the processes implicated in the formation and perpetuation of OCD. Metacognitive therapy (MCT) for OCD aims to modify these maladaptive metacognitive beliefs and processes to treat this debilitating disorder. The current study examines the outcome of a pilot trial of MCT for OCD in 26 (17 females; 9 males) adults (18–64 years) referred to a specialist outpatient service. Results were promising, with significant decreases in OCD and depression symptoms, which were maintained at the 3-month follow-up. The improvement in Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale scores between pre-treatment and follow-up in the completer sample (n=22) was large (d=1.29), and comparable to outcomes of well-established treatments. These encouraging results add to early empirical support for the effectiveness of group MCT as an OCD treatment alternative, as well as reinforcing the role of metacognitions contributing to this disorder.

Keywords

OCDmetacognitivetherapyanxietygroup
Type
Standard Paper
Information
Behaviour Change , Volume 40 , Issue 2 , June 2023 , pp. 117 - 132
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Australian Association for Cognitive and Behaviour Therapy

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