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Metacognitive training for schizophrenia spectrum patients: a meta-analysis on outcome studies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 July 2015

B. van Oosterhout ,
F. Smit ,
L. Krabbendam ,
S. Castelein ,
A. B. P. Staring  and
M. van der Gaag
B. van Oosterhout*
Affiliation:
GGzE, De Woenselse Poort, PO Box 909, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
F. Smit
Affiliation:
Trimbos Institute (Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction), PO Box 725, Utrecht, The Netherlands Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Centre, PO Box 7057, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Department of Clinical Psychology, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University, PO Box 7057, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
L. Krabbendam
Affiliation:
Department of Educational Neuroscience and Research Institute Learn!, Faculty of Psychology and Education, VU University, Van der Boechorststraat 1, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
S. Castelein
Affiliation:
Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Lentis Research, PO Box 86, Groningen, The Netherlands University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Rob Giel Research Center, PO Box 30.001, Groningen, The Netherlands
A. B. P. Staring
Affiliation:
Altrecht Psychiatric Institute, Mimosastraat 2–4, Utrecht, The Netherlands
M. van der Gaag
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Psychology, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University, PO Box 7057, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Department of Psychosis Research, Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, Zoutkeetsingel 40, The Hague, The Netherlands
*
*Address for correspondence: B. van Oosterhout, GGzE, PO Box 909, 5600 AX, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. (Email: bj.van.oosterhout@dewoenselsepoort.nl)
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Abstract

Background.

Metacognitive training (MCT) for schizophrenia spectrum is widely implemented. It is timely to systematically review the literature and to conduct a meta-analysis.

Method.

Eligible studies were selected from several sources (databases and expert suggestions). Criteria included comparative studies with a MCT condition measuring positive symptoms and/or delusions and/or data-gathering bias. Three meta-analyses were conducted on data gathering (three studies; 219 participants), delusions (seven studies; 500 participants) and positive symptoms (nine studies; 436 participants). Hedges’ g is reported as the effect size of interest. Statistical power was sufficient to detect small to moderate effects.

Results.

All analyses yielded small non-significant effect sizes (0.26 for positive symptoms; 0.22 for delusions; 0.31 for data-gathering bias). Corrections for publication bias further reduced the effect sizes to 0.21 for positive symptoms and to 0.03 for delusions. In blinded studies, the corrected effect sizes were 0.22 for positive symptoms and 0.03 for delusions. In studies using proper intention-to-treat statistics the effect sizes were 0.10 for positive symptoms and −0.02 for delusions. The moderate to high heterogeneity in most analyses suggests that processes other than MCT alone have an impact on the results.

Conclusions.

The studies so far do not support a positive effect for MCT on positive symptoms, delusions and data gathering. The methodology of most studies was poor and sensitivity analyses to control for methodological flaws reduced the effect sizes considerably. More rigorous research would be helpful in order to create enough statistical power to detect small effect sizes and to reduce heterogeneity. Limitations and strengths are discussed.

Keywords

Cognitive biasesmetacognitive trainingpsychosisschizophrenia
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 46 , Issue 1 , January 2016 , pp. 47 - 57
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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