Effectiveness of the Individualized Metacognitive Training (EMC+) in People With Psychosis of Brief Evolution

Effectiveness of the Individualized Metacognitive Training (EMC+) in People With Psychosis of Brief Evolution

The main aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Individualized Meta-Cognitive Training (EMC +), in people with psychosis of brief evolution on symptoms, especially on positive symptoms. Secondary aims would be to assess the effect of EMC+ in metacognition, psychosocial and neuropsychological functioning, and to assess the maintenance of program effects on 6 months.

This is a randomized clinical trial in which some patients receive the EMC+ and others treatment as usual.The evaluator will be blind to the group to which the patients belong. The sample for the overall project will be a total of 70 people with a diagnosis of psychotic spectrum, less than 5 years of experience and with a score => 3 positive PANSS (last month) and treated in one of the participating institutions. The evaluation was performed at baseline, at post-treatment and at 6 months follow up. Symptoms, metacognition, psychosocial and neuropsychological functioning were assessed.

The EMC consists of 10 therapeutic units with weekly sessions of 45-60 minutes. The material available for the Individualized Metacognitive Training (EMC) program is made up of power-point presentations.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of : schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, schizophreniform disorder, psychotic disorder not otherwise specified.
• Less than 5 years of evolution.
• Score at or above 4 on the PANSS during the last year (delusions, grandiosity, suspiciousness).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Traumatic brain injury, dementia, or intellectual disability (premorbid IQ ≤70).
• Substance dependence.
• Score at or above 5 on the PANSS ( Hostility and Uncooperativeness); score at or above 6 on the PANSS (suspiciousness).