Metacognitive Training as a Serious Game

Metacognitive Training as a Serious Game: A New Approach for the Treatment of Delusions

The project aims to evaluate the efficacy of a therapeutic video game that incorporates elements from metacognitive training on delusions and jumping-to-conclusions in patients with psychotic disorders.

The study is an international, multicenter study and is being conducted in Switzerland (University of Basel) as well as in Germany (University of Lübeck). A total of 36 participants will be included. The estimated duration of the study is 15 months. All participants play a video game from the genre "Third Person Adventure". A character is navigated through a fantasy world using a keyboard and mouse. In the fantasy world, "stations" in the form of glowing gems are sought where players have to solve different tasks.

Participants are randomized to receive either the therapeutic video game with metacognitive training content or another video game with attention and memory tasks ("control intervention"). The control intervention does not include metacognitive tasks. Metacognitive training is an approach for the treatment of psychotic disorders, particularly delusions. The focus of metacognitive training is on thought distortions (so-called "cognitive biases") that are more pronounced in people with psychosis. The control intervention includes easily understandable, playful tasks. The intervention will take 4 appointments within 2 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged between 18 and 40
• diagnosis of a psychotic disorder and current delusions or a history of delusions

Exclusion Criteria:

• Language skills insufficient for assessments
• IQ < 70
• Secondary psychotic disorders that are clearly induced by general medical conditions or substance use.
• Previous participation in meta-cognitive training for psychosis