Group Metacognitive Therapy for Severe Antidepressant and CBT Resistant Depression: A Baseline-Controlled Trial

This study evaluated the effectiveness of group metacognitive therapy (GMCT) for patients who had not responded to both antidepressants and cognitive-behaviour therapy. Following a no-treatment baseline monitoring period, ten patients received 12 2-h weekly sessions, two post-treatment booster sessions and were followed up at 6 months. All of the patients completed GMCT, suggesting that this treatment was acceptable. GMCT was associated with significant improvements across measures of depression, anxiety, rumination, and positive and negative metacognitive beliefs about rumination. These gains were maintained at follow-up. Analyses of rates of recovery revealed that 70 % of patients were classified as recovered and a further 20 % as improved at both post-treatment and 6 months follow-up. There were also reductions in the frequency of comorbid diagnoses. This preliminary study supports further research into GMCT for treatment-resistant depression as a potential clinical and cost effective intervention.
Source: Cognitive Therapy and Research - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research