title: Metacognitive training for young subjects (MCT young version) in the early stages of psychosis: Is the duration of untreated psychosis a limiting factor?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The treatment program 'Metacognitive training for patients with schizophrenia' (MCT) addresses cognitive biases assumed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of delusions (e.g., jumping to conclusions, theory of mind deficits). The aim of our study was to examine the effectiveness and the feasibility of this intervention targeted to early phases of psychosis (MCT young version).
  
  
  METHODS
  An experimental design included two groups of subjects on the basis of their duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) 'short' (less or equal than 12 months) and 'long' DUP (longer than 12 months), assessed at baseline and after the 4-month intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-six young subjects affected by early psychosis were assessed on psychopathology, social functioning, neurocognitive, and metacognitive measures. The primary outcome was the reduction of psychopathology. Secondary outcomes included reduction of cognitive and emotional dysfunction and improvement of social functioning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of the 4-month MCT, both groups showed significant improvements in many variables: positive symptoms, cognitive functions, as verbal memory, attention and mental flexibility, and metacognitive functions, as cognitive insight. Significant and positive changes were found in theory of mind abilities and social perception.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The difference in DUP between the two groups of young subjects of our sample did not seem to influence the intervention outcomes, still taking into account that the average difference between the two groups in terms of DUP is 12.6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Metacognition refers to the general ability 'to think about thinking,' that is, the ability to think about one's mental state and the mental states of others. Persons with schizophrenia experience different metacognitive impairments. The metacognitive training for patients with schizophrenia - young version can be applied to young people affected by psychosis and seems to improve symptomatology, social functioning, cognitive, and metacognitive abilities, independently by their Duration of Untreated Psychosis over a 2-year period.
authors: Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Donatella
authors: D
authors: Ussorio
authors: Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Giusti
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg - Eppendorf, Germany.
authors: Charlotte E
authors: CE
authors: Wittekind
authors: Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Valeria
authors: V
authors: Bianchini
authors: Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Malavolta
authors: Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Rocco
authors: R
authors: Pollice
authors: Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Casacchia
authors: Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Rita
authors: R
authors: Roncone
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000067489:Metacognition; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cognition; early psychosis; psychological treatment