Metacognitive therapy in treatment-resistant depression: A platform trial

Patients with treatment-resistant depression received up to 8 sessions of metacognitive therapy (MCT) targeting attentional control, rumination, worry, and metacognitive beliefs. A baseline period was followed by weekly sessions with follow-up assessments at 6 and 12 months post treatment. Large and statistically significant improvements occurred in all symptom measures at post treatment and were maintained over follow-up. Two out of 3 process measures significantly improved at post treatment and all of these measures were improved at follow-up. Treatment was associated with similar response rates on the BDI and Hamilton rating scale. Using liberal criteria 80% of completers were classified as recovered at post treatment and 70% at follow-up on the BDI. In the intention to treat sample 66.6% were recovered at post treatment and 58.3% at follow-up. More stringent criteria showed 60% recovery rates at post treatment and at 12m. The results suggest that MCT could be a brief and effective treatment and they provide a precedent for more definitive randomized controlled trials. ► Metacognitive therapy was applied in treatment-resistant depression. ► A mean of 6.5 sessions of treatment was associated with significant improvements. ► Formal recovery rates of 60–80 per cent were observed at post treatment. ► Effects were largely maintained at 12 month follow-up.