Background: Evidence of the effect of metacognitive and social cognitive impairment
on the symptoms and functioning of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia led to the
development of the Metacognitive Training. We hypothesise that improvement in these
cognitive functions leads to less severe symptoms and to better adaptation to real-life
social situations, which would be reflected in aspects of the patients’ demographic
status. Method: We report the additional findings of a randomised, controlled, single-blind
study with a six-month follow-up period. We provided 36 patients with training to
improve their metacognition and social cognition. The control group received treatment
as usual. Symptom severity, measured by the PANSS scale, and demographic data were
assessed at baseline and six months after the training. Results: Compared to the control
group, the intervention group showed less severe symptoms, and achieved more progress
in demographic status. These steps may be statistically non-significant; yet, may
represent crucial changes in some patients’ lives. Discussion: Metacognitive Training
is not only an appropriate method to decrease symptom severity, but the training of
metacognitive and social cognitive functions can also contribute to a better adaptation
to real-life.
