Trial Outcomes & Findings for Metacognitive and Insight Therapy for Persons With Schizophrenia (RCT MERIT) (NCT NCT03427580)

NCT ID: NCT03427580

Last Updated: 2025-03-06

Results Overview

The Metacognition Assessment Scale-Abbreviated (MAS-A) is a rating scale used to assess metacognitive abilities in individuals, particularly those with psychiatric conditions. The scale consists of four domains that reflect one's ability to understand different mental phenomena and use this understanding in order to cope with psychological challenges. Higher scores indicate a higher complexity of functions and ideas in each domain, i.e. higher values represent a better outcome. The four scales/domains: 1. self-reflectivity (min 1 to max 9) ; 2. understanding of the other's mind (min 1 to max 7) ; 3. decentration (min 1 to max 3) ; 4. mastery (min 1 to max 9). The total score is the sum of the ratings in each subscale. Thus, the total score can be ranged from 4 (min) to 28 (max), when higher values represent a better outcome.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

54 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Prior to the begining of the therapy (baseline, pre-treatment), and again at the end of the therapy (six months later, post-treatment)

Results posted on

2025-03-06

Participant Flow

Participants were 35 adults diagnosed with of schizophrenia /schizoaffective disorder. Exclusion criteria: intellectual disability, neurological disorders, substance use problems, acute psychosis, and risk for suicidal behavior, based on the intake interview. The study used a delayed randomized controlled trial design to examine the therapeutic benefits of MERIT delivered in a community clinic at Bar-Ilan University.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Treatment Group
MERIT: Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy
Delayed Treatment Control Group
MERIT: Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy
Overall Study
STARTED
31
23
Overall Study
COMPLETED
21
14
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
10
9

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Race and Ethnicity were not collected from any participant.

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Treatment Group
n=31 Participants
MERIT: Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy
Delayed Treatment Control Group
n=23 Participants
MERIT: Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy
Total
n=54 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
39 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.63 • n=31 Participants
40.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.71 • n=23 Participants
39.6 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.74 • n=54 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
18 Participants
n=31 Participants
14 Participants
n=23 Participants
32 Participants
n=54 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
13 Participants
n=31 Participants
9 Participants
n=23 Participants
22 Participants
n=54 Participants
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected
0 Participants
Race and Ethnicity were not collected from any participant.
Region of Enrollment
Israel
21 participants
n=21 Participants • The number analyzed in row differs from overall due to dropouts.
14 participants
n=14 Participants • The number analyzed in row differs from overall due to dropouts.
35 participants
n=35 Participants • The number analyzed in row differs from overall due to dropouts.

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Prior to the begining of the therapy (baseline, pre-treatment), and again at the end of the therapy (six months later, post-treatment)

Population: The N in the "POST" row is following dropouts. Treatment Group Arm: Baseline/pre-treatment and post-treatment at 24 weeks; For Delayed Treatment Control Group Arm: Baseline/pre-waiting period and 6 months post-waiting period prior to starting treatment.

The Metacognition Assessment Scale-Abbreviated (MAS-A) is a rating scale used to assess metacognitive abilities in individuals, particularly those with psychiatric conditions. The scale consists of four domains that reflect one's ability to understand different mental phenomena and use this understanding in order to cope with psychological challenges. Higher scores indicate a higher complexity of functions and ideas in each domain, i.e. higher values represent a better outcome. The four scales/domains: 1. self-reflectivity (min 1 to max 9) ; 2. understanding of the other's mind (min 1 to max 7) ; 3. decentration (min 1 to max 3) ; 4. mastery (min 1 to max 9). The total score is the sum of the ratings in each subscale. Thus, the total score can be ranged from 4 (min) to 28 (max), when higher values represent a better outcome.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Delayed Treatment Control Group
n=31 Participants
MERIT: Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy
Treatment Group
n=23 Participants
MERIT: Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy
Metacognition Assessment Scale-Abbreviated (MAS-A)
Post (treatment/waiting period)
14.22 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.4
14.25 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 4.2
Metacognition Assessment Scale-Abbreviated (MAS-A)
Pre (treatment/waiting period)
11.53 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 3.7
14.22 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.75

Adverse Events

Treatment Group

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Delayed Treatment Control Group

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Prof. Ilanit Hasson-Ohayon

Bar-Ilan University

Phone: +972-3-5317673

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place