Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy for Early Psychosis: A preliminary study of a novel integrative psychotherapy

Jenifer L Vohs; Bethany L Leonhardt; Alison V James; Michael M Francis; Alan Breier; Nikki Mehdiyoun; Andrew C Visco; Paul H Lysaker

doi:10.1016/j.schres.2017.10.041

Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy for Early Psychosis: A preliminary study of a novel integrative psychotherapy

Schizophr Res. 2018 May:195:428-433. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2017.10.041. Epub 2017 Nov 3.

Authors

Jenifer L Vohs¹, Bethany L Leonhardt², Alison V James³, Michael M Francis², Alan Breier², Nikki Mehdiyoun², Andrew C Visco², Paul H Lysaker⁴

Affiliations

¹ Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University Psychotic Disorders Program, 355 W. 16th St., Suite 4800, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Eskenzai Health, Midtown Community Mental Health Centers, Prevention and Recovery Center for Early Psychosis, 720 Eskenazi Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University Psychotic Disorders Program, 355 W. 16th St., Suite 4800, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Eskenzai Health, Midtown Community Mental Health Centers, Prevention and Recovery Center for Early Psychosis, 720 Eskenazi Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
³ San Francisco VA Health Care System, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA.
⁴ Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University Psychotic Disorders Program, 355 W. 16th St., Suite 4800, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Richard L Roudebush VA Medical Center, 1481 W 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.

PMID: 29108671
DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2017.10.041

Abstract

Poor insight impedes treatment in early phase psychosis (EPP). This manuscript outlines preliminary findings of an investigation of the novel metacognitively oriented integrative psychotherapy, Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy, for individuals with early phase psychosis (MERIT-EP). Twenty adults with EPP and poor insight were randomized to either six months of MERIT-EP or treatment as usual (TAU). Therapists were trained and therapy was successfully delivered under routine, outpatient conditions. Insight, assessed before and after treatment, revealed significant improvement for the MERIT-EP, but not TAU, group. These results suggest MERIT-EP is feasible to deliver, accepted by patients, and leads to clinically significant improvements in insight.

Keywords: Early phase psychosis; Insight; MERIT; Psychotherapy; Schizophrenia.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Awareness*
Community Mental Health Centers
Female
Humans
Male
Metacognition / physiology*
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychotherapy / methods*
Psychotic Disorders / psychology*
Psychotic Disorders / rehabilitation*
Treatment Outcome