Long-term outcomes of Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy for people diagnosed with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated long-term outcomes of Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy. Previous studies have shown the approach to be effective in enhancing recovery and metacognition in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

DESIGN: A 2-year longitudinal follow-up case study design.

METHODS: Eight people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia received an average of 52 sessions over 13-26 months. Follow-up interviews were conducted and self-report measures administered at approximately 2 years (22-30 months) post-completion of therapy.

RESULTS: The majority of participants demonstrated reliable improvement from pre-treatment to 2-year follow-up on one or more of the outcome measures with some variation in patterns of improvement.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first evidence that therapeutic gains in recovery and metacognition during Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy for people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia can be maintained at 2-year follow-up. Larger, controlled trials are warranted to ascertain the most important factors contributing to the facilitation and maintenance of gains over time.

PRACTITIONER POINTS: Research demonstrates the value of longer-term psychotherapy for patients with more severe and longer-term difficulties resulting from psychotic spectrum disorders. Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy has been demonstrated to facilitate improvement in a proportion of patients who present with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Components of Metacognitive Narrative Psychotherapy can be incorporated into a range of therapeutic approaches for the benefit of patients.