Thingbak et al (2024) recently evaluated if group-Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) is potentially effective in young people with anxiety and depression.

In an uncontrolled trial, 97 young people (aged 10-17) received 8 sessions of group MCT. There were large decreases in total symptoms at post treatment (Cohen’s d = 1.28), with treatment gains maintained at six-month follow up (Cohen’s d = 1.18).

Thingbak et al also evaluated the psychological mechanisms were that were associated with changes in symptoms of anxiety and depression symptoms.They found that changes in symptoms were associated with changes in metacognitive beliefs, the CAS-1 C (measure of the cognitive attentional syndrome), and subjective attention control.

While the results are promising, the study was an uncontrolled trial, so the results of MCT for CYP are preliminary. Future research is needed that evaluates the effectiveness of MCT in comparison to a control group.

Check out the full article here.