Metacognitive training (MCT) for schizophrenia improves cognitive insight: a randomized controlled trial in a Chinese sample with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Metacognitive training (MCT) is a group-based treatment program for people with schizophrenia that targets the cognitive biases thought to contribute to the pathogenesis and maintenance of delusions. Although effective in reducing the severity of delusions, the influence of MCT on cognitive insight, and its feasibility in Chinese culture, has yet to be investigated. The present randomized-controlled trial attempted to address these inconsistencies. A Chinese sample of 80 participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders was randomized to the eight-module MCT program or continued treatment as usual (TAU). All participants were assessed using the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, which assesses two components of cognitive insight (self-reflectiveness and self-certainty). Participants in the MCT condition subjectively rated their satisfaction with the training. Retention rates were high after four-weeks of MCT (n = 38) or TAU (n = 39). Clients randomized into the MCT condition rated the program favourably and showed significant improvements in cognitive insight (i.e., increased self-reflectiveness), relative to TAU controls, who exhibited decreases in cognitive insight at follow-up. These findings suggest that the MCT program is not only subjectively efficacious in Chinese samples, but also improves metacognitive awareness of the processes underlying delusional symptoms.

Usability of a virtual reality environment simulating an automated teller machine for assessing and training persons with acquired brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the usability of a newly designed virtual reality (VR) environment simulating the operation of an automated teller machine (ATM) for assessment and training. DESIGN: Part I involved evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity of a non-immersive VR program simulating an ATM (VR-ATM). Part II consisted of a clinical trial providing baseline and post-intervention outcome assessments. SETTING: A rehabilitation hospital and university-based teaching facilities were used as the setting. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 24 persons in the community with acquired brain injury (ABI)--14 in Part I and 10 in Part II--made up the participants in the study. INTERVENTIONS: In Part I, participants were randomized to receive instruction in either an "early" or a "late" VR-ATM program and were assessed using both the VR program and a real ATM. In Part II, participants were assigned in matched pairs to either VR training or computer-assisted instruction (CAI) teaching programs for six 1-hour sessions over a three-week period. OUTCOME MEASURES: Two behavioral checklists based on activity analysis of cash withdrawals and money transfers using a real ATM were used to measure average reaction time, percentage of incorrect responses, level of cues required, and time spent as generated by the VR system; also used was the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the VR-ATM was 100% for cash withdrawals and 83.3% for money transfers, and the specificity was 83% and 75%, respectively. For cash withdrawals, the average reaction time of the VR group was significantly shorter than that of the CAI group (p = 0.021). We found no significant differences in average reaction time or accuracy between groups for money transfers, although we did note positive improvement for the VR-ATM group. CONCLUSION: We found the VR-ATM to be usable as a valid assessment and training tool for relearning the use of ATMs prior to real-life practice in persons with ABI.