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अमूर्त

Group Metacognitive Therapy for Patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder at Risk for Sick Leave: A Pilot Study

Karoline Kanafa, Lena Strømmen, Odin Hjemdal, Hilde Dallavara Lending, Kjetil Hodne, Ane Tveit Hammersmark, Kåre Osnes, Marit Hannisdal, Ragne Gjengedal, Nils Inge Landro, Sverre Urnes Johnson

Background: The aim of this pilot study is to explore the feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of group Metacognitive Therapy (g-MCT) as a treatment for individuals primarily diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) who are on sick leave or at risk. Given the high comorbidity between GAD and depression and the transdiagnostic nature of Metacognitive Therapy (MCT), the study will also investigate changes in depressive symptoms.

Methods: The study cohort consists of patients referred to the "Poliklinikk psykisk Helse og Arbeid" (PHA), an outpatient clinic at Diakonhjemmet Hospital in Oslo, Norway. Feasibility was assessed based on treatment completion rates, dropout rates and the number of potential candidates for this group treatment. Treatment effectiveness was measured using self-report questionnaires that assessed anxiety, depression, metacognitive beliefs, and work-related self-efficacy.

Results: 27 patients (71%) met the eligibility criteria and started treatment. Only one patient (3.7%) dropped out, resulting in 26 patients completing g-MCT. These 26 patients attended an average of 9.3 sessions. The two therapists spent an average of 3.1 hours each per patient on the therapy, which is less than would be required for an individual MCT. Using the Jacobson-Truax method for clinically significant change, 95.2% of patients were classified as either recovered (57.1%) or improved (38.1%) from their GAD post-treatment, and 47.6% achieved recovery from their depressive symptoms post-treatment.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that g-MCT is a feasible, acceptable, and effective treatment for GAD.