Introduction: The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a metacognitive based therapy
on reducing anxiety and depression symptoms in patients with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, by
using a single case design.
Method: Three consecutive chronic outpatients fulfilling DSM-IV and criteria for PTSD were treated
according to Core treatment manual of PTSD. Patients were assessed with a battery of measures,
including the Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Beck
Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDs).
Results: The treatment was associated with large reductions in the specific measures of PTSD (IES-R
total score), reductions in general measures of anxiety (BAI), depression (BDI-II), distress (SUDs).
Conclusion: The results of these case studies provide further support for the clinical efficacy of
metacognitive therapy, and in a different culture than the treatment was originally developed.
Although this study is limited by the absence of a control group, these results clearly imply strong and
generalized results for metacognitive therapy. The treatment appears therefore promising, although a
controlled evaluation of its effectiveness is necessary to draw a definitive conclusion.