Transdiagnostic metacognitive therapy versus disorder-specific cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult anxiety
Transdiagnostic Metacognitive Therapy Compared to Disorder-Specific Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Superiority Trial
This tests whether transdiagnostic metacognitive therapy works better than disorder-specific cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults with generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or PTSD.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 86 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Karolinska Institutet Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Stockholm) |
| Trial ID | NCT06937892 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional trial compares two psychological treatments—transdiagnostic metacognitive therapy (MCT) and disorder-specific cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)—for adults whose primary diagnosis is GAD, SAD, or PTSD. Participants must be 18 or older, able to read and speak Swedish, and on a stable psychiatric medication dose for at least six weeks to enroll. Key exclusions include current psychotic or bipolar disorder, moderate to severe substance use disorder, acute suicide risk, or receiving simultaneous psychological treatment. Treatments are delivered at Stockholm North Psychiatry Clinic by clinicians affiliated with Karolinska Institutet and Region Stockholm.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) with a primary diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, or PTSD who can read and speak Swedish and have had stable medication doses for at least six weeks are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People with current psychosis, bipolar disorder, moderate to severe substance use disorder, acute suicidal risk, those already receiving psychotherapy, or those unable to attend sessions in Stockholm or speak Swedish are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, MCT could offer a single treatment approach that improves remission rates and reduces dropout compared with disorder-specific CBT for common anxiety disorders.
How similar studies have performed: Meta-analyses and individual trials have suggested MCT can outperform CBT for some anxiety conditions, but direct transdiagnostic comparisons across GAD, SAD, and PTSD are less well established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 years of age or older * A principal (most interfering and/or severe) diagnosis of GAD, SAD or PTSD * If on pharmacological treatment, no change in dose during the last six weeks * Ability to read and speak Swedish Exclusion Criteria: * A current diagnosis of psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, neurocognitive disorder, or moderate to severe substance use disorder * Acute risk of suicide * Simultaneous psychological treatment
Where this trial is running
Stockholm
- Stockholm North Psychiatry Clinic — Stockholm, Sweden (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Benjamin Bohman, PhD
- Email: benjamin.bohman@ki.se
- Phone: +46 70 171 34 43
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.