Validation and clinical application of the Metacognitions Questionnaire in a sample of Brazilian generalized anxiety disorder patients: the effects of different treatment interventions

INTRODUCTION: Metacognitive beliefs about worry may trigger anxiety. However, the effect of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) treatment on metacognition has not yet been investigated. OBJECTIVES: To validate the Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ-30) in a Brazilian GAD sample and verify whether different interventions reduce metacognitive beliefs. METHOD: We recruited 180 GAD individuals and randomized them to Body in Mind Training (BMT), Fluoxetine (FLX), or an active control group (Quality of Life [QoL]) for 8 weeks. The MCQ-30 was assessed for internal consistency, was evaluated with confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses, and was tested for convergent validity with the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were employed to analyze differences after the interventions. RESULTS: The MCQ-30 demonstrated good internal consistency and acceptability; the original five-factor model was supported. There was a positive moderate correlation between MCQ-30 scores and worry. GEE showed a significant group x time interaction (p < 0.001). Both BMT (mean difference [MD] = -6.04, standard error [SE] = -2.39, p = 0.034) and FLX (MD = -5.78, SE = 1.91, p = 0.007) reduced MCQ-30 scores. FLX was superior to QoL, but not BMT, at weeks 5 and 8. There were no differences between BMT and QoL. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian-Portuguese version of MCQ-30 showed good psychometric properties. Furthermore, the positive effect of FLX and BMT on metacognition suggests it may represent a potential therapeutic target.