Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41428185›Full record

SynthesisActa neurologica Belgica2026

Metacognitive performance in Functional Cognitive Disorder (FCD): A meta-analysis.

Katerina Franekova, Foivos Petridis, Alin Ciobica, Sotirios Papagiannopoulos, Dimitrios Kazis, Ioannis Mavroudis

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Acta neurologica Belgica, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Katerina FranekovaSchool of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. um21kf@leeds.ac.uk.
Foivos PetridisThird Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Alin CiobicaAlexandu Cuza University, Iasi, Romania.
Sotirios PapagiannopoulosThird Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Dimitrios KazisThird Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Ioannis MavroudisSchool of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFunctional Cognitive Disorder (FCD) is defined by persistent subjective cognitive complaints that are inconsistent with objective performance on neuropsychological testing. One leading hypothesis suggests that FCD may involve a dissociation between different forms of metacognition, particularly between global and local self-monitoring mechanisms.

objectiveTo quantitatively synthesize the evidence for global and local metacognitive performance in individuals with FCD through meta-analysis.

methodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies measuring metacognitive performance in FCD, including comparisons with healthy controls and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Global metacognition was assessed using self-appraisal metrics, while local metacognition was measured using trial-by-trial confidence accuracy tools such as meta-d'/d'. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated and pooled using random-effects models.

resultsThree studies were included in the global metacognition analysis, revealing a large pooled effect size indicating impaired global metacognition in FCD (Cohen's d = - 1.07). One study assessed local metacognition and showed no impairment (Cohen's d = 0.00). This supports the proposed dissociation, with preserved local but disrupted global self-monitoring.

conclusionOur findings provide meta-analytic evidence for a substantial deficit in global metacognitive insight in individuals with FCD, while local metacognitive abilities remain relatively intact. These results offer a mechanistic explanation for the discrepancy between subjective complaints and objective test performance in FCD. Interventions targeting global metacognitive appraisal may enhance clinical outcomes. Given the very small number of eligible studies, these findings should be interpreted cautiously and viewed as preliminary.

Indexed as

Cognition DisordersCognitive DysfunctionMetacognitionHumansNeuropsychological TestsFNDFunctional Cognitive DisorderMeta-analysisMeta-cognitionReview

Identifiers

PMID41428185

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.