None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Treatments that target the risk factors for relapse in bipolar disorder are vital if a better prognosis for this disorder is to be achieved. This study will investigate a novel approach to preventing relapse (mindfulness-based cognitive therapy). A randomised controlled trial will be conducted comparing two groups; Mindfulness based Cognitive Therapy and Treatment as Usual (which will include the addition of bipolar education material).
Interventions
Patients allocated to the Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program would receive 8 weekly sessions of group therapy based on the MBCT treatment manual developed by Segal et al (2000). Modules include an explanation of mindfulness meditation from a cognitive perspective and a series of meditation practices including a breathing meditation, a body scan meditation and mindfulness of walking. Sessions are administered by a psychologist and last approximately 2 hours. Participants alloca
Patients allocated to the Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program would receive 8 weekly sessions of group therapy based on the MBCT treatment manual developed by Segal et al (2000). Modules include an explanation of mindfulness meditation from a cognitive perspective and a series of meditation practices including a breathing meditation, a body scan meditation and mindfulness of walking. Sessions are administered by a psychologist and last approximately 2 hours. Participants allocated to this condition also receive written education material about bipolar disorder on a weekly basis for 8 weeks.
Sponsors
University of NSW
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
(i) lifetime Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) diagnosis of bipolar I or II disorder, (ii) able to be maintained on a mood stabilizing medication for the duration of treatment, (iii) be at least 18 years of age, (iv) at least secondary school education, (v) be able to provide informed consent, (vi) be fluent in written and spoken English, (vii) be currently under the care of a General medical Practitioner or psychiatrist who would review medication as necessary, (viii) have experienced at least one bipolar disorder episode (hypo/mania, depression, mixed episode) over the past 18 months, and (ix) have a lifetime incidence of at least 3 bipolar episodes.
Exclusion criteria
(i) currently experiencing a bipolar episode (either depressed or (hypo)manic - patients would be required to be reassessed for the study once their symptoms had remitted), (ii) diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, current substance abuse disorder, organic brain syndrome, antisocial or borderline personality disorder, (iii) concurrent significant medical condition impeding ability to participate, and (iv) receiving formalised psychological therapy while in treatment phase of the study.
Outcome results
None listed