Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy v. treatment as usual in people with bipolar disorder: A multicentre, randomised controlled trial.
Imke Hanssen, Marloes J. Huijbers, Eline Regeer, Marc Lochmann van Bennekom, Anja Stevens, Petra Van Dijk, Elvira Boere, Rob Havermans, Rogier Hoenders, Ralph Kupka, Anne E. M. Speckens
Psychological Medicine October 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1017/S0033291723000090 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 144 |
| Population | Participants with bipolar disorder type I and II |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy |
| Duration | 15-month follow-up |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Bipolar disorder Effectiveness Randomised controlled trial |
| Citations | 7 |
| Registration | NCT03507647 NCT01126827 |
| Key findings | Adding MBCT to treatment as usual was not more efficacious than treatment as usual alone for reducing depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder, but exploratory analysis suggested benefit for those with higher baseline depression and functional impairment. |
Abstract
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) seems a promising intervention for bipolar disorder (BD), but there is a lack of randomised controlled trials (RCT) investigating this. The purpose of this multicentre, evaluator blinded RCT was to investigate the added value of MBCT to treatment as usual (TAU) in BD up to 15 months follow-up (NCT03507647). A total of 144 participants with BD type I and II were randomised to MBCT + TAU (n = 72) and TAU (n = 72). Primary outcome was current depressive symptoms. Secondary outcomes were current (hypo)manic and anxiety symptoms, recurrence rates, rumination, dampening of positive affect, functional impairment, mindfulness skills, self-compassion, and positive mental health. Potential moderators of treatment outcome were examined. MBCT + TAU was not more efficacious than TAU in reducing current depressive symptoms at post-treatment (95% CI [-7.0 to 1.8], p = 0.303, d = 0.24) or follow-up (95% CI [-2.2 to 6.3], p = 0.037, d = 0.13). At post-treatment, MBCT + TAU was more effective than TAU in improving mindfulness skills. At follow-up, TAU was more effective than MBCT + TAU in reducing trait anxiety and improving mindfulness skills and positive mental health. Exploratory analysis revealed that participants with higher depressive symptoms and functional impairment at baseline benefitted more from MBCT + TAU than TAU. In these participants with highly recurrent BD, MBCT may be a treatment option in addition to TAU for those who suffer from moderate to severe levels of depression and functional impairment. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03507647. Registered the 25 April 2018, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01126827.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Trial-based economic evaluation of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy compared to treatment as usual for bipolar disorder. International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research September 12, 2023
- The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Psychoeducation Program on Mindfulness, Self-Compassion, and Forgiveness Tendencies of Patients with Bipolar Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Clinical Nursing Research August 4, 2026
- The effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on rumination and related psychological indicators: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychology August 26, 2025
Cites 15
- Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse JAMA Psychiatry April 28, 2016
- Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy for Nonremitted Patients with Bipolar Disorder CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics April 2, 2011
- Adverse or therapeutic? A mixed-methods study investigating adverse effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in bipolar disorder. PLoS One December 2, 2021
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression. Industrial Psychiatry Journal October 29, 2024
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus psychoeducational intervention in bipolar outpatients: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Spanish journal of psychiatry and mental health 2023
and 10 more in the library