Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in patients with bipolar affective disorder: A case series

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) reduced interepisodic symptoms and improved emotional regulation and quality of life in five patients with bipolar affective disorder in remission. All five cases showed improvement on measures of depression, anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, experiential avoidance, and quality of life after 8–10 weeks of MBCT. The single-case design with pre- and post-intervention assessment suggests MBCT may benefit this population, though the small sample limits generalizability.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to examine the effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on interepisodic symptoms, emotional regulation, and quality of life in patients with bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) in remission. The sample for the study comprised a total of five patients with the diagnosis of BPAD in partial or complete remission. Each patient was screened to fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria and later assessed on the Beck Depressive Inventory I, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, and The World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment-BREF. Following preassessments, patients underwent 8–10 weeks of MBCT. A single case design with pre- and post-intervention assessment was adopted to evaluate the changes. Improvement was observed in all five cases on the outcome variables. The details of the results are discussed in the context of the available literature. Implications, limitations, and ideas for future investigations are also discussed.