Mindfulness based cognitive therapy for youth with inflammatory bowel disease and depression - Findings from a pilot randomised controlled trial.

An adapted mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) program for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and comorbid depression is feasible and improves depression, stress, mindfulness, and adaptive coping. In a pilot randomized controlled trial, 64 AYAs aged 16–29 were assigned to MBCT or treatment as usual. At 8 weeks, the MBCT group showed significantly lower depression and stress scores, and higher active coping and total mindfulness scores. At 20 weeks, improvements in mindful awareness and coping by positive reframing and planning were sustained. The study suggests MBCT holds promise as a component of integrated IBD care.

Study at a glance

Abstract

BACKGROUND Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a promising adjunctive treatment for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and comorbid depression. OBJECTIVES This pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) aimed to evaluate feasibility and efficacy of an adapted MBCT program for AYA, aged 16-29, with IBD. METHODS Sixty-four AYAs were randomly allocated to MBCT (n = 33) or treatment as usual (TAU) (n = 31). Primary outcome measure was the depression score on Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. Secondary outcomes included anxiety, stress, IBD-related quality of life, coping, mindfulness, post-traumatic growth, medication adherence, IBD activity, inflammatory markers, microbiome characteristics and brain functional connectivity. RESULTS Study recruitment rate was 75%, retention rate 70%, and session attendance 92%. Intention to treat analyses revealed that, compared to TAU group, MBCT group had significantly lower depression (∆ = -6.0; 95%CI = -10.8 to -1.2; P = 0.015) and stress (∆ = -5.1; 95%CI = -10.1 to -0.0; P = 0.049), higher active coping (∆ = 1.0;95%CI = 0.1-1.9; P = 0.022), and total mindfulness scores (∆ = 10.9;95%CI = 1.1-20.8; P = 0.030) at 8 weeks (post-therapy), and improved coping by positive reframing (∆ = 1.1;95%CI = 0.0-2.2; P = 0.043) and planning (∆ = 0.9;95%CI = 0.0-1.9; P = 0.045), mindful awareness (∆ = 5.2.;95%CI = 2.0-8.5; P = 0.002) and total mindfulness scores (∆ = 10.8.;95%CI = 0.4-21.1; P = 0.042) at 20 weeks. On per protocol analysis, MBCT group had significantly lower depression (∆ = -6.3; 95%CI = -11.4 to -1.2; P = 0.015), stress (∆ = -6.0; 95%CI = -11.2 to -0.5; P = 0.032), increased active coping (∆ = 0.9;95%CI = 0-1.7; P = 0.05) at 8 weeks, and mindful awareness (∆ = 5.4; 95%CI = 2.1-8.6; P = 0.001) at 20 weeks. CONCLUSION In AYAs with IBD, MBCT is feasible and beneficial in improving depression, stress, mindfulness and adaptive coping. It holds promise as an important component of integrated IBD care. Trial registration number ACTRN12617000876392, U1111-1197-7370; Pre-results.