The effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on rumination and a task-based measure of intrusive thoughts in patients with bipolar disorder.
Jelle Lubbers, Dirk E. M. Geurts, Imke Hanssen, Marloes J. Huijbers, Jan Spijker, Anne E. M. Speckens, Mira B. Cladder-Micus
International Journal of Bipolar Disorders August 12, 2022 DOI: 10.1186/s40345-022-00269-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 49 |
| Population | Subsample of adults with bipolar disorder type I or II participating in a multicenter randomized controlled trial |
| Measures | Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) brooding subscale, breathing focus task (BFT) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Bipolar disorder Breathing focus task Depressive rumination Intrusive thoughts Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Positive rumination |
| Key findings | Compared with treatment as usual alone, MBCT plus treatment as usual significantly reduced trait depressive rumination (R2 = .16, F(1, 27) = 5.15, p = 0.031; medium effect size f2 = 0.19) and negative intrusive thoughts on the breathing focus task (R2 = .15, F(1, 28) = 4.88, p = 0.036; medium effect size f2 = 0.17). MBCT did not significantly change positive rumination or positive intrusive thoughts. The authors suggest MBCT may be a helpful additional intervention to reduce depressive rumination in bipolar disorder, potentially lowering relapse or recurrence risk, but note the findings are preliminary and require replication. |
Abstract
Preliminary evidence suggests that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a promising treatment for bipolar disorder (BD). A proposed working mechanism of MBCT in attenuating depressive symptoms is reducing depressive rumination. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of MBCT on self-reported trait depressive rumination and an experimental state measure of negative intrusive thoughts in BD patients. Exploratively, we investigated the effect of MBCT on positive rumination and positive intrusive thoughts. The study population consisted of a subsample of bipolar type I or II patients participating in a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing MBCT + treatment as usual (TAU) (N = 25) to TAU alone (N = 24). Trait depressive rumination (RRS brooding subscale) and intrusive thoughts (breathing focus task (BFT)) were assessed at baseline (full subsample) and post-treatment (MBCT + TAU; n = 15, TAU; n = 15). During the BFT, participants were asked to report negative, positive and neutral intrusive thoughts while focusing on their breathing. Compared to TAU alone, MBCT + TAU resulted in a significant pre- to post-treatment reduction of trait depressive rumination (R2 = .16, F(1, 27) = 5.15, p = 0.031; medium effect size (f2 = 0.19)) and negative intrusive thoughts on the BFT (R2 = .15, F(1, 28) = 4.88, p = 0.036; medium effect size (f2 = 0.17)). MBCT did not significantly change positive rumination or positive intrusive thoughts. MBCT might be a helpful additional intervention to reduce depressive rumination in BD which might reduce risk of depressive relapse or recurrence. Considering the preliminary nature of our findings, future research should replicate our findings and explore whether this reduction in rumination following MBCT indeed mediates a reduction in depressive symptoms and relapse or recurrence in BD.
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 4
- Rumination and Self-Compassion Moderate Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Patients With Recurrent and Persistent Major Depressive Disorder: A Controlled Trial. Depression and Anxiety 2024
- Effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on rumination and post-traumatic growth in patients with acute cerebral infarction: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine May 30, 2025
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Quality of Life and Mental Health Among Women With Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. SAGE Open Nursing 2026
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression after traumatic brain injury: responders’ characteristics The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist 2025
Cites 13
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and 8 more in the library