The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy On Rumination and Intrusive Thoughts in Patients With Bipolar Disorder: Secondary Analyses From a Randomized Controlled Trial
Jelle Lubbers, Dirk E. M. Geurts, Imke Hanssen, Marloes J. Huijbers, Jan Spijker, Anne E. M. Speckens, Mira B. Cladder-Micus
Research Square December 30, 2021 preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1202423/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial (subsample analysis) |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 49 |
| Population | Adults with bipolar type I or II disorder participating in a multicenter randomized controlled trial |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) treatment as usual (TAU) |
| Measures | Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) brooding subscale, breathing focus task (BFT) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Adding MBCT to treatment as usual significantly reduced trait depressive rumination and negative intrusive thoughts from pre- to post-treatment compared with treatment as usual alone, with medium effect sizes, while positive rumination and positive intrusive thoughts did not change significantly. The authors suggest MBCT may reduce depressive rumination in bipolar disorder and possibly lower relapse risk, but note replication is needed. |
Abstract
Background: Preliminary evidence suggests that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a promising treatment for bipolar disorder (BD). One of the proposed working mechanisms of MBCT in attenuating depressive symptoms is through the reduction of depressive rumination. In BD the effect of MBCT on rumination is less well studied. 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. On an exploratory note, we investigated the effect of MBCT on positive rumination and positive intrusive thoughts.
Methods: : 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 negative intrusive thoughts (breathing focus task (BFT)) were assessed at baseline and post-treatment. During the BFT, participants were asked to report negative, positive and neutral intrusive thoughts while focusing on their breathing.
Results: : Compared to TAU alone, MBCT + TAU resulted in a significant pre- to post-treatment reduction of trait depressive rumination ( R 2 = 0.16, F (1, 28) = 5.30, p = .029; medium effect size ( f 2 = 0.19)) and negative intrusive thoughts on the BFT ( R 2 = .15, F (1, 28) = 4.88, p = .036; medium effect size ( f 2 = 0.17)). MBCT did not significantly change positive rumination or positive intrusive thoughts on the BFT.
Conclusions: : MBCT might be a helpful additional intervention to reduce depressive rumination in BD which might reduce risk of depressive relapse or recurrence. Future research is required to replicate our findings and to explore whether this reduction in rumination following MBCT indeed mediates a reduction in depressive symptoms and leads to relapse prevention 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
Cites 11
- Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2000
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse Psychotherapy Research March 1, 2003
- Competence in Teaching Mindfulness-Based Courses: Concepts, Development and Assessment Mindfulness September 21, 2011
- Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy for Nonremitted Patients with Bipolar Disorder CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics April 2, 2011
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research May 25, 2020
and 6 more in the library