Self-Reported Long-Term Benefits of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Patients with Bipolar Disorder.
Béatrice Weber, Loretta Sala, Marianne Gex-Fabry, Aurélie Docteur, Philip Gorwood, Paolo Cordera, Guido Bondolfi, Françoise Jermann, Jean-Michel Aubry, Christine Mirabel-Sarron
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine July 2017 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2016.0427 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 71 |
| Population | Outpatients with bipolar disorder (DSM-IV) who had participated in at least four MBCT sessions at specialized outpatient units in Geneva, Switzerland and Paris, France |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | At least 2 years after MBCT for 70.4% of participants |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Bipolar disorder Long-term benefit Mindfulness practice Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Mood disorder Relapse prevention |
| Key findings | Patients with bipolar disorder surveyed at least two years after MBCT reported moderate perceived benefit for relapse prevention but long-lasting effects and persistent lifestyle changes. About 55% practiced formal mindfulness weekly and 57.7% practiced informally. Informal practice was significantly associated with persistent daily-life changes (p = 0.038) and mindful breathing with better prevention of depressive relapse (p = 0.035); weekly formal practice showed a trend toward lasting effects (p = 0.052). The most frequently reported change was increased awareness of being able to improve one's health. |
Abstract
This study focused on patients with bipolar disorder (BD), several years after their participation in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). It aimed at documenting sustained mindfulness practice, perceived long-term benefit from the program, and changes regarded as direct consequences of the intervention. This cross-sectional survey took place at least 2 years after MBCT for 70.4% of participants. It was conducted in two specialized outpatient units for BDs that are part of the Geneva University Hospitals (Switzerland) and the Sainte-Anne Hospital in Paris (France). Eligibility criteria were a diagnosis of BD according to DSM-IV and participation in at least four MBCT sessions. Response rate was 66.4%. The final sample included 71 outpatients (71.8% bipolar I, 28.2% bipolar II). A questionnaire retrospectively assessed patient-perceived change, benefit from MBCT, and current mindfulness practice. Proportions of respondents who practiced mindfulness at least once a week were 54.9% for formal practice (body scan, sitting meditation, mindful walking, or movements) and 57.7% for informal practice (mindful daily activities). Perceived benefit for the prevention of relapse was moderate, but patients acknowledged long-lasting effects and persistent changes in their way of life. Formal mindfulness practice at least once a week tended to be associated with increased long-lasting effects (p = 0.052), whereas regular informal practice and mindful breathing were significantly associated with persistent changes in daily life (p = 0.038) and better prevention of depressive relapse (p = 0.035), respectively. The most frequently reported positive change was increased awareness of being able to improve one's health. Despite methodological limitations, this survey allowed documenting mindfulness practice and perceived sustained benefit from MBCT in patients with BD. Participants particularly valued increased awareness that they can influence their own health. Both informal and formal practices, when sustained in the long term, might promote long-lasting changes.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Experienced meditators and nonmeditating comparison groups | 2008 | Cross-sectional study | |
| Neural Correlates of Dispositional Mindfulness During Affect Labeling Adult participants | 2007 | Observational cross-sectional | n = 27 |
| Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). School-aged children and adolescents | 2011 | Cross-sectional validation study | n = 1,413 |
| Mindfulness and self-compassion as predictors of psychological wellbeing in long-term meditators and matched nonmeditators Experienced meditators and demographically matched nonmeditators | 2012 | Cross-sectional study | n = 152 |
| Mechanisms of Action in the Inverse Relationship Between Mindfulness and Psychological Distress Undergraduates | 2008 | Cross-sectional, correlational |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Mindfulness Practice in Recovery From Bipolar Disorder: Qualitative Study Results and Humanistic Implications Journal of Humanistic Psychology May 9, 2023
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy versus psychoeducational intervention in bipolar outpatients: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Spanish journal of psychiatry and mental health 2023
- Effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy vs. psychoeducational intervention on plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cognitive function in bipolar patients: a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2023
- Impacts of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on the Psychological and Functional Wellbeing of Patients with Bipolar Disorders OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine November 5, 2018
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Bipolar Disorder: A Systematic Review Journal of Affective Disorders July 6, 2018
Cites 13
- Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy for Nonremitted Patients with Bipolar Disorder CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics April 2, 2011
- Monitoring mindfulness practice quality: An important consideration in mindfulness practice Psychotherapy Research October 9, 2012
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Bipolar Disorder Journal of Psychiatric Practice November 1, 2011
- Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for relapse prophylaxis in mood disorders World Psychiatry September 22, 2016
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for depression. Industrial Psychiatry Journal October 29, 2024
and 8 more in the library