Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for youth with anxiety disorders at risk for bipolar disorder: a pilot trial.
Sian Cotton, Christina M. Luberto, Richard W. Sears, Jeffrey R. Strawn, Lauren A Stahl, Rachel S. Wasson, Thomas J. Blom, Melissa P. DelBello
Early Intervention in Psychiatry October 2016 DOI: 10.1111/eip.12216 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Uncontrolled pre-post pilot study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 10 |
| Population | Youth (children and adolescents) with generalized, social and/or separation anxiety disorders who have a parent with bipolar disorder; mean age 13.2 years, 80% girls, 40% biracial |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for children (MBCT-C) |
| Duration | 12 weekly sessions |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Mbct-c Bipolar Youth |
| Key points | Clinician-rated anxiety decreased from a mean of 11.1 before to 4.3 after 12 weeks of MBCT-C, and youth-rated trait anxiety also decreased, with increases in mindfulness associated with decreases in anxiety. The authors report high feasibility, acceptability, and usefulness, and conclude that MBCT-C shows preliminary efficacy for anxiety in youth at risk for bipolar disorder, while noting that larger controlled studies are needed. |
Abstract
Children and adolescents with bipolar parents have an elevated risk for anxiety disorders. However, antidepressant medications commonly used to treat symptoms of anxiety may accelerate the onset of mania in these already at-risk youth. Therefore, studies evaluating innovative non-pharmacologic treatments for anxiety in this population are urgently needed. Subjects participated in 12 weekly sessions of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for children (MBCT-C), a manualized group psychotherapeutic intervention utilizing cognitive behavioural principles and mindfulness exercises to increase regulation of attention and non-judgmental acceptance of present moment thoughts, emotions and experiences. Independent raters administered symptoms rating scales prior to each treatment session. Spearman correlations and paired-samples signed rank tests were used to examine outcomes. After-intervention surveys and session transcripts were reviewed to assess feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. Participants included 10 youth (meanage = 13.2; 80% girls; 40% biracial) with generalized, social and/or separation anxiety disorders, and a parent with bipolar disorder. Clinician-rated anxiety was significantly reduced after intervention (meanbefore = 11.1; meanafter = 4.3; P < 0.01), as well as youth-rated trait anxiety (P = 0.03). Parent-rated emotion regulation significantly increased from before to after intervention (P = 0.05). Increases in mindfulness were associated with decreases in anxiety (P = 0.03). Finally, children and parents/guardians reported high levels of feasibility, acceptability and usefulness of the intervention. Findings support the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of MBCT-C for treating anxiety in youth at risk for bipolar disorder. Future controlled and larger studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
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- Effectiveness and satisfaction of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for children on anxiety, depression, and internet addiction in adolescents: Study protocol for a randomized control trial. PLoS One 2025
- Prevention of internalizing difficulties in the middle years: Protocol for a noninferiority randomized trial of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Children and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Early Intervention in Psychiatry July 1, 2024
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy untuk Menurunkan Kecemasan dalam Masa Quarter Life Intuisi : Jurnal Psikologi Ilmiah July 31, 2023
and 13 more in the library
Cites 16
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- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology 2004
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- Mindfulness Training for Elementary School Students Journal of Applied School Psychology July 6, 2005
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