title: A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for bipolar disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) plus treatment as usual (TAU) to TAU alone for patients with bipolar disorder over a 12-month follow-up period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants with a DSM-IV diagnosis of bipolar disorder were randomly allocated to either MBCT plus TAU or TAU alone. Primary outcome measures were time to recurrence of a DSM-IV major depressive, hypomanic or manic episode; the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS); and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Secondary outcome measures were number of recurrences, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-five participants with bipolar disorder were recruited to the study (MBCT = 48; TAU = 47). Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis found no significant differences between the groups on either time to first recurrence of a mood episode or total number of recurrences over the 12-month period. Furthermore, there were no significant between-group differences on the MADRS or YMRS scales. A significant between-group difference was found in STAI - state anxiety scores. There was a significant treatment by time interaction for the DAS - achievement subscale.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While MBCT did not lead to significant reductions in time to depressive or hypo/manic relapse, total number of episodes, or mood symptom severity at 12-month follow-up, there was some evidence for an effect on anxiety symptoms. This finding suggests a potential role of MBCT in reducing anxiety comorbid with bipolar disorder.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. t.perich@unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Perich
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Manicavasagar
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hadzi-Pavlovic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation / Q000379:methods*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D055502:Secondary Prevention