MONDAY, Feb. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) may improve mood, emotional regulation, well-being, and functioning in individuals with bipolar disorder, according to a study published in the February issue of CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics.
Thilo Deckersbach, Ph.D., of the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and associates explored the role of MBCT in 12 patients with bipolar disorder. Participants underwent a baseline clinical assessment, and were then treated with 12 group MBCT sessions. Participants were assessed after treatment and at a three month follow-up.
The researchers found that participants demonstrated improved mindfulness; fewer residual depressive mood symptoms; less difficulty paying attention; and increased emotion-regulation abilities, psychological well-being, positive affect, and psychosocial functioning at the end of the therapy sessions and at the three month follow-up.
"Results of this clinical trial suggest that it may be worthwhile to further investigate whether this version of MBCT for bipolar disorder may become a treatment option for patients with residual mood symptoms in the menu of already empirically supported approaches (e.g., family therapy, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy), especially for patients with a more chronic course of the illness," the authors write.
