The association between meditation practice and treatment outcome in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for bipolar disorder.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to examine the impact of the quantity of mindfulness meditation practice on psychiatric symptom outcomes following Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Results Summary
Greater meditation practice during the 8-week MBCT program correlated with lower clinician-rated depression scores at 12-month follow-up. Practicing mindfulness meditation at least 3 times a week was associated with improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms.
Population
Individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Effective Dosage
3 days a week or more of mindfulness meditation.
Duration
8-week MBCT program with follow-up at 12 months.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
mindfulness meditation practice | decrease | clinician-rated depression scores on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale | those diagnosed with bipolar disorder | - | A significant correlation was found between a greater number of days meditated | #1 |
mindfulness meditation practice | decrease | trait anxiety | those diagnosed with bipolar disorder | 3 days a week or more | significant differences found between those who meditated for 3 days a week or more and those who meditated less often | #2 |
mindfulness meditation practice | decrease | clinician-rated depression | those diagnosed with bipolar disorder | 3 days a week or more | significant differences found between those who meditated for 3 days a week or more and those who meditated less often | #3 |
mindfulness meditation practice | decrease | self-reported depression | those diagnosed with bipolar disorder | - | trends were noted | #4 |
mindfulness meditation practice | decrease | depression scores | those diagnosed with bipolar disorder | - | A greater number of days meditated during the 8-week MBCT program was related to lower depression scores | #5 |
mindfulness meditation practice | decrease | depression and anxiety symptoms | those diagnosed with bipolar disorder | 3 times a week or more | mindfulness meditation practice was associated with improvements | #6 |
This study aimed to examine the impact of quantity of mindfulness meditation practice on the outcome of psychiatric symptoms following Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for those diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Meditation homework was collected at the beginning of each session for the MBCT program to assess quantity of meditation practice. Clinician-administered measures of hypo/mania and depression along with self-report anxiety, depression and stress symptom questionnaires were administered pre-, post-treatment and at 12-month follow-up. A significant correlation was found between a greater number of days meditated throughout the 8-week trial and clinician-rated depression scores on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale at 12-month follow-up. There were significant differences found between those who meditated for 3 days a week or more and those who meditated less often on trait anxiety post-treatment and clinician-rated depression at 12-month follow-up whilst trends were noted for self-reported depression. A greater number of days meditated during the 8-week MBCT program was related to lower depression scores at 12-month follow-up, and there was evidence to suggest that mindfulness meditation practice was associated with improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms if a certain minimum amount (3 times a week or more) was practiced weekly throughout the 8-week MBCT program.