Psychological therapy for mood instability within bipolar spectrum disorder: A single-arm feasibility study of a dialectical behaviour therapy-informed approach
Psychological therapy for mood instability within bipolar spectrum disorder: A single-arm feasibility study of a dialectical behaviour therapy-informed approach
Background: We sought to evaluate the acceptability of a psychological therapy programme (Therapy for Inter-episode Mood Variability in Bipolar Disorder (ThrIVe-B)) for individuals with ongoing bipolar mood instability and the feasibility and acceptability of potential trial procedures. We also evaluated the performance of clinical and process outcome measures and the extent to which the programme potentially represents a safe and effective intervention. Method: We conducted an open (uncontrolled) trial in which 12 individuals with a bipolar spectrum diagnosis commenced the ThrIVe-B programme after completing baseline assessments. The programme comprised 16 group skills training sessions plus individual sessions and a supporting smartphone application. Follow-up assessments were at therapy end-point and 6 months post-treatment. Results: Nine participants completed treatment. Ten provided end-of-treatment data; of these, nine were satisfied with treatment. Interviews with participants and clinicians indicated that the treatment was broadly feasible and acceptable, with suggestions for improvements to content, delivery and study procedures. Exploration of change in symptoms was consistent with the potential for the intervention to represent a safe and effective intervention. Conclusions: Conducting further evaluation of this approach in similar settings is likely to be feasible, whilst patient reports and the pattern of clinical change observed suggest this approach holds promise for this patient group. Future research should include more than one study site and a comparison arm to address additional uncertainties prior to a definitive trial. Trial registration: Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02637401; registered 22.12.15 (retrospectively registered).
Bipolar disorder, Cyclothymic disorder, Dialectical behaviour therapy
Wright, Kim
d94dfa78-5c60-47e9-8b45-88afc44e1ddf
Palmer, Gemma
39e79085-3e76-4c52-a07e-96ce29631245
Javaid, Mahmood
02186adc-3dbd-4c02-b0fb-c4c469807831
Mostazir, Mohammod
525923e7-0ac4-49bd-b864-4650b31c8740
Lynch, Tom
29e90123-0aef-46c8-b320-1617fb48bb20
15 April 2020
Wright, Kim
d94dfa78-5c60-47e9-8b45-88afc44e1ddf
Palmer, Gemma
39e79085-3e76-4c52-a07e-96ce29631245
Javaid, Mahmood
02186adc-3dbd-4c02-b0fb-c4c469807831
Mostazir, Mohammod
525923e7-0ac4-49bd-b864-4650b31c8740
Lynch, Tom
29e90123-0aef-46c8-b320-1617fb48bb20
Wright, Kim, Palmer, Gemma, Javaid, Mahmood, Mostazir, Mohammod and Lynch, Tom
(2020)
Psychological therapy for mood instability within bipolar spectrum disorder: A single-arm feasibility study of a dialectical behaviour therapy-informed approach.
Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 6 (1), [46].
(doi:10.1186/s40814-020-00586-1).
Abstract
Background: We sought to evaluate the acceptability of a psychological therapy programme (Therapy for Inter-episode Mood Variability in Bipolar Disorder (ThrIVe-B)) for individuals with ongoing bipolar mood instability and the feasibility and acceptability of potential trial procedures. We also evaluated the performance of clinical and process outcome measures and the extent to which the programme potentially represents a safe and effective intervention. Method: We conducted an open (uncontrolled) trial in which 12 individuals with a bipolar spectrum diagnosis commenced the ThrIVe-B programme after completing baseline assessments. The programme comprised 16 group skills training sessions plus individual sessions and a supporting smartphone application. Follow-up assessments were at therapy end-point and 6 months post-treatment. Results: Nine participants completed treatment. Ten provided end-of-treatment data; of these, nine were satisfied with treatment. Interviews with participants and clinicians indicated that the treatment was broadly feasible and acceptable, with suggestions for improvements to content, delivery and study procedures. Exploration of change in symptoms was consistent with the potential for the intervention to represent a safe and effective intervention. Conclusions: Conducting further evaluation of this approach in similar settings is likely to be feasible, whilst patient reports and the pattern of clinical change observed suggest this approach holds promise for this patient group. Future research should include more than one study site and a comparison arm to address additional uncertainties prior to a definitive trial. Trial registration: Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02637401; registered 22.12.15 (retrospectively registered).
Text
s40814-020-00586-1
- Version of Record
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 17 March 2020
Published date: 15 April 2020
Additional Information:
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Author(s).
Keywords:
Bipolar disorder, Cyclothymic disorder, Dialectical behaviour therapy
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 505385
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/505385
ISSN: 2055-5784
PURE UUID: ee3fbe5a-2fcf-4bb6-b87d-c566aeb40047
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 07 Oct 2025 16:54
Last modified: 08 Oct 2025 01:43
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Kim Wright
Author:
Gemma Palmer
Author:
Mahmood Javaid
Author:
Mohammod Mostazir
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics
