ObjectiveThis article describes the development and psychometric evaluation of the Manic Thought Inventory (MTI), a patient-driven self-report inventory to assess the presence of typical (hypo... Show moreObjectiveThis article describes the development and psychometric evaluation of the Manic Thought Inventory (MTI), a patient-driven self-report inventory to assess the presence of typical (hypo)manic cognitions. MethodsThe initial item pool was generated by patients with bipolar disorder (BD) type I and assessed for suitability by five psychiatrists specialized in treating BD. Study 1 describes the item analysis and exploratory factor structure of the MTI in a sample of 251 patients with BD type I. In study 2, the factor structure was validated with confirmatory factor analysis, and convergent and divergent validity were assessed in an independent sample of 201 patients with BD type I. ResultsStudy 1 resulted in a 50-item version of the MTI measuring one underlying factor. Study 2 confirmed the essentially unidimensional underlying construct in a 47-item version of the MTI. Internal consistency of the 47-item version of the MTI was excellent (alpha = 0.97). The MTI showed moderate to large positive correlations with other measures related to mania. It was not correlated with measures of depression. ConclusionThe MTI showed good psychometric properties and can be useful in research and clinical practice. Patients could use the MTI to select items that they recognize as being characteristic of their (hypo)manic episodes. By monitoring and challenging these items, the MTI could augment current psychological interventions for BD. Show less
Hanssen, I.; Huijbers, M.; Regeer, E.; Bennekom, M.L. van; Stevens, A.; Dijk, P. van; ... ; Speckens, A.E. 2023
BackgroundMindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) seems a promising intervention for bipolar disorder (BD), but there is a lack of randomised controlled trials (RCT) investigating this. The... Show moreBackgroundMindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) seems a promising intervention for bipolar disorder (BD), but there is a lack of randomised controlled trials (RCT) investigating this. The purpose of this multicentre, evaluator blinded RCT was to investigate the added value of MBCT to treatment as usual (TAU) in BD up to 15 months follow-up (NCT03507647). MethodsA total of 144 participants with BD type I and II were randomised to MBCT + TAU (n = 72) and TAU (n = 72). Primary outcome was current depressive symptoms. Secondary outcomes were current (hypo)manic and anxiety symptoms, recurrence rates, rumination, dampening of positive affect, functional impairment, mindfulness skills, self-compassion, and positive mental health. Potential moderators of treatment outcome were examined. ResultsMBCT + TAU was not more efficacious than TAU in reducing current depressive symptoms at post-treatment (95% CI [-7.0 to 1.8], p = 0.303, d = 0.24) or follow-up (95% CI [-2.2 to 6.3], p = 0.037, d = 0.13). At post-treatment, MBCT + TAU was more effective than TAU in improving mindfulness skills. At follow-up, TAU was more effective than MBCT + TAU in reducing trait anxiety and improving mindfulness skills and positive mental health. Exploratory analysis revealed that participants with higher depressive symptoms and functional impairment at baseline benefitted more from MBCT + TAU than TAU. ConclusionsIn these participants with highly recurrent BD, MBCT may be a treatment option in addition to TAU for those who suffer from moderate to severe levels of depression and functional impairment. Show less
Amerongen, B. van; Booij, A.; Hanssen, I.; Liefaard, T.; Mesman, J. 2021