Original Research J Clin Psychiatry October 2009

The Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Bipolar Disorder: A Quantitative Meta-Analysis

JCP 2009;70(1):10.4088/JCP.08r04559yel

Full Article Read the complete peer-reviewed article in J Clin Psychiatry. JCP 2009;70(1):10.4088/JCP.08r04559yel Clinical Summary Patients with bipolar disorder often continue to have residual symptoms, poor treatment adherence, and repeated relapses despite pharmacotherapy, with only 30% returning to their previous level of social and professional functioning 1 year after an episode. This meta-analysis asks the practical question clinicians face every day: what added value does cognitive-behavioral therapy provide when it is used alongside medication? FAQ Does cognitive-behavioral therapy help people with bipolar disorder when added to medication? 10 questions
Key Takeaways The pooled posttreatment benefit of adjunctive cognitive-behavioral therapy in bipolar disorder was modest but statistically significant at d = -0.42 (95% CI, -0.51 to -0.34; P < .05), and remained significant after sample-size correction at D = -0.20 (95% CI, -0.29 to −0.11; P < .05). 6 takeaways Clinical Guide How should clinicians use cognitive-behavioral therapy alongside medication for patients with bipolar disorder? 7 steps
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