The Cognitive Remediation in Bipolar (CRiB) pilot study: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background: People with bipolar disorder often show difficulties with cognitive functioning, and though these difficulties are identified as important targets for intervention, few treatment options are available. Preliminary evidence suggests that cognitive remediation therapy (a psychological treatment proven beneficial for people diagnosed as having schizophrenia) is helpful for people with bipolar disorders. We are conducting a pilot trial to determine whether individual, computerised, cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) for people with bipolar disorder 1) increases cognitive function; 2) improves global functioning, goal attainment and mood symptoms; 3) is acceptable and feasible for participants; and 4) can be addressed in a comprehensive, larger, randomised, controlled trial. Methods/design: The study is designed as a two-arm, randomised, controlled trial comparing cognitive remediation therapy with treatment-as-usual (TAU) for euthymic bipolar patients. Participants are eligible to take part if aged between 18 and 65 with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder (type I) and currently in euthymic state, and no neurological, substance or personality disorder diagnoses. Sixty participants will be recruited (mainly through secondary and tertiary care) and will be block-randomised to receive either treatment-as-usual alone or in addition to a 12-week course of cognitive remediation therapy totalling 20–40 therapy hours. The intervention will comprise regular sessions with a therapist and computer-based training. Research assessments will take place before and after the intervention period and at a 12-week follow-up, and will include evaluation of neuropsychological, symptom-related, demographic and social factors, as well as collecting qualitative data regarding CRT expectations and satisfaction. Intention-to-treat analyses will examine the efficacy of cognitive remediation therapy primarily on cognition and additionally on functioning, quality of life and mood symptoms. Furthermore, we will examine the acceptability of CRT and undertake a preliminary health economics analysis to ascertain the cost of delivering the intervention. Discussion: The results of this trial will provide valuable information about whether cognitive remediation therapy may be beneficial for people diagnosed with bipolar disorder in a euthymic state. Trial Registration: ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN32290525. Registered on 2 March 2016

Cognitive remediation therapy for patients with bipolar disorder: a randomised proof-of-concept trial

Objectives: Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) may benefit people with bipolar disorder type I and II for whom cognitive impairment is a major contributor to disability. Extensive research has demonstrated CRT to improve cognition and psychosocial functioning in people with different diagnoses, but randomised trials of evidenced therapy programmes are lacking for bipolar disorders. The Cognitive Remediation in Bipolar (CRiB) study aimed to determine whether an established CRT programme is feasible and acceptable for people with bipolar disorders. Methods: This proof‐of‐concept, single‐blind randomised trial recruited participants aged 18‐65 with bipolar disorder, not currently experiencing an episode. They were 1:1 block randomised to treatment‐as‐usual (TAU) with or without individual CRT for 12 weeks. The partly computerised CRT programme (“CIRCuiTS”) was therapist‐led and is evidence‐based from trials in those with psychotic illnesses. Data were collected and analysed by investigators blinded to group allocation. The main outcomes (week 13 and 25) examined participant retention, intervention feasibility and putative effects of CRT on cognitive and psychosocial functioning via intention‐to‐treat analyses. Trial registration: ISRCTN ID32290525. Results: Sixty participants were recruited (02/2016‐06/2018) and randomised to CRT (n = 29) or TAU (n = 31). Trial withdrawals were equivalent (CRT n = 2/29; TAU n = 5/31). CRT satisfaction indicated high acceptability. Intention‐to‐treat analyses (N = 60) demonstrated greater improvements for CRT‐ than TAU‐randomised participants: at both week 13 and 25, CIRCuiTS participants showed larger improvements in the following domains (week 25 effect sizes reported here): IQ (SES = 0.71, 95% CI [0.29,1.13]), working memory (SES = 0.70, 95% CI [0.31,1.10]), executive function (SES = 0.93, 95% CI [0.33,1.54]), psychosocial functioning (SES = 0.49, 95% CI [0.18,0.80]) and goal attainment (SES = 2.02, 95% CI [0.89,3.14]). No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: CRT is feasible for individuals with bipolar disorders and may enhance cognition and functioning. The reported effect sizes from this proof‐of‐concept trial encourage further investigation in a definitive trial

A diffusion tensor imaging study of neuropsychologically assessed euthymic patients with bipolar disorder

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Valproate in acute mania: is our practice evidence based?

Purpose – This audit was conducted on acute psychiatric in-patient wards with the aim of establishing if valproate prescribing in acute mania followed evidence-based guidelines with particular emphasis on formulations used and whether accelerated valproate dosing was employed.Design/methodology/approach – Case notes from 43 (42 percent male) patients admitted with mania and subsequently discharged on valproate were reviewed. Valproate formulation, weight measurement (necessary for dose-calculation in accelerated dosing), initial valproate dose and increments, serum valproate monitoring and other prescribed psychotropic agents were noted.Findings – Most (95 percent) patients received sodium valproate (epilim chrono/generic), the remaining received valproate semi-sodium (depakote). All but one patient received antipsychotic medication in combination. Weight was recorded in only four (9 percent) patients. The mean valproate daily dose after the first week was 1,027 mg (sd=408). It took 29 (sd=42) days to reach the maximum daily dose (1,426 mg sd=467) from valproate initiation. Serum levels were monitored in 34 (79 percent) cases, but the mean period between valproate initiation to the first serum level test was 38 (sd=47) days. A significant positive correlation was found between days taken to reach maximum dose and hospital stay (Spearman's rho=0.41, n=43, p=0.006, two-tailed).Practical implications – Accelerated valproate dosing was not common practice, which may have resulted in suboptimal efficacy, probably leading to combination treatment.Originality/value – This study highlights the need for adequate initial dosing and dose increments when treating manic patients and suggests current practice is not evidence-based. Local prescribing policy and national guidelines' influence on practice are discussed

Oxcarbazepina para los episodios afectivos agudos en el trastorno bipolar

La oxcarbazepina, un cetoderivado del “estabilizador del estado de ánimo” carbamazepina, puede ser efectiva en el tratamiento de los episodios agudos del trastorno bipolar. Potencialmente, puede ofrecer ventajas farmacocinéticas sobre la carbamazepina. Objetivos: Revisar la eficacia y la aceptabilidad de la oxcarbazepina en comparación con el placebo y otros agentes en el tratamiento de los episodios agudos del trastorno bipolar, como manía, episodios mixtos y depresión. Métodos de búsqueda: Se realizaron búsquedas en las bases de datos electrónicas hasta el 2 de sepiembre 2011. Se realizaron búsquedas manuales en revistas especializadas y resúmenes de congresos. Se estableció contacto con autores, expertos en el tema y compañías farmacéuticas para solicitar información sobre ensayos publicados o no publicados. Criterios de selección: Ensayos controlados con asignación aleatoria (ECAs) que compararon la oxcarbazepina con el placebo o agentes alternativos, donde la intención declarada de la intervención fue buscar el tratamiento agudo para el trastorno afectivo bipolar. Se incluyeron participantes con trastorno bipolar, hombres y mujeres, de todas las edades. Obtención y análisis de los datos: Dos revisores extrajeron los datos de los informes originales individualmente. Para los datos dicotómicos, se calcularon los odds ratios (OR) con intervalos de confianza (IC) del 95%. Los datos continuos se analizaron mediante las diferencias de medias estandarizadas (con IC del 95%). Resultados principales: Siete estudios se incluyeron en el análisis (368 participantes en total). Todos los pacientes presentaban manía, hipomanía, episodios mixtos o trastorno de ciclo rápido. En general, su calidad metodológica era relativamente baja. No hubo diferencias en el análisis de la medida de resultado primaria (una caída del 50% o más en la Young Mania Rating Scale [YMRS]) entre la oxcarbazepina y el placebo (N=1, n=110; OR 2,10, IC del 95%: 0,94 a 4,73) en un estudio que se realizó en niños; no había estudios disponibles en participantes adultos. En comparación con otros estabilizadores del estado de ánimo, no hubo diferencias entre la oxcarbazepina y el valproato como agente antimaníaco según la medida de resultado primaria (caída del 50% o más en la YMRS; OR 0,44, IC del 95%: 0,10 a 1,97; 1 estudio, n=60; p=0,273) o la medida de resultado secundaria (diferencias en la YMRS entre los dos grupos; DME 0,18, IC del 95%: -0,24 a 0,59; 2 estudios, n=90; ρ=0,40). No se encontró ninguna medida de resultado primaria o secundaria de la eficacia que comparara la oxcarbazepina con la monoterapia con litio. Como tratamiento complementario del litio, la oxcarbazepina redujo las puntuaciones en las escalas de calificación de depresión más que la carbamazepina en un grupo de participantes maníacos en la Montgomery-Âsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) (DME - 1,12, IC del 95%: -1,71 a -0,53; 1 estudio, n=52; p=0,0002) y en la Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) (DME - 0,77, IC del 95%: -1,35 a -0,20; 1 estudio, n=52; p=0,008). Hubo una incidencia mayor de efectos adversos, particularmente neuropsiquiátricos en los participantes asignados al azar a la oxcarbazepina en comparación con los asignados al placebo (1 estudio, n=115, 17% a 39% de participantes con oxcarbazepina tuvo al menos uno de estos eventos en comparación con 7% a 10% que recibieron placebo). No hubo ninguna diferencia en las tasas de eventos adversos entre la oxcarbazepina y otros estabilizadores del estado de ánimo o el haloperidol. Conclusiones de los autores: Actualmente, hay ensayos insuficientes de calidad metodológica adecuada sobre la oxcarbazepina en el tratamiento agudo del trastorno bipolar para informar sobre su eficacia y aceptabilidad. Los estudios examinan predominantemente el tratamiento de la manía: hay datos a partir del análisis de subgrupos sobre estados de ciclos rápidos, hipomanía y episodios afectivos mixtos. De los pocos estudios incluidos en esta revisión, la oxcarbazepina no difirió en la eficacia en comparación con el placebo en niños y adolescentes. No fue diferente de otros agentes activos en adultos. Puede tener un perfil de tolerabilidad más deficiente en comparación con el placebo. No se encontraron datos sobre las medidas de resultado relevantes para los pacientes y los médicos, como la duración de la hospitalización. Se necesitan ensayos controlados con asignación aleatoria con adecuado poder estadístico y de buena calidad metodológica para informar el potencial terapéutico de la oxcarbazepina a través del espectro de episodios agudos en el trastorno bipolar