Actively Recruiting
Behavioural Activation for Bipolar Depression
Led by Reykjavik University · Updated on 2025-04-16
10
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
110 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
R
Reykjavik University
Lead Sponsor
L
Landspitali University Hospital
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Bipolar disorder (BD) affects between 1-3% of the world's population. People with BD experience episodes of mania or hypomania and in most cases, they experience periods of depression which can cause difficulties in daily life. Psychological therapies for people experiencing depression without mania or hypomania are widely available, but there is little research into how effective these therapies are for people with BD. Behavioral activation therapy (BA) is based on behavioral theory and has been proven to be an effective treatment for unipolar depression. It helps people re-establish healthier activity patterns and sleep regulation, especially in BD for mood stabilization. BA is theoretically and clinically well matched to the treatment of bipolar depression, but there is still very little research into offering BA to people with BD. The first aim of the current research is to implement BA for people with depression in Bipolar Disorder and study if it is feasible for this patient group. The second aim is to do a pilot study on the effectiveness of the treatment for this patient group. The research will be implemented with people seeking treatment at the specialized service for bipolar disorder at Landspítali University Hospital in Iceland. The participants will receive treatment as usual and the BA will be adjunctive. At least ten people, that are currently experiencing Bipolar Depression and are willing to take part, will receive up to 20 individual therapy sessions of BA that have been adapted for Bipolar Depression (BA-BD), and will complete regular questionnaires and interviews. The study will be a replication study to validate the previous study's findings by Kim, W. et al., 2022 in another setting.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Behavioural Activation for Bipolar Depression
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Scoring in the clinical range on a depression severity self-report (PHQ-9) and meeting diagnostic criteria for depression using DIAMOND
- Diagnosed with Bipolar I or II Disorder according to DIAMOND
- Working knowledge of written and spoken Icelandic sufficient to use therapy and complete assessments without a translator
You will not qualify if you...
- Current or past learning disability, organic brain change, or substance dependence (drugs or alcohol) that impairs therapy use
- Current marked risk to self (self-harm or suicide) that cannot be managed in the Bipolar outpatient clinic
- Lacking capacity to give informed consent
- Currently receiving other psychosocial therapy for depression or bipolar disorder
- Presence of another primary area of difficulty requiring intervention focus, such as PTSD or psychosis
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Landspitali university hospital
Reykjavik, Iceland, 101
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
H
Halla Ó Ólafsdóttir, Cand. psych
CONTACT
B
Brynja Bj Magnúsdóttir, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
4
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