Date of Award

2021

Degree Type

Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in reducing depressive and manic symptoms in people with bipolar disorder when compared to TAU.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three randomized controlled trials published in 2011, 2012, and 2014.

DATA SOURCES: Data sources for this review were articles published in peer-reviewed journals using PubMed and Cochrane Collaboration.

OUTCOME(S) MEASURED: The outcomes measured were a decrease in depressive and manic symptoms through the use of rating scales.

RESULTS: Costa et al. (2011) showed a greater decrease in depressive and manic symptoms with cognitive behavioral therapy than with treatment as usual (p<0.01). West et al. showed a reduction in depressive (p<0.007) and manic (p<0.03) symptoms with CBT compared to the control group receiving general psychotherapy as well as a NNT of 2 for mania. Finally, Costa et al. (2012) showed a greater decrease in depressive and manic symptoms with CBT than TAU (p<0.01). In total, each study showed a greater reduction in depressive than manic symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS: All studies evaluated in this EBM review showed that CBT is effective at reducing depressive and manic symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. Major limitations of the study were the sample sizes and the fact none of the participants included had severe depressive or manic symptoms. Further studies are needed to conclude that CBT is effective for bipolar disorder.

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