96 Participants Needed

Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy for Bipolar Disorder

LH
AA
Overseen ByAbigail Amartey, MPH MSW
Age: < 65
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Academic
Sponsor: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Approved in 1 JurisdictionThis treatment is already approved in other countries

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems likely that you can continue your usual treatment, as the study compares the new therapy to treatment as usual.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy for Bipolar Disorder?

Research suggests that cognitive-behavioral therapy, which shares elements with Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy, can improve mood symptoms and increase self-control in people with bipolar disorder. Additionally, schema therapy, another similar approach, may help reduce emotional reactivity and improve quality of life for those with bipolar disorder.12345

How is the treatment Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT) different from other treatments for bipolar disorder?

Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT) is unique because it focuses on improving personal narratives and cognitive processes, which can help patients with bipolar disorder better understand and manage their condition. Unlike standard cognitive therapies, NECT emphasizes enhancing personal stories and self-perception, which may be particularly beneficial for those who struggle with self-identity and emotional regulation.46789

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this pilot clinical trial is to assess the feasibility of conducting a full-scale study to learn if a new youth-adapted Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT-Y) reduces self-stigma in youth living with bipolar disorder or multiple mental health conditions. The main questions it aims to answer are:* What is the feasibility of conducting a definitive clinical trial in terms of recruitment success, study retention/compliance, treatment retention/compliance, and absence of serious adverse events?* Can facilitators deliver the adapted NECT-Y intervention with fidelity?* What is the acceptability of the newly adapted NECT-Y intervention among youth participants and facilitators?Researchers will compare NECT-Y to treatment as usual (TAU).Participants will take part in a virtual 14-week NECT-Y group intervention or receive TAU. They will also complete questionnaires at three time points (baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up).

Research Team

LH

Lisa Hawke, PhD

Principal Investigator

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young people with bipolar disorder or multiple mental health conditions who experience self-stigma. They must understand and agree to the study's procedures, have not started new psychotherapy in the last month, and haven't had a recent hospital visit for mental health.

Inclusion Criteria

'Mild' to 'severe' internalized stigma (mean score > 2.0 on the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Inventory)
Must sign and date the informed consent form
Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures
See 1 more

Exclusion Criteria

I started a new psychotherapy within the last month.
I have not been hospitalized or visited the emergency department for mental health issues in the last 30 days.
I am able to give consent and communicate in English.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2 months

Treatment

Participants receive the NECT-Y intervention or Treatment as Usual (TAU) for 14 weeks

14 weeks
Virtual sessions for NECT-Y participants

Post-treatment Assessment

Participants complete post-treatment assessments and questionnaires

1 week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including a 3-month follow-up assessment

3 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy
Trial Overview The trial tests if Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT-Y) can reduce self-stigma better than usual care. Participants will join a virtual 14-week NECT-Y group or receive their regular treatment while completing questionnaires at different stages.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: NECT-YExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Virtual 14-week Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy group intervention that will be co-facilitated by a clinician and peer support worker.
Group II: Treatment as usualPlacebo Group1 Intervention
No study-specific care will be provided to these participants.

Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy is already approved in United States for the following indications:

🇺🇸
Approved in United States as NECT for:
  • Reducing self-stigma in adults with mental health challenges
🇺🇸
Approved in United States as NECT-Y for:
  • Reducing self-stigma in youth living with bipolar disorder or multiple mental health conditions

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials
388
Recruited
84,200+

University of Toronto

Collaborator

Trials
739
Recruited
1,125,000+

Lawson Health Research Institute

Collaborator

Trials
684
Recruited
432,000+

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Collaborator

Trials
1,417
Recruited
26,550,000+

London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Collaborator

Trials
678
Recruited
421,000+

London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute and Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Collaborator

Trials
686
Recruited
427,000+

London Health Sciences Centre OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Collaborator

Trials
668
Recruited
424,000+

Findings from Research

Women with remitted bipolar disorder (BD) reported their past life stories with less sense of agency and communion, and more negative experiences (contamination) compared to non-clinical controls, indicating a different narrative identity.
Interestingly, the future life stories of BD patients did not show significant differences from those of the control group, suggesting that while their past experiences are affected, their hopes or plans for the future may remain similar.
"My life disappeared in illness": bipolar disorder and themes in narrative identity.Pedersen, AM., Straarup, KN., Thomsen, DK.[2022]
A modified cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) approach applied to seven individuals after their first diagnosis of bipolar disorder showed significant improvements in mood symptoms and feelings of hopelessness.
Participants also demonstrated better self-control, more stable daily activities, and improved skills in recognizing and coping with early warning signs of mood episodes, suggesting that early intervention with CBT may enhance long-term outcomes in bipolar disorder.
Cognitive-behavioural treatment of first diagnosis bipolar disorder.Jones, SH., Burrell-Hodgson, G.[2018]
Psychosocial treatments for bipolar disorder, such as family-focused psychoeducation and individual psychotherapy, can enhance the effectiveness of outpatient pharmacotherapy by improving patient adherence and support from their social environment.
Early results from ongoing clinical trials indicate high retention rates for patients undergoing these therapies, suggesting they are well-received and may be beneficial when combined with standard medication.
New psychosocial treatments for the outpatient management of bipolar disorder.Miklowitz, DJ., Frank, E., George, EL.[2009]

References

"My life disappeared in illness": bipolar disorder and themes in narrative identity. [2022]
Cognitive-behavioural treatment of first diagnosis bipolar disorder. [2018]
New psychosocial treatments for the outpatient management of bipolar disorder. [2009]
Schema therapy for bipolar disorder: a conceptual model and future directions. [2018]
Schema Therapy for Patients with Bipolar Disorder: Theoretical Framework and Application. [2022]
Cognitive therapy as an adjunct to medication in bipolar disorder. [2019]
Bipolar disorder: what can psychotherapists learn from the cognitive research? [2018]
Sense of hyper-positive self, goal-attainment beliefs and coping strategies in bipolar I disorder. [2018]
Exploring aspects of self-reported emotional mental imagery in patients with bipolar disorder. [2023]
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