Toward exercise as medicine for adolescents with bipolar disorder (TEAM-BD): A feasibility study

Bipolar disorder (BD) is associated with decreased cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and exercise. Despite the potential benefits for physical and mental health, there is a gap in knowledge regarding treatments targeting improved CRF for BD. This treatment development and feasibility study sought to bridge the knowledge-to-action gap in this area. Twenty youth with BD, 18.0 ± 2.3 years old, enrolled in an exercise behavior change counselling (BCC) intervention targeting improved CRF. The 12-week active intervention included four in-person sessions, augmented by phone/texting sessions on intervening weeks. Optional modules included exercise coaching, family involvement, and peer support. Booster phone/texting sessions occurred at weeks 16 and 20. Participants completed CRF testing at weeks 0, 2, 8, 12, and 24. Seventy percent of participants (14/20) completed all study visits and measures. In the overall enrolled sample, 82% of CRF tests were completed (range 0–5 of 5). There were no significant changes in subjective (via self-report) and objective (via Fitbit) measures of physical activity or in CRF, though CRF testing was consistently associated with acute post-exercise improvement in mood. Most participants reported being very satisfied with the intervention following the 12-week active intervention (13/14) and at week 24 (12/14). Therapist fidelity to the BCC manual was high. Good attendance and study adherence provides preliminary evidence of the feasibility and acceptability of a behavioral intervention targeting CRF in youth with BD. Future studies refining the current intervention are warranted toward a goal of demonstrating improved CRF in a randomized controlled trial. •A multidisciplinary team developed a behavior change intervention for increasing cardiorespiratory fitness in youth with BD.•Twenty youth with BD were recruited and 14 completed the full 24-week intervention.•Among participants retained to week 24, study measure completion rate and overall satisfaction were high.•There were no significant changes in cardiorespiratory fitness after the active 12-week intervention and week 24 follow-up.•Cardiorespiratory fitness testing was consistently associated with acute post-exercise improvement in mood.