Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for children and adolescents with anxiety disorders at‐risk for bipolar disorder: A psychoeducation waitlist controlled pilot trial

Aim Previous studies suggest that Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy for Children (MBCT‐C) is feasible and may improve anxiety and emotion regulation in youth with anxiety disorders at‐risk for bipolar disorder. However, controlled studies are warranted to replicate and extend these findings. Methods In the current study, 24 youth with anxiety disorders who have at least one parent with bipolar disorder participated in a MBCT‐C treatment period (n = 24; Mage = 13.6, 75% girls, 79% White) with a subset also participating in a prior psychoeducation waitlist control period (n = 19 Mage = 13.8, 68% girls, 84% White). Participants in both the waitlist and MBCT‐C periods completed independently‐rated symptom scales at each time point. Participants in the waitlist period received educational materials 12 weeks prior to the beginning of MBCT‐C. Results There were significantly greater improvements in overall clinical severity in the MBCT‐C period compared to the waitlist period, but not in clinician‐ and child‐rated anxiety, emotion regulation or mindfulness. However, increases in mindfulness were associated with improvements in anxiety and emotion regulation in the MBCT‐C period, but not the waitlist period. Conclusions Findings suggest that MBCT‐C may be effective for improving overall clinical severity in youth with anxiety disorders who are at‐risk for bipolar disorder. However, waitlist controlled designs may inflate effect sizes so interpret with caution. Larger studies utilizing prospective randomized controlled designs are warranted.