The IBER study: a feasibility randomised controlled trial of imagery based emotion regulation for the treatment of anxiety in bipolar disorder

Steel, C. et al. (2023) The IBER study: a feasibility randomised controlled trial of imagery based emotion regulation for the treatment of anxiety in bipolar disorder. International Journal of Bipolar Disorders, 11(1), 27. (doi: 10.1186/s40345-023-00305-8) (PMID:37480397) (PMCID:PMC10363092)

Abstract

Background: Intrusive mental imagery is associated with anxiety and mood instability within bipolar disorder and therefore represents a novel treatment target. Imagery Based Emotion Regulation (IBER) is a brief structured psychological intervention developed to enable people to use the skills required to regulate the emotional impact of these images. Methods: Participants aged 18 and over with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and at least a mild level of anxiety were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive IBER plus treatment as usual (IBER + TAU) or treatment as usual alone (TAU). IBER was delivered in up to 12 sessions overs 16 weeks. Clinical and health economic data were collected at baseline, end of treatment and 16-weeks follow-up. Objectives were to inform the recruitment process, timeline and sample size estimate for a definitive trial and to refine trial procedures. We also explored the impact on participant outcomes of anxiety, depression, mania, and mood stability at 16-weeks and 32-weeks follow-up. Results: Fifty-seven (28: IBER + TAU, 27: TAU) participants from two sites were randomised, with 50 being recruited within the first 12 months. Forty-seven (82%) participants provided outcome data at 16 and 32-weeks follow-up. Thirty-five participants engaged in daily mood monitoring at the 32-week follow-up stage. Retention in IBER treatment was high with 27 (96%) attending ≥ 7 sessions. No study participants experienced a serious adverse event. Discussion: The feasibility criteria of recruitment, outcome completion, and intervention retention were broadly achieved, indicating that imagery-focused interventions for bipolar disorder are worthy of further investigation.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This project is funded by the Research for Patient Benefit programme, a UK National Institute for Health Research grant (ref. number PB-PG-1216-20009).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Taylor, Professor Rod
• Authors: Steel, C., Wright, K., Goodwin, G. M., Simon, J., Morant, N., Taylor, R. S., Brown, M., Jennings, S., Hales, S. A., Regan, J., Sibsey, M., Thomas, Z., Meredith, L., and Holmes, E. A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: International Journal of Bipolar Disorders
• Publisher: SpringerOpen
• ISSN: 2194-7511
• ISSN (Online): 2194-7511
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Author(s)
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Bipolar Disorders 11(1):27
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence