Psychotherapy for Bipolar Illness Has Benefits, But They Are Limited

Interest is increasing in the addition of psychotherapy to medication treatment for bipolar illness. This network meta-analysis of 41 trials in 3110 bipolar adult patients examined multiple outcomes with interventions focused on caregivers, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family, and psychoeducation. Network meta-analysis enables indirect comparisons among interventions that have not been compared directly with each other.

All patients were on mood-stabilizing medications; about half of the studies required patients to be euthymic at enrollment. Researchers examined study quality and analyzed validated measures of outcomes. Compared with treatment as usual, only caregiver-focused therapies reduced relapse risk for depression and mania. P…