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. 2024 Mar 15;77(1):1-6.
doi: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.20220067. Epub 2023 Nov 28.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Group Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy for Recurrent Mood Disorders: A Pilot Study

Melis Orhan  1 , Nicole Korten  1 , Nina Mans  1 , Digna van Schaik  1 , Ralph Kupka  1 , Max Stek  1 , Deborah Steenhuis  1 , Moniek van Dijk  1 , Holly A Swartz  1 , Patricia van Oppen  1 , Annemieke Dols  1
Affiliations

Feasibility and Acceptability of Group Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy for Recurrent Mood Disorders: A Pilot Study

Melis Orhan et al. Am J Psychother. .

Abstract

Objective: Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) was developed to empower patients with mood disorders by stabilizing underlying disturbances in circadian rhythms and by using strategies from interpersonal psychotherapy. Group IPSRT has not been studied with a transdiagnostic sample of patients across the life span with either major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder.

Methods: Thirty-eight outpatients, ages 26-80, with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder in any mood state were recruited from clinics in the Netherlands and were treated with 20 sessions (two per week) of group IPSRT. Recruitment results, dropout rates, and session adherence were used to assess feasibility. The modified Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ) and a feedback session were used to measure treatment acceptability. Changes in mood symptoms, quality of life, and mastery were also measured.

Results: Participants' mean±SD age was 65.4±10.0 years. Participants were diagnosed as having major depressive disorder (N=14, 37%) or bipolar disorder (N=24, 63%). The dropout rate was relatively low (N=9, 24%). High CSQ scores (32.3±5.2 of 44.0 points) and low dropout rates indicated the acceptability and feasibility of group IPSRT for major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Quality of life 3 months after completion of treatment was significantly higher than at baseline (p<0.01, Cohen's d=-0.69). No significant differences were found between pre- and postintervention depressive symptom scores.

Conclusions: Twice-weekly group IPSRT for older outpatients with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder was feasible and acceptable. Future research should evaluate the short- and long-term efficacy of group IPSRT for major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder among patients of all ages.

Keywords: Bipolar and related disorders; IPSRT; Major depressive disorder; Pilot study; Psychotherapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Swartz is Editor of the American Journal of Psychotherapy. Lisa A. O’Donnell, Ph.D., served as decision editor on the manuscript.Dr. Swartz reports receiving royalties from UpToDate (Wolters Kluwer) and the American Psychiatric Association and has served as a consultant to the Clinical Education Alliance, Intra-Cellular Therapies, Mediflix, Medscape (Internet Brands/WebMD), and Physicians Postgraduate Press. The other authors report no financial relationships with commercial interests.

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