Social rhythm therapy (SRT), an intervention that uses behavioral approaches to support healthy sleep and other routines, has been reported to be associated with improved mood and reduced suicide risk in young people with bipolar disorder (BD) in new research. The study also noted that SRT is both feasible and acceptable in this population group.

The study enrolled 13 participants (mean age 20.5 years) with BD, having a score of 15 or more on the 29-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-29) and/or a score of 12 or more on the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). The therapy was given in 12 weekly sessions, primarily through video telehealth sessions. Three sessions were conducted in-person. SRT was found to show efficacy as early as about 6 weeks into the 12-week program, reported researchers.

The study participants were found to have significant improvement in social rhythm regularity and a decrease in depression and manic symptoms, besides suicide propensity. The findings are published in the American Journal of Psychotherapy… (Medscape)