Social rhythm therapy (SRT), which uses behavioral strategies to support healthy sleep and other routines, is linked to improved mood and reduced suicide risk in young people with bipolar disorder (BD), early research suggests.
The small study also showed SRT is both feasible and acceptable in this patient population.
Results showed SRT, which was primarily delivered via telehealth sessions, began to show efficacy approximately 6 weeks into the 12-week therapeutic program, the researchers note.
Dr Hilary Blumberg
"Improving the regularity of daily rhythms like sleep, physical activity, and social activities can be really robust in improving mental health and even reducing suicide risk," study investigator Hilary P. Blumberg, MD, the John and Hope Furth Professor of Psychiatric Neuroscience, and director, Mood Disorders Research Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, told Medscape Medical News.
The findings are published in the December issue of The American Journal of Psychotherapy.
Trigger for Depression, Mania
Previous research shows unstable circadian rhythms may trigger depressive and manic symptoms ― and are risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Although interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) has shown promise in patients with mood disorders, there is little research focusing only on the social rhythm aspect of the therapy.
The researchers only examined SRT, modified to create a therapeutic program aimed at adolescents and young adults.
