A web-based preventive intervention program for bipolar disorder: outcome of a 12-months randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Digital Health
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• The internet is a common source of information for psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder.
• A 12-month randomized controlled trial investigated an internet-based preventive program for bipolar disorder.
• The program was an add-on to standard pharmacological treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the efficacy of an internet-based preventive program for bipolar disorder.
• To assess if the program reduces recurrence of depressive/hypomanic symptoms and hospitalizations.

Main Methods:

• 233 participants were recruited online for a randomized controlled trial.
• The intervention group received psycho-education with optional cognitive behavioral therapy elements.
• The control group was directed to 'healthy living' websites; recurrence was tracked via symptomology and hospitalization.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found between the active and control groups in recurrence rates.
• This applied to all definitions of recurrence, including symptomology and hospitalization.

Conclusions:

• The study is the first to report on a randomized web-based psychological intervention for bipolar disorder in a large sample.
• Limitations include reliance on online self-report for diagnosis and potential contamination of the 'attention control' group.
• Reasons for the lack of significant difference are discussed.