Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026
The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
Published on: June 12, 2020
An exploratory randomised controlled trial of a web-based integrated bipolar parenting intervention (IBPI) for
Steven Jones1, Laura D Wainwright2, Jelena Jovanoska3
1Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, LA1 4YT, Lancaster, UK. s.jones7@lancaster.ac.uk.
Insights
This study piloted an online intervention for parents with Bipolar Disorder (BD), offering support and education to improve parenting. The trial assessed the feasibility and acceptability of this digital approach for parents with BD and their children.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Online Interventions
Background:
- Bipolar Disorder (BD) significantly impacts parenting capacity, affecting communication, impulse control, and motivation.
- Children of parents with BD (CPB) face elevated risks for various mental health conditions, including ADHD, anxiety, and depression.
- CPB also exhibit a higher predisposition to developing BD themselves.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the rationale and protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT).
- To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a novel online intervention for parents with BD.
- To provide interactive psychoeducational information and parenting support.
Main Methods:
- A single-blind RCT comparing an Integrated Bipolar Parenting Intervention (IBPI) with treatment as usual (TAU) versus TAU alone.
- Recruitment of participants with BD across the UK via mental health services and self-referral.
- Primary outcomes focused on feasibility and acceptability, measured by recruitment, intervention usage, and follow-up retention.
Main Results:
- The study aimed to estimate effect sizes for child behavior, parenting skills, and parental mental health.
- Data collection points included baseline (0) and 16, 24, 36, and 48 weeks post-randomization.
- The intervention was delivered over 16 weeks for parents in the IBPI group.
Conclusions:
- This marks the first RCT of an integrated bipolar disorder parenting intervention.
- The study discusses the benefits and challenges of delivering an online intervention.
- Evaluation using online RCT methodology is also addressed.
Background:
Communication, impulse control and motivation can all be affected by Bipolar Disorder (BD) making consistent parenting more difficult than for parents without mental health problems. Children of parents with BD (CPB) are at significantly increased risk of a range of mental health issues including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, substance use, and sleep disorders. Furthermore, CPB are also at elevated risk for BD compared to the general population. This paper describes the rationale and protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) designed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a new online intervention providing interactive psychoeducational information and parenting support for parents with BD.
Methods And Design:
This article describes a single-blind randomised controlled trial comparing an Integrated Bipolar Parenting Intervention (IBPI) in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) with TAU alone. Participants will be recruited from across the UK from mental health services and through self-referral. The primary outcome of the study is the feasibility and acceptability of IBPI as indicated by recruitment to target, use of the intervention site, and retention to follow-up. Parents with BD allocated to the IBPI condition will have access to the intervention for 16 weeks. Effect size estimates will be obtained with respect to child behaviour, parenting skills and measures of parental mental health using measures taken at baseline (0), and at 16, 24, 36, and 48 weeks post randomization.
Discussion:
This is the first randomised controlled trial of an integrated bipolar disorder parenting intervention. The benefits and challenges of delivering this online intervention, and evaluation using online RCT methodology are discussed.
Trial Registration:
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN75279027 Registered 12 August 2013.
