The Life Goals Self-Management Mobile App for Bipolar Disorder: Consumer Feasibility, Usability, and Acceptability...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Technology
• Digital Therapeutics
• Bipolar Disorder Management

Background:

• Life Goals is an evidence-based intervention for bipolar disorder (BD), aiding symptom management through personal goal alignment.
• The intervention is now available as a customizable mobile application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of the Life Goals self-management app.
• To evaluate app usage patterns and user satisfaction among individuals with BD over six months.

Main Methods:

• 28 individuals with BD used the Life Goals app for six months on their smartphones.
• Clinical outcomes (functioning, disability, symptoms) and a post-study usability survey were collected at baseline, 3, and 6 months.

Main Results:

• Participants used the app a median of 25 times, with higher engagement in the first three months.
• The depression and anxiety modules were most used (35% and 22%). Users found the app useful (60%) and easy to use (72%).
• Less than half found the app helpful for health management (40%) or goal progress (36%). A trend for improved mental and physical health was observed.

Conclusions:

• The Life Goals app is feasible for individuals with BD, with good initial engagement and user interface satisfaction.
• Higher engagement occurred in the first three months, focusing on mood modules.
• The app demonstrated low success in promoting self-management in this small sample, indicating a need for further refinement.