Digital technologies for long-term management of bipolar disorder: advances and challenges

Bipolar disorder is a severe and persistent mental health disorder characterized by recurrent fluctuations in mood, energy, and behavior. The global prevalence of bipolar disorder is estimated to be between 1% and 2%, not accounting for underdiagnosis. Given the importance of this condition and its management, we aimed to review the evidence as to whether mobile apps facilitate the management of bipolar disorder. Searches in PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases identified 33 studies, including 19 longitudinal studies, 11 cross-sectional studies, and two mixed-methods studies. We conclude that acceptance of mobile apps among health care professionals seems to depend on their reliability and efficient integration into the workflow. Patients are showing increasing interest in mobile apps for managing bipolar disorder, although digital literacy, economic limitations, and privacy and accessibility concerns still limit long-term adherence. In related research, methodological challenges, such as small sample sizes and the need for more robust study designs, indicate gaps in validating their effectiveness. When developing these apps, software companies need stronger scientific grounding, which shows the importance of collaboration among researchers, health care professionals, and industry to ensure that tools meet clinical demands.