A self-management intervention for bipolar disorder using a WeChat mini program (Mood Calm): study protocol for...

Area of Science:

• Digital health interventions
• Bipolar disorder management
• Mobile health applications

Background:

• Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic illness with frequent relapses, often persisting despite standard treatment.
• Digital self-management tools offer potential for improved healthcare delivery and patient support.
• Existing digital interventions for BD require further development and evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design, development, and preliminary evaluation of "Mood Calm," a WeChat mini-program for BD self-management.
• To assess the feasibility and usability of digital self-management modules for bipolar disorder.
• To establish a protocol for a comprehensive digital intervention for bipolar disorder.

Main Methods:

• Protocol development guided by Cognitive Behavioral Theory and expert consensus (Delphi panel).
• Agile framework used for "Mood Calm" mini-program development.
• A four-week, single-arm trial with five remitted BD patients evaluated feasibility and usability of selected modules.

Main Results:

• All five participants completed the trial, reporting high satisfaction and ease of use.
• System data revealed suboptimal medication adherence in three participants, leading to a design revision.
• The "Mood Calm" mini-program demonstrated feasibility and acceptability for BD self-management.

Conclusions:

• The "Mood Calm" mini-program is a feasible and acceptable digital adjunct for bipolar disorder self-management in China.
• The study established a protocol for a comprehensive digital intervention.
• Future research, including a randomized controlled trial (RCT), will evaluate the full intervention.