None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Aim: to determine whether the web-based Bipolar Education Program (BEP) improves understanding and control of bipolar disorder, as well as mood, functioning and psycho-social adjustment in adults with newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder, in comparison with a minimal online education control condition. Two versions of the bipolar education program will be evaluated:(a)on its own and (b)with email support from an informed supporter who will also provide structured assistance to implement a ‘stay-well’ self-management plan. Informed supporters are people with bipolar disorder who are effectively self-managing their condition and who will be trained to provide online support for the education program under supervision of our clinical team. Hypotheses: At post-intervention and follow-up (3 and 6 months post-intervention): 1. Participants who receive the Bipolar Education Program (BEP) will have greater understanding of bipolar disorder, report greater control and self-management of their condition, and experience a better illness trajectory (fewer depressive and manic/hypomanic episodes, symptoms and impairment, fewer hospitalizations) and better psycho-social functioning than the attention control group. 2. Participants who receive the full BEP package (BEP + email support from an informed supporter with assistance to develop and implement a ‘stay well’ plan) will have greater understanding of bipolar disorder, report greater control and self-management of their condition, and experience a better illness trajectory (fewer depressive and manic/hypomanic episodes, symptoms and impairment, fewer hospitalizations) and better psycho-social functioning than people receiving the BEP alone or the attention control condition. 3. People receiving the full BEP package will report greater satisfaction with the intervention than those in the other BEP conditions and in the attention control condition. 4. The health service costs associated with hospitalizations and visits to health practitioners will be significantly different between the groups.
Interventions
There are Three different conditions in this study: two treatment and one minimal attention (control). All conditions involve web-based information/education, delivered over 8 consecutive weeks, about BD.
(1) BEP: This is the basic online Bipolar Education Program (BEP). The BEP consists of 8 web-based modules, which participants receive one per week, covering information about diagnosis, causes, treatments, management of BD as well as testimonies from well-known people with BD. Participants
There are Three different conditions in this study: two treatment and one minimal attention (control). All conditions involve web-based information/education, delivered over 8 consecutive weeks, about BD. (1) BEP: This is the basic online Bipolar Education Program (BEP). The BEP consists of 8 web-based modules, which participants receive one per week, covering information about diagnosis, causes, treatments, management of BD as well as testimonies from well-known people with BD. Participants complete and submit workbook tasks related to each of the modules. (2) BEP+ Enhanced Informed Support: This condition consists of the online BEP described above as well as receiving weekly email support from an informed support person. The “Informed Supporter” is someone who is successfully managing their BD and trained to provide email support to participants. In addition the "informed supporter" will help to develop and implement a ‘Stay-Well Plan”. A “Stay Well Plan” consists of strategies to help people manage their BD.
Sponsors
Dr Judy Proudfoot, Black Dog Institute, University of NSW
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Blinded (masking used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Received diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder from a General Practitioner or Psychiatrist within last twelve months.Has a managing health professional who takes responsibility for the treatment of their bipolar disorder and whom they see regularly. Has access to internet, email and printer, and is computer-literate.Living in Australia.Able to read and write English.
Exclusion criteria
under 18 years of age Was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder more than 12months ago Does not have a managing health professional Does not have access to the internet Does not live in Australia
Outcome results
None listed