Internet-Based Interventions for Bipolar Disorder

Summary

The investigators hope to learn whether access to online support and education can help people with Bipolar Disorder (BD) better manage their symptoms of depression.

Conditions

• Bipolar Disorder

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Psychoeducation

Online psychoeducation is only available to those randomized to Levels 2 and 3. The core modules of MoodSwings 2.0 will use videos and improved organization of content based on feedback from previous pilot work. Module topic areas include: 1. What is bipolar disorder? - Content about symptoms and diagnosis 2. Stress and triggers of illness 3. Medication and the biological basis of bipolar disorder 4. Depression - Symptoms, early detection and helpful strategies 5. Mania and hypomania - Symptoms, early detection and helpful strategies

BEHAVIORAL

Moderated Discussion Board

All groups will have access to asynchronous, moderated discussion boards. Assignment to discussion board will be stratified by randomization group (Level 1, 2 or 3). Level 1 access to the discussion board will serve as our "peer support" control condition, although we do expect some modest benefit from this intervention alone (Mead et al., 2010). The discussion boards will be moderated by trained clinicians (masters level or higher). Discussion boards will be asynchronous, with all posts screened by the moderator(s) before appearing to the group.

BEHAVIORAL

Interactive Psychosocial Tools

Online psychosocial tools are only available to those randomized to Level 3. They include structured mood monitoring, medication monitoring, and life charting visual tools. There are also interactive worksheets that encourage awareness of negative thoughts and strategies to challenge them, help participants weight the costs and benefits of different behaviors, problem solving and goal setting, and reinforcing self-affirmation. Participants have the opportunity to build a record of personal triggers of illness and illness profile - including early warning signs, and symptoms typically experienced during an episode of illness, as well as a personal "relapse prevention plan."

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Melbourne

  collaborator OTHER

• VA Palo Alto Health Care System

  lead FED

Principal Investigators

• Patricia Suppes, MD, PhD · VA Palo Alto Health Care System & Stanford University School of Medicine

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

21 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2014-01-31

Primary Completion

2015-12-31

Completion

2016-06-30

Countries

• United States

Study Locations