Myths About Bipolar Affective Disorder: The Role of Structured Group Psychoeducation Therapy

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Bipolar Affective Disorder
• Interventions: Behavioral: Brief Structured Psychoeducation Group Therapy

• Registration Number: NCT00474357
• Lead Sponsor: Lev-Hasharon Mental Healtlh Center

Brief Summary

This study will examine:

1) The impact of psycho education group therapy sessions relating to beliefs/myths associated with bipolar affective disorder (BAD) on the emotional wellbeing, clinical course and cognition of individuals diagnosed with BAD 2) Will examine the existence of those same beliefs among the various caregivers - psychiatrists, general practitioners, social workers, and psychiatric nurses.

The investigators hypothesize that psychoeducation group therapy will be effective in refuting the myths and will lead to better treatment adherence, longer remissions, fewer hospitalizations, improved self esteem, increased optimism, and better control over the disease process. The investigators also believe that they will identify some beliefs/myths or preconceived notions that are common to both caregivers and individuals with BAD.

Detailed Description

Methods:

Effect psychoeducation:

Study population - 30 patients diagnosed with BAD treated in the outpatient clinic, in a state of remission will be evaluated with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Young Mania Rating Scale, and will then participate in 7 weekly sessions of brief structured psycho education therapy Control group - 30 patients diagnosed with BAD treated in the outpatient clinic, in a state of remission will be evaluated with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Young Mania Rating Scale. In addition both groups will complete the Snyder Hope Scale, Accepting the Mental Illness Label Scale and a questionnaire regarding Myths in BAD prior to the study, and when the study group finishes their group therapy sessions. (Controls will not participate in the psychoeducation group therapy).

Caregivers beliefs:

50 caregivers from various professions will complete the questionnaire regarding the myths, once only.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2007-05
• Study First Submitted: 2007-05-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2007-05-15
• Study First Posted: 2007-05-16
• Status Verified: 2008-05
• Primary Completion: 2008-10
• Study Completion: 2008-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2010-12-16
• Last Update Posted: 2010-12-17

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 110

Inclusion Criteria

• DSM-IV diagnosis of BAD
• State of remission

Exclusion Criteria

• HAM-D score < 10
• YMRS score < 12
• Has a guardian for either self or property

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
1	Brief Structured Psychoeducation Group Therapy	Bipolar patients participating in psychoeducation intervention

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Accepting Mental Illness Scale	7 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Hope Scale	7 weeks
Myths about BAD questionnaire	7 weeks

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Lev Hasharon Mental Health Center; 🇮🇱 Netanya, Israel