Peer Education for Bipolar Disorder

Overseen By Erin Michalak

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of British Columbia

Disqualifiers: Inability to communicate in English

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 8 weeks

44 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Self-management strategies can be used by individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) to cope with symptoms and improve quality of life (QoL). Peer-facilitated education programs have the potential to diversify delivery of self-management information by capitalizing on the expertise of individuals who live well with BD. We have co-designed a novel, peer-facilitated, QoL-focused, group education program for people living with BD. This project will involve administration of the program and an evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of this program for self-management of BD.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on education and self-management strategies rather than medication changes.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Peer Delivered Psychoeducation Program for bipolar disorder?

Research shows that psychoeducation, which involves teaching patients about their condition, can help people with bipolar disorder better understand and manage their illness. Studies indicate that both structured group psychoeducation and peer-led psychoeducation can improve patients' perceptions of their disorder and increase their trust in treatment, although peer-led groups may have higher dropout rates. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is peer education for bipolar disorder safe for humans?

The research does not specifically address safety concerns, but peer education and psychoeducation are generally considered safe as they involve sharing information and support rather than medical interventions. ^{1 2 5 6 7}

How is the Peer Delivered Psychoeducation Program treatment for bipolar disorder different from other treatments?

The Peer Delivered Psychoeducation Program is unique because it involves education about bipolar disorder delivered by trained peers who have personal experience with the condition, rather than by healthcare professionals. This peer-led approach can enhance understanding and acceptance of the disorder, potentially leading to better engagement and outcomes compared to traditional methods. ^{2 3 4 8 9}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for individuals living with bipolar disorder who are interested in improving their quality of life through self-management strategies. Participants should be willing to engage in a group education program led by peers who have experience thriving with bipolar disorder.

Inclusion Criteria

I am over 18, have bipolar disorder, can use the internet, speak English, led peer groups for a year, trained by Hope+Me, and passed a background check.

I am 18 or older, live in Canada, have BD, can understand English, and have internet access.

Exclusion Criteria

Inability to communicate in written and verbal English to a sufficient level to allow participation in the program and research activities

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

Training

Peer facilitators will attend a ~5.5 hour training session prior to commencing the program

1 day

Treatment

Participants engage in an 8-week peer-facilitated psychoeducation program with weekly two-hour sessions

8 weeks

8 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for efficacy and feedback is collected immediately after the program and 4 weeks post-intervention

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Peer Delivered Psychoeducation Program

Trial Overview The intervention being tested is a peer-delivered psychoeducation program designed to help those with bipolar disorder manage their condition and enhance their quality of life. The study will assess the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of this novel approach.

Participant Groups

Group I: Peer-Delivered Psychoeducation Program Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Individuals in this arm will complete the peer-delivered psychoeducation program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of British Columbia

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,506

Recruited

2,528,000+

Mood Disorders Association of Ontario

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

60+

Findings from Research

Psychoeducation significantly improves the management of bipolar disorder by enhancing patients' and families' understanding of the illness, which leads to better treatment compliance and reduced risk of relapse and hospitalization.

The systematic review indicates that psychoeducation should be integrated into the treatment plan for bipolar disorder, serving as a first-line psychological intervention alongside medication, although more focused studies on psychoeducation alone are needed to further validate its efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of psychoeducational approaches on bipolar disorders: a review of the literature. Rouget, BW., Aubry, JM.[2022]

The 'Entrelaços' Peer Support Program successfully engaged 246 participants over 18 months, leading to the formation of 7 independent mutual-help groups that have supported over 214 families in the community.

Participants reported increased empowerment and social support, transitioning from service users to peer providers, highlighting the program's effectiveness in integrating psychoeducation with problem-solving therapy in a cost-effective manner.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychoeducation and Problem-Solving Therapy as an Integrative Model of Mutual-Help Groups for People with Severe Mental Disorders: A Report from Brazil. Palmeira, L., Keusen, A., Carim, E., et al.[2021]

References

1. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of adjunctive peer support on perceptions of illness control and understanding in an online psychoeducation program for bipolar disorder: a randomised controlled trial. [2018]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical effectiveness and acceptability of structured group psychoeducation versus optimised unstructured peer support for patients with remitted bipolar disorder (PARADES): a pragmatic, multicentre, observer-blind, randomised controlled superiority trial. [2017]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A feasibility study of expert patient and community mental health team led bipolar psychoeducation groups: implementing an evidence based practice. [2021]

4. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Impact of psychoeducation on the disease concept in bipolar patients]. [2019]

5. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of psychoeducational approaches on bipolar disorders: a review of the literature. [2022]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A study of the real-world effectiveness of group psychoeducation for bipolar disorders: Is change in illness perception a key mediator of benefit? [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An online recovery plan program: can peer coaching increase participation? [2021]

8. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A multi-center naturalistic study of a newly designed 12-sessions group psychoeducation program for patients with bipolar disorder and their caregivers. [2020]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychoeducation and Problem-Solving Therapy as an Integrative Model of Mutual-Help Groups for People with Severe Mental Disorders: A Report from Brazil. [2021]