title: A randomized trial on the efficacy of group psychoeducation in the prophylaxis of recurrences in bipolar patients whose disease is in remission.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies on individual psychotherapy indicate that some interventions may reduce the number of recurrences in bipolar patients. However, there has been a lack of structured, well-designed, blinded, controlled studies demonstrating the efficacy of group psychoeducation to prevent recurrences in patients with bipolar I and II disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty bipolar I and II outpatients in remission (Young Mania Rating Scale score <6, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 score <8) for at least 6 months prior to inclusion in the study, who were receiving standard pharmacologic treatment, were included in a controlled trial. Subjects were matched for age and sex and randomized to receive, in addition to standard psychiatric care, 21 sessions of group psychoeducation or 21 sessions of nonstructured group meetings. Subjects were assessed monthly during the 21-week treatment period and throughout the 2-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Group psychoeducation significantly reduced the number of relapsed patients and the number of recurrences per patient, and increased the time to depressive, manic, hypomanic, and mixed recurrences. The number and length of hospitalizations per patient were also lower in patients who received psychoeducation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Group psychoeducation is an efficacious intervention to prevent recurrence in pharmacologically treated patients with bipolar I and II disorder.
authors.affiliation: Bipolar Disorders Program, Institut d'Investigacions Biomédiques August Pi Sunyer-IDIBAPS Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Colom
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vieta
authors.forename: Anabel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martinez-Aran
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reinares
authors.forename: Jose Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Goikolea
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benabarre
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Torrent
authors.forename: Merce
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Comes
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Corbella
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parramon
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Corominas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome