Group-based psychosocial intervention for bipolar disorder: randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Psychosocial interventions have the potential to enhance relapse prevention in bipolar disorder.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a manualised group-based intervention for people with bipolar disorder in a naturalistic setting.


METHODS
Eighty-four participants were randomised to receive the group-based intervention (a 12-week programme plus three booster sessions) or treatment as usual, and followed up with monthly telephone interviews (for 9 months post-intervention) and face-to-face interviews (at baseline, 3 months and 12 months).


RESULTS
Participants who received the group-based intervention were significantly less likely to have a relapse of any type and spent less time unwell. There was a reduced rate of relapse in the treatment group for pooled relapses of any type (hazard ratio 0.43, 95% CI 0.20-0.95; t(343) = -2.09, P = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that the group-based intervention reduces relapse risk in bipolar disorder.
Castle
David
D
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, and St Vincent's Health, Fitzroy 3065, Australia.
White
Carolynne
C
Chamberlain
James
J
Berk
Michael
M
Berk
Lesley
L
Lauder
Sue
S
Murray
Greg
G
Schweitzer
Isaac
I
Piterman
Leon
L
Gilbert
Monica
M
D000328:Adult; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018692:Antimanic Agents