title: An exploratory randomised controlled trial of a web-based integrated bipolar parenting intervention (IBPI) for bipolar parents of young children (aged 3-10).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Communication, impulse control and motivation can all be affected by Bipolar Disorder (BD) making consistent parenting more difficult than for parents without mental health problems. Children of parents with BD (CPB) are at significantly increased risk of a range of mental health issues including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression, substance use, and sleep disorders. Furthermore, CPB are also at elevated risk for BD compared to the general population. This paper describes the rationale and protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT) designed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a new online intervention providing interactive psychoeducational information and parenting support for parents with BD.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article describes a single-blind randomised controlled trial comparing an Integrated Bipolar Parenting Intervention (IBPI) in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) with TAU alone. Participants will be recruited from across the UK from mental health services and through self-referral. The primary outcome of the study is the feasibility and acceptability of IBPI as indicated by recruitment to target, use of the intervention site, and retention to follow-up. Parents with BD allocated to the IBPI condition will have access to the intervention for 16 weeks. Effect size estimates will be obtained with respect to child behaviour, parenting skills and measures of parental mental health using measures taken at baseline (0), and at 16, 24, 36, and 48 weeks post randomization.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first randomised controlled trial of an integrated bipolar disorder parenting intervention. The benefits and challenges of delivering this online intervention, and evaluation using online RCT methodology are discussed.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN75279027 Registered 12 August 2013.
authors.affiliation: Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, LA1 4YT, Lancaster, UK. s.jones7@lancaster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, LA1 4YT, Lancaster, UK. l.wainwright@lancaster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Laura D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Wainwright
authors.affiliation: Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, LA1 4YT, Lancaster, UK. jovanosk@exchange.lancs.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jovanoska
authors.affiliation: Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, LA1 4YT, Lancaster, UK. h.vincent@lancaster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.affiliation: CHICAS, Faculty of Health and Medicine Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YT, UK. p.diggle@lancaster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Diggle
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. rachel.calam@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Calam
authors.affiliation: Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, LA1 4YT, Lancaster, UK. r.j.parker@lancaster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.affiliation: Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, LA1 4YT, Lancaster, UK. r.long2@lancaster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, LA1 4YT, Lancaster, UK. d.mayes@lancaster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mayes
authors.affiliation: Parenting and Family Support Centre, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. matts@psy.uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.affiliation: Spectrum Centre for Mental Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, LA1 4YT, Lancaster, UK. f.lobban@lancaster.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lobban
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D008603:Mental Health; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted