title: A pilot study of a combined group and individual functional remediation program for patients with bipolar I disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bipolar disorder has been associated with a decrease in cognitive functioning affecting the functional outcome of patients independent of mood states. However, there have only been few attempts to investigate the effects of functional remediation for patients with bipolar disorder. The current study investigates the feasibility and effectiveness of a combined group and individual functional remediation program for bipolar disorder, including both patients and their caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve participants diagnosed with bipolar I disorder, and their caregivers, were treated with a combined group and individual functional remediation program. The feasibility of the program was evaluated by dropout rates and participants' evaluations of the program. The effectiveness of the program was explored through the assessment of functional outcome at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and follow-up three months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicate a high degree of satisfaction and a low dropout rate with the current program. Assessment of outcomes suggests improved functioning in the areas of autonomy and occupational functioning, evolving from baseline to follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to a small sample size and the lack of a control group the results are preliminary.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This relatively brief intervention offers a more tailor-made approach to functional remediation and shows good feasibility, acceptability and improvement of functioning in patients with bipolar I disorder.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Service Organisation North Holland North, Division for Specialised Treatment, Centre for Old Age and Psychosomatic Medicine, Hoorn, The Netherlands. Electronic address: S.Zyto@ggz-nhn.nl.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zyto
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Nienke
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jabben
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Service Organisation North Holland North, Division for Specialised Treatment, Treatment Centre for Bipolar Disorders, Alkmaar, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Peter F J
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Schulte
authors.affiliation: VU University, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Athena Institute for Research on Innovation and Communication in Health and Life Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Regeer
authors.affiliation: VU University Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ralph W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Kupka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D017028:Caregivers; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Bipolar disorder; Cognitive dysfunction; Functional remediation; Outcome; Psychosocial functioning