A Real-World Study of the Association between a Brief Group Psychoeducation and the Course of Bipolar Disorder

Abstract

Although pharmacotherapy is considered the first-line treatment for bipolar disorders (BD), adjunctive psychoeducation has proven its effectiveness in improving self-management of the disease and reducing relapse rates. Few studies have evaluated the effect of brief group psychoeducation on pragmatic variables, such as the number of hospitalizations. The aim of the present study was to assess the mid-term effect of a four-session group psychoeducation on course-related variables in BD. Thirty-two individuals with BD were included in the study. Sixteen were exposed to psychoeducation and were matched to sixteen nonexposed individuals who received their usual treatment. Both groups were compared on insight, treatment adherence, change in the number of hospitalizations and visits to the emergency services, occurrence rate after intervention, and time to the first psychiatric hospitalization and the first urgent attendance. There was a significant reduction in the mean number of hospitalizations and urgent attendances in the exposed group in comparison to the nonexposed group. The first urgent attendance was significantly sooner in the nonexposed cohort. There were no differences between groups in any of the other variables. This intervention has shown benefits for pragmatic variables of the disease course and may be a feasible and cost-effective intervention to routinely implement in the management of BD.

Factors associated with self-perceived treatment-resistance in bipolar disorder

“…[ 38 ] However, psychoeducation does not always improve the insight in patients with bipolar disorder. [ 39 ] In this study, 9 patients did not adhere to the treatment because of a lack of insight or other psychological issues. One patient misidentified her euthymic state as depressive by idealizing the hypomanic state.…”

Interventions for Strengthening General Self-Efficacy Beliefs in College Students: An Integrative Review

“…Psychoeducational-based interventions have the potential for broad reach, as they can be implemented by any knowledgeable professional to provide accurate information on health issues and enable effective self-management. Multiple pieces of evidence have indicated the efficacy of psychoeducational interventions in mental health (31)(32) , highlighting the central role of nurses in planning and executing programs with this approach (32) .…”

Intervenções para Fortalecimento das Crenças de Autoeficácia Geral em Estudantes Universitários: Revisão Integrativa

“…As intervenções baseadas na psicoeducação possuem um potencial de alcance amplo, uma vez que podem ser implementadas por qualquer profissional munido de conhecimento, com o objetivo de fornecer informações precisas sobre questões de saúde e possibilitar uma efetiva autogestão. Diversas evidências apontaram a eficácia de intervenções psicoeducacionais no âmbito da saúde mental (31)(32) , além de refletir o papel central do enfermeiro no planejamento e execução de programas com essa abordagem (32) .…”