Effectiveness of the Group Psychoeducation Program in Bipolar Disorder

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess effectiveness of the group psychoeducation program in euthymic bipolar disorder. Method: Sixty patients with bipolar disorder followed at the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic of Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital were enrolled into the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, 30 patients were followed with medical treatment while 30 patients participated in a group psychoeducation program along with medical therapy. The program consisted of sixteen weekly sessions and each session lasted 90 minutes. Hamilton Depression Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale, Bipolar Functional Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning Scale, Morisky Treatment Adherence Scale and The Scale for the Assessment of Insight scales were applied to the patients. Non-parametric Mann Whitney-U and Wilcoxon tests were used to assess effectiveness of the group psychoeducation program. Findings: There was no significant change in depression and mania scores with the adminsitration of group psychoeducation, however, those included in group psychoeducation showed a significant increase in general functioning level, insight, and treatment adherence. In addition, psychoeducation program improved stigmatization, introversion, and daily functioning scores. Depression and mania scores were significantly higher at the 16th week compared to at baseline in the patients not applied group psychoeducation. Group psychoeducation program increased initiative and occupational functionality in this study. Conclusion: Group psychoeducation program increased the functionality and insight of the patients in this study. The administration of psychosocial interventions in clinical practice might improve the functionality of patients with bipolar disorder. Structured prospective studies are needed to evaluate the short and long-term effects of psychosocial interventions in bipolar disorder.