Wenze, S.J., Armey, M.F., & Miller, I.W. (2014). Feasibility and acceptability of a mobile intervention to improve treatment adherence in bipolar disorder: A pilot study. Behavior Modification, 38(4), 497-515. PMCID: PMC4087107.
For individuals with bipolar disorder, not taking medications or attending appointments contributes to worse mental health outcomes. In this study, the authors developed and tested an intervention to improve treatment adherence. The Improving Adherence in Bipolar Disorders (IABD) program used an ecological momentary intervention framework to target knowledge, behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs about treatment to encourage appointment attendance and continuous use of prescription medications. Fourteen participants with bipolar disorder were given personal digital assistants (PDAs) with the IABD program. The program reminded participants to login and complete a brief assessment twice daily. After assessing participants’ medication and appointment adherence, current mood and psychiatric symptoms, the program would present participants with relevant messages to encourage treatment adherence. Overall, participants felt the program was helpful. While participants reported no changes in concerns about treatment, and medication or appointment adherence while using the program, the severity of depressive symptoms decreased. Because missing appointments and medications was rare in the small sample, future research should examine the effects of the IABD program in a larger group of patients.