Evaluating discussion board engagement in the MoodSwings online self-help program for bipolar disorder: protocol for an observational prospective cohort study
Gliddon et al. BMC Psychiatry
Evaluating discussion board engagement in the MoodSwings online self-help program for bipolar disorder: protocol for an observational prospective cohort study
Emma Gliddon 0 1
Sue Lauder 0 2
Lesley Berk 0 5 6
Victoria Cosgrove 3 4
David Grimm 4
Seetal Dodd 0 1
Trisha Suppes 3 4
Michael Berk 0 1 6 7
0 The Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne , Parkville , Australia
1 IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University , Geelong , Australia
2 The Collaborative Research Network, Federation University , Ballarat , Australia
3 Stanford University School of Medicine , Stanford, California , USA
4 VA Palo Alto Health Care System , Palo Alto, California , USA
5 School of Psychology, Deakin University , Burwood , Australia
6 Orygen - The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health , Parkville , Australia
7 Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health , Parkville , Australia
Background: Online, self-guided programs exist for a wide range of mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, and discussion boards are often part of these interventions. The impact engagement with these discussion boards has on the psychosocial well-being of users is largely unknown. More specifically we need to clarify the influence of the type and level of engagement on outcomes. The primary aim of this exploratory study is to determine if there is a relationship between different types (active, passive or none) and levels (high, mid and low) of discussion board engagement and improvement in outcome measures from baseline to follow up, with a focus on self-reported social support, stigma, quality of life and levels of depression and mania. The secondary aim of this study is to identify any differences in demographic variables among discussion users. Methods/design: The present study is a sub-study of the MoodSwings 2.0 3-arm randomised controlled trial (discussion board only (arm 1), discussion board plus psychoeducation (arm 2), discussion board, psychoeducation plus cognitive behavioural therapy-based tools (arm 3)). Discussion engagement will be measured via online participant activity monitoring. Assessments include online self-report as well as blinded phone interviews at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months follow up. Discussion: The results of this study will help to inform future programs about whether or not discussion boards are a beneficial inclusion in online self-help interventions. It will also help to determine if motivating users to actively engage in online discussion is necessary, and if so, what level of engagement is optimal to produce the most benefit. Future programs may benefit through being able to identify those most likely to poorly engage, based on demographic variables, so motivational strategies can be targeted accordingly.
Bipolar disorder; Internet; Online; Support group; Mental health
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May 16 2013 (NCT02106078)
ACTRN12614000409673, U1111-1155-4445, 1R34MH091384, 1R34MH091284
Contact for public queries
Emma Gliddon, BAppSci(Psych), BSci(Hons)
Contact for scientific queries
Prof Michael Berk, FFPsych, PhD
Primary registry and trial
identifying number
Source(s) of monetary or
material support
Countries of recruitment
Health condition(s) or
problem(s) studied
National Institute of Mental Health
University of Melbourne
VA Palo Alto Health Care System
Moderated discussion board
Date of first enrolment
Observational prospective cohort design
Intervention model: Single group
Internet-Based Interventions for Bipolar Disorder (MoodSwings 2)
Sub-study of a Randomized Trial of Internet-Based Interventions for Bipolar Disorder
- Current diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, or bipolar disorder not otherwise
specified (NOS) verified with the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic Manual for
Mental Disorders (SCID) mood disorders module.
- Access to a computer with internet access.
- Able to speak and read English proficiently.
- Some degree of medical supervision of bipolar disorder (sees a health professional at least
twice a year to discuss symptoms and treatment needs).
- Local access to emergency care.
- Current psychosis, as assessed in screening phone interview with the SCID psychotic screening
module.
- Acutely suicidal (defined as having a Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HAM-D] item 3
scores of = 3)
- Current mania, assessed using the SCID mood disorder module.
Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) [Time Frame: Change from Baseline to 3 months,
6 months, 9 months and 12 months]
Inventory of Stigma Experiences [Time Frame: Change from Baseline to 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months]
Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) [Time Frame: Change from Baseline to 3 months,
6 months, 9 months and 12 months]
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) [Time Frame: Change from Baseline to 3 months, 6 months,
9 months and 12 months]
Young Mania Rating Scale (YM (...truncated)