In the multilayered treatment of bipolar patients, medication treatment is the basic component. The relevance of additional psychosocial treatment has been shown in several controlled and uncontrolled studies. In particular, psychoeducation and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) seem to be effective concerning relapse prevention and symptom reduction. The aim of this 12 months randomised study was to examine the efficacy of a psychoeducation programme integrating cognitive behavioural elements in bipolar patients. We are presenting data at 3 months follow-up.

Medicated bipolar patients (CGI ≤ 3) were randomised to psychoeducation (intervention group) or waiting list (control group). The psychoeducation programme took place once a week over a period of 12 weeks, focusing on the following major topics: information on the origins of the illness, medical and psychological treatment options, how to detect symptoms and early warning signs, crisis management and how to maintain a regular lifestyle. The patients' knowledge of bipolar disorder, symptoms, social functioning, quality of life and medication compliance were assessed before and after the intervention and every three months for a total of 12 months. For the statistical analysis, mixed models were applied in order to evaluate group differences over time.

Forty patients have been randomised. On the outcome variables (symptoms, social functioning, knowledge), the patients receiving the early psychoeducation programme did numerically better on all variables than the control group. However, in terms of statistical significance, only trends could be detected.

Our findings support the benefits of psychoeducation in the management of bipolar disorder.