The feasibility and acceptability of mood on track: an online psychological intervention for bipolar disorder

Abstract Background Despite evidence that psychological interventions improve recovery for bipolar disorder, access to these in the United Kingdom is limited; online delivery provides opportunities to increase this. Mood on Track is a psychological therapy programme for bipolar disorder combining a...

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Main Authors: Elizabeth Newton, Gurvir Matharu, Christopher A. Jones, Arielle Kaufman, Radha Yagnik, Sarona McDonald, Jessica Makepeace, Melissa Dwyer, Alex Copello
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-06-01
Series:International Journal of Bipolar Disorders
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40345-025-00385-8
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author Elizabeth Newton
Gurvir Matharu
Christopher A. Jones
Arielle Kaufman
Radha Yagnik
Sarona McDonald
Jessica Makepeace
Melissa Dwyer
Alex Copello
author_facet Elizabeth Newton
Gurvir Matharu
Christopher A. Jones
Arielle Kaufman
Radha Yagnik
Sarona McDonald
Jessica Makepeace
Melissa Dwyer
Alex Copello
author_sort Elizabeth Newton
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Despite evidence that psychological interventions improve recovery for bipolar disorder, access to these in the United Kingdom is limited; online delivery provides opportunities to increase this. Mood on Track is a psychological therapy programme for bipolar disorder combining a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy group intervention with individual relapse prevention. The present study reports on a feasibility and acceptability trial of Mood on Track online, implemented within a routine clinical service, in preparation for a Randomised Controlled Trial. The online version retains the therapeutic elements of the face-to-face intervention, but is delivered via Zoom over more sessions and includes online exercises and breakout rooms. Method A within-groups non-randomised longitudinal interventional study of feasibility and acceptability. Participants completed psychometric questionnaires at four time points from baseline to six months post-group intervention to evaluate change in recovery. Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and a future study were assessed by measuring recruitment, intervention attendance and outcome measure completion. Results Rates of recruitment, intervention completion and outcome measure completion demonstrate that Mood on Track online and a larger future trial are feasible and acceptable. Analysis of efficacy found that the primary outcome measure of personal recovery on the Bipolar Recovery Questionnaire significantly increased between the start and end of the group intervention and continued to significantly increase at follow-up. Scores on the secondary outcome measure of the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire decreased significantly between the start and end of the group intervention. Conclusions The present study provides quantitative evidence that a future RCT of Mood on Track online is feasible in terms of recruitment, delivery procedures and data collection. The findings provide promising evidence that Mood on Track online is an acceptable intervention to service users and shows signs of efficacy through significantly increased recovery and reduced anxiety. This adds to literature demonstrating that online psychological interventions are effective and provide an innovative method for delivery. Provision of digital therapies could increase offer and take-up of therapy for people with bipolar disorder and improve recovery.
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spelling doaj-art-bae5a9863152494a8df72f20808ae4cf2025-08-20T02:39:44ZengSpringerOpenInternational Journal of Bipolar Disorders2194-75112025-06-0113111310.1186/s40345-025-00385-8The feasibility and acceptability of mood on track: an online psychological intervention for bipolar disorderElizabeth Newton0Gurvir Matharu1Christopher A. Jones2Arielle Kaufman3Radha Yagnik4Sarona McDonald5Jessica Makepeace6Melissa Dwyer7Alex Copello8Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustBirmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustUniversity of BirminghamBirmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustBirmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustBirmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustBirmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustBirmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation TrustUniversity of BirminghamAbstract Background Despite evidence that psychological interventions improve recovery for bipolar disorder, access to these in the United Kingdom is limited; online delivery provides opportunities to increase this. Mood on Track is a psychological therapy programme for bipolar disorder combining a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy group intervention with individual relapse prevention. The present study reports on a feasibility and acceptability trial of Mood on Track online, implemented within a routine clinical service, in preparation for a Randomised Controlled Trial. The online version retains the therapeutic elements of the face-to-face intervention, but is delivered via Zoom over more sessions and includes online exercises and breakout rooms. Method A within-groups non-randomised longitudinal interventional study of feasibility and acceptability. Participants completed psychometric questionnaires at four time points from baseline to six months post-group intervention to evaluate change in recovery. Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and a future study were assessed by measuring recruitment, intervention attendance and outcome measure completion. Results Rates of recruitment, intervention completion and outcome measure completion demonstrate that Mood on Track online and a larger future trial are feasible and acceptable. Analysis of efficacy found that the primary outcome measure of personal recovery on the Bipolar Recovery Questionnaire significantly increased between the start and end of the group intervention and continued to significantly increase at follow-up. Scores on the secondary outcome measure of the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire decreased significantly between the start and end of the group intervention. Conclusions The present study provides quantitative evidence that a future RCT of Mood on Track online is feasible in terms of recruitment, delivery procedures and data collection. The findings provide promising evidence that Mood on Track online is an acceptable intervention to service users and shows signs of efficacy through significantly increased recovery and reduced anxiety. This adds to literature demonstrating that online psychological interventions are effective and provide an innovative method for delivery. Provision of digital therapies could increase offer and take-up of therapy for people with bipolar disorder and improve recovery.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40345-025-00385-8Bipolar disorderMood on trackGroup cognitive behavioural therapyOnline group interventionsPsychological therapyRelapse prevention
spellingShingle Elizabeth Newton
Gurvir Matharu
Christopher A. Jones
Arielle Kaufman
Radha Yagnik
Sarona McDonald
Jessica Makepeace
Melissa Dwyer
Alex Copello
The feasibility and acceptability of mood on track: an online psychological intervention for bipolar disorder
International Journal of Bipolar Disorders
Bipolar disorder
Mood on track
Group cognitive behavioural therapy
Online group interventions
Psychological therapy
Relapse prevention
title The feasibility and acceptability of mood on track: an online psychological intervention for bipolar disorder
title_full The feasibility and acceptability of mood on track: an online psychological intervention for bipolar disorder
title_fullStr The feasibility and acceptability of mood on track: an online psychological intervention for bipolar disorder
title_full_unstemmed The feasibility and acceptability of mood on track: an online psychological intervention for bipolar disorder
title_short The feasibility and acceptability of mood on track: an online psychological intervention for bipolar disorder
title_sort feasibility and acceptability of mood on track an online psychological intervention for bipolar disorder
topic Bipolar disorder
Mood on track
Group cognitive behavioural therapy
Online group interventions
Psychological therapy
Relapse prevention
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40345-025-00385-8
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