Section - Quick Takes

03. Effects of a Smartphone-Based Self-Management Intervention for Individuals With Bipolar Disorder on Relapse, Symptom Burden, and Quality of Life

Published on April 1, 2023 Certification expiration date: April 1, 2026

James Phelps, M.D.

Research Editor - Psychopharmacology Institute

Key Points

In people with a diagnosis of bipolar I, a smartphone app for symptom monitoring and behavioral guidance (with coaching on how to use it and encouragement to do so) lowered the risk of relapse into a mood episode but only in patients who were inherently at lower risk of such a recurrence.
By comparison, participants who had continuous or prodromal symptoms before the intervention did not show an intervention effect, perhaps because this group also had multiple indicators of more severe illness and more challenging life circumstances.

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If you’ve tried to get your patients to do self-monitoring, something like a daily mood chart, you know how hard that is and how low the adherence rates. So, wouldn’t it be great if, with their consent, you could just use their smartphone to get objective data on things like energy and activity? For example, in a study of patients with bipolar disorders, the duration of incoming and outgoing calls correlated with their scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Likewise, the number of outgoing text messages a day correlated with scores on the Young Mania Rating Scale. But of course, many patients would be reluctant to have their phone even gather those data, let alone share them with you straight away. So, instead, here’s a study of a smartphone app that generates daily queries about mood and energy, and then users are in charge of responding to these queries.

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04. E-Cigarette Use Patterns, Flavors, and Device Characteristics Associated With Quitting Smoking Among a U.S. Sample of Adults Using E-Cigarettes in a Smoking Cessation Attempt

Learning Objectives:

Evaluate 2 studies, which suggest that clozapine can decrease the use of cannabis among patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Examine research literature on 5 novel approaches to treatment-resistant depression.
Evaluate a landmark randomized trial of a smartphone app for relapse prevention in patients with bipolar I disorder.
Examine variables that might influence success when patients attempt to stop smoking using e-cigarettes.
Determine whether pharmacogenomic testing affects antidepressant medication selection and whether such testing leads to better clinical outcomes.

Original Release Date: April 1, 2023

Review and Re-release Date: March 1, 2024

Expiration Date: April 1, 2026

Expert: James Phelps, M.D.

Medical Editor: Melissa Mariano, M.D.

Relevant Financial Disclosures:

James R Phelps declares the following interests:

- McGraw-Hill: Royalties

- W.W. Norton & Co.: Royalties

All of the relevant financial relationships listed above have been mitigated by Medical Academy and the Psychopharmacology Institute.

Contact Information: For questions regarding the content or access to this activity, contact us at support@psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

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Participants must complete the activity online during the valid credit period that is noted above.

Follow these steps to earn CME credit:

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Complete the Post Activity Evaluation for providing the necessary feedback for continuing accreditation purposes and for the development of future activities. NOTE: Completing the Post Activity Evaluation after the quiz is required to receive the earned credit.
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This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Medical Academy LLC and the Psychopharmacology Institute. Medical Academy is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation Statement

Medical Academy designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.