Research aim: To determine the effect, feasibility and acceptability of psychoeducation for patients with Bipolar Disorder in Rwanda.
Design: Randomised controlled trial
Population: 150 patients aged 18 or older diagnosed with bipolar disorder type I or II, according to DSM-V criteria by a trained psychiatrist. Patients who have previously undergone structured psychological interventions, have mental retardation, insufficient understanding of Kinyarwanda, or are deaf, will be excluded.
Methods: This study is a three-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing group psychoeducation for patients only, patients and relatives, and a waiting list group. A district trial will compare psychoeducation delivered by district mental health nurses versus referral hospital staff. Primary outcomes include symptom severity, relapse, and hospitalization rates. Secondary outcomes involve quality of life, medical adherence, and self-stigmatization. Data will be collected at baseline, post-intervention, and at 3 and 6 months follow-up.
Primary investigators: Caroline Juhl Arnbjerg, MD, PhD and Emmanuel Musoni-Rwililza, MD, PhD
Supervisors: Per Kallestrup, MD, PhD, Jessica Carlsson, MD, PhD, Darius Gishoma, Msc Psychology, PhD
Publications
Musoni-Rwililiza, E., Arnbjerg, C. J., Murekatete, C., Carlsson, J., Kallestrup, P., & Gishoma, D. (2022). Group psychoeducation for persons with bipolar disorder in Rwanda: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 23(1), 1-8.
Arnbjerg, C. J., Musoni-Rwililiza, E., Rurangwa, N. U., Bendtsen, M. G., Murekatete, C., Gishoma, D., ... & Kallestrup, P. (2023). Help-seeking patterns and level of care for individuals with bipolar disorder in Rwanda. PLOS Global Public Health, 3(10).
Arnbjerg, C. J., Rurangwa, N. U., Musoni-Rwililiza, E., Gishoma, D., Carlsson, J., & Kallestrup, P. (2022). Intervention trials for adults with bipolar disorder in low-income and lower-middle-income countries: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 311, 256-266.
Arnbjerg, C. J., Musoni-Rwililiza, E., Rurangwa, N. U., Bendtsen, M. G., Murekatete, C., Gishoma, D., ... & Kallestrup, P. (2024). Effectiveness of structured group psychoeducation for people with bipolar disorder in Rwanda: A randomized open-label superiority trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 356, 405-413.
Musoni-Rwililiza, E., Arnbjerg, C. J., Rurangwa, N. U., Carlsson, J., Kallestrup, P., Vindbjerg, E., & Gishoma, D. (2024). Adaption and validation of the Rwandese version of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire for the screening of bipolar disorder. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 132.