Morton Emma, Hole Rachelle, O'Brien Heather, Li Linda C, Barnes Steven J, Michalak Erin E
School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, BC, Canada.
J Affect Disord. 2025 Aug 15;383:374-384. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.04.107. Epub 2025 Apr 24.
Self-monitoring is key to detecting and preventing mood episodes in bipolar-disorder (BD). An increasing number of smartphone apps have been developed to facilitate this aspect of self-management; however, the feasibility and efficacy of these interventions is heterogenous. To improve understanding of the subjective experience of app-based self-monitoring interventions for BD, the present study describes a qualitative investigation of the perspectives of individuals participating in an evaluation of a novel self-management app.
Twenty-five individuals with BD were given access to PolarUs, an app-based self-management intervention, and were later questioned about perceptions of and engagement with this tool. Thematic analysis was used to identify important aspects of the experience of self-monitoring as part of an app-based intervention.
Four themes describing experiences of self-monitoring were generated. These included increased self-awareness, the use of self-monitoring to guide self-management, positive and negative emotional responses to self-monitoring, and unmet needs for self-monitoring apps. Three subthemes describing unmet needs were identified, including the provision of proactive coping suggestions, support reviewing data, and tracking additional symptoms, behaviours and life areas.
The present study highlights the importance of taking the subjective experience of users into account during the development, evaluation, and implementation of app-based monitoring interventions in BD. Implications for the use of passively collected data and personalisation of app delivery are discussed.
自我监测是双相情感障碍（BD）中检测和预防情绪发作的关键。越来越多的智能手机应用程序已被开发出来，以促进这方面的自我管理；然而，这些干预措施的可行性和有效性存在差异。为了更好地理解基于应用程序的双相情感障碍自我监测干预措施的主观体验，本研究描述了一项对参与新型自我管理应用程序评估的个体观点的定性调查。
25名双相情感障碍患者可以使用基于应用程序的自我管理干预措施PolarUs，随后对他们对该工具的看法和使用情况进行了询问。采用主题分析法来确定作为基于应用程序干预一部分的自我监测体验的重要方面。
产生了四个描述自我监测体验的主题。这些主题包括自我意识增强、利用自我监测指导自我管理、对自我监测的积极和消极情绪反应以及自我监测应用程序未满足的需求。确定了三个描述未满足需求的子主题，包括提供积极的应对建议、支持数据审查以及跟踪其他症状、行为和生活领域。
本研究强调了在双相情感障碍基于应用程序的监测干预措施的开发、评估和实施过程中考虑用户主观体验的重要性。讨论了被动收集数据的使用和应用程序交付个性化的影响。
