Development of a Patient-Centered Software System to Facilitate Effective Management of Bipolar Disorder

Abstract

Objective: Self-management of bipolar disorder (BD) is an important component of treatment.

Methods: We developed a patient-centered computational software system based on concepts from nonlinear systems (chaos) theory with mobile access to assist in managing BD known as KIOS. KIOS tracks interacting symptoms to determine theprecise state of a BD patient. Once the patient's state is identified and the trajectory of the patient established, specific advice is generated to help manage the course of the disease. KIOS also provides analytics that can be used by clinicians and researchers to track outcomes and the course of illness. A 12-week field test was completed.

Results: In 20 BD subjects, use of KIOS was associated with improvements in primary symptom categories of BD. Usability and generated advice were rated as a median of 6 out of a maximum of 7.

Conclusions: The KIOS focus on change illuminates problems in the same way that humans experience them, implying that the future state will be consequent to changes made to impact the current state. Randomized clinical trial is indicated.

Keywords: bipolar; chronic disease; patient guidance; self-assessment; smart phone; treatment.