Effectiveness of interpersonal social rhythm therapy applied to individuals with bipolar disorder: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to review the randomized controlled studies screened to evaluate the effectiveness of Interpersonal Relationship Social Rhythm Therapy in individuals with bipolar disorder and to systematically examine the data obtained from the studies.
METHODS: A total of 4136 studies published in 2005–2020 on the subject, which were searched in PubMed, Science Direct, EBSCHO Host, Google Academic, and Psychiatry Index databases with the combination of “interpersonal social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) and bipolar disorder,” “IPSRT and mood disorder,” “IPSRT and affective disorder,” “IPSRT and bipolar disorder,” “IPSRT and mood disorder,” “IPSRT and affective disorder” keywords between July–December 2022, were examined. A total of seven publications that met the inclusion criteria were included in the study and evaluated in terms of results. In the research, systematic review method was used.
RESULTS: When the studies included in the research were examined, it was seen that IPSRT applied to individuals with bipolar disorder was effective in preventing relapses and increasing functionality. Research findings also emphasize that programmed interventions other than IPSRT are effective in increasing the functionality of individuals with bipolar disorder and reducing relapses.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: As a result of this study, it is thought that the practice of social rhythm-based interventions by psychiatric nurses in individuals with bipolar disorder will increase the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy and the quality of nursing care, and it is considered that it will be important to conduct more research on this subject.