Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42312868›Full record

SynthesisBipolar disorders2026

Effectiveness of Family Interventions in Bipolar Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Madeha Umer, L Almendra Burgos M, Nyla Syed, Changjun Xu, Terri Rodak, Cindy-Lee Dennis, Farooq Naeem, Benoit Mulsant, Muhammad Ishrat Husain

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Bipolar disorders, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Madeha UmerCampbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-0958-1211
L Almendra Burgos MCampbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0009-0000-0031-4913
Nyla SyedFaculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Changjun XuCampbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Terri RodakMental Health Sciences Library, Department of Education, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Cindy-Lee DennisDepartment of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-0135-7242
Farooq NaeemCampbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0003-4760-4840
Benoit MulsantCampbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-0303-6450
Muhammad Ishrat HusainCampbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionBipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, which significantly affects both the individual and their family system. Given the psychosocial impact of BD on families, family interventions (FI) have emerged as a promising approach to improve treatment outcomes. This review explores the effectiveness of FI in managing BD, focusing on various intervention types, their outcomes, and clinical implications.

methodsThis review followed PRISMA guidelines and registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42023410879). We included studies involving adults diagnosed with BD and their family members, focusing on family-based interventions. Studies were identified through systematic searches in five bibliographic databases and managed using Covidence 2.0. Data extraction and synthesis included primary and secondary outcomes related to clinical, behavioral, and lifestyle measures. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool for quasi-experimental studies.

resultsFamily-focused interventions were found to reduce relapse rates, enhance medication adherence, and improve family communication. Psychoeducational interventions also demonstrated a significant reduction in symptom severity and hospitalization rates. However, findings regarding the long-term sustainability of these outcomes were mixed, and some interventions showed limited generalizability across diverse family structures and cultural contexts.

conclusionFIs are critical in treating BD by improving both clinical and relational outcomes. However, the heterogeneity of family structures and cultural factors calls for more tailored approaches to ensure long-term efficacy. Future research should focus on developing culturally sensitive interventions and exploring the mechanisms by which family dynamics influence treatment adherence and recovery in BD.

Indexed as

Bipolar DisorderFamilyFamily TherapyHumansBipolar disordercaregiversfamily interventionsfamily membersmental healthsystematic review

Identifiers

PMID42312868
PMCPMC13277394

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.