The effect of Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) applied to individuals with bipolar disorder on biological rhythms and relapses: A randomized controlled study

Background: Research has shown that people with bipolar disorder often experience disruptions in their social rhythm patterns, leading to frequent episodes. Interpersonal Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) is designed to help maintain these social rhythms and extend the periods without episodes. Aims: This study aimed to assess the impact of IPSRT, grounded in Peplau's Interpersonal Relations theory, on biological rhythms, interpersonal relationships, and the frequency of relapses in individuals with bipolar disorder. Materials and methods: This randomized controlled trial utilized repeated assessments at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at one-month and three-month follow-up points. Data were collected from 34 individuals with bipolar disorder who were randomly selected and met the inclusion criteria. Participants completed the Introductory Information Form, the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scales (HDRS), the Biological Rhythm Assessment Interview (BRIAN), and the Interpersonal Competency Scales (ICS). Results: After undergoing IPSRT, the intervention group showed a statistically significant decrease in the average scores of the HDRS, YMRS, and BRIAN, while the ICS scores significantly increased. Conclusions: This study indicates that IPSRT, based on Peplau's Interpersonal Relations theory, effectively reduces symptoms of depression and mania in individuals with bipolar disorder and helps regulate their biological rhythms. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of IPSRT for this population.