The effect of tele-nursing counseling on functioning and medication adherence in individuals with bipolar disorder: A randomized controlled trial.

AIM: This study was conducted to determine the effect of tele-nursing counseling on functioning and medication adherence among individuals with bipolar disorder.

METHOD: The research was directed utilizing a randomized controlled experimental design with pretest and posttest control groups. The study included 70 individuals (experimental = 35, control = 35) who were followed at a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC). The experimental group received structured tele-nursing counseling consisting of weekly telephone interviews and supportive text messages for eight weeks. The control group continued to receive standard clinical care. Data were gathered utilizing the Introductory Information Form, the Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST), and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS).

RESULTS

At the end of the eight-week intervention, there was a statistically significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of functional levels (adjusted between-group difference [experimental minus control] = -6.8, 95% CI: -9.8 to -3.7; p < 0.001) and medication adherence (adjusted between-group difference = -2.11, 95% CI: -2.4 to -1.8; p < 0.001), adjusting for baseline scores.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that tele-nursing counseling may be an influential supportive intervention for cultivating functioning and medication adherence among individuals with bipolar disorder.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT07404943 (Retrospectively registered, February 2026).